Did you know you can find wee flippered friends just six kilometres outside the CBD? Yes, fairy penguins live in St Kilda’s breakwater – the rocky outcrop at the end of the pier, past the kiosk. Over the past year or so there’s been an overhaul of St Kilda Pier in an effort to preserve the landmark for future generations. Now, the St Kilda Pier breakwater has reopened and is welcoming visitors keen to see one of Melbourne’s coolest tourist attractions.
There are now three scheduled nightly viewings of St Kilda’s penguin parade and there are roaming Penguin Rangers to ensure everyone’s (including the penguins) safety. Tours are free, but you need to book a ticket via Parks Victoria’s website. Tours are expected to run nightly from February to April 2021.
There are around 1,400 little penguins that call the breakwater home so remember to be safe and keep your distance. Feeding and handling the penguins is prohibited and no flash photography is allowed. More information is available here.