We found two penguins that evening.

One appeared briefly on the rocks, looked around with the quiet confidence of something that knows it belongs here, and disappeared. The other stayed for a long time – standing on the sand under the amber glow of the viewing platform lights, doing what penguins apparently do when they get home: absolutely nothing in particular, at an unhurried pace.

It’s a small thing, in a way. Two penguins on a breakwater in a major city. But there’s something about watching a wild animal go about its life completely undisturbed – just metres from millions of people, just minutes from the Melbourne CBD – that lands differently from any zoo or wildlife park. These penguins are not here for you. They just happen to live here.

And the good news is: you can see them for free.

This is everything you need to know about how to see penguins in Melbourne for free at St Kilda Pier – how to book, how to get there, what the experience is actually like, and the one honest warning you need before you go.

What Is St Kilda?

The St Kilda foreshore as you approach from the tram – the Skyline Wheel, the bay, and the pier just ahead

St Kilda is Melbourne’s most famous beach suburb, sitting about 6 kilometres south of the CBD along the shore of Port Phillip Bay. It’s the kind of place that has been many things at once – a grand Victorian resort destination, a bohemian arts neighbourhood, home to Luna Park, Acland Street’s legendary cake shops, and a thriving cafe and restaurant strip along Fitzroy Street.

St Kilda Beach stretching toward the city – wide, sandy, and calm on Port Phillip Bay

It is also, quietly, home to a colony of approximately 1,400 wild Little Penguins living in the breakwater at the end of St Kilda Pier.

The penguins have been there since long before the suburb became fashionable. Earthcare St Kilda, the volunteer group that has been researching and protecting the colony, has been doing so since 1989. The penguins are not a recent attraction or a tourist installation. They are residents.

St Kilda is easy to reach from the city on the free City Circle Tram and Melbourne’s broader tram network, and the suburb itself rewards an hour or two of wandering before your session begins.

The Penguins: What You’re Actually Going to See

The Little Penguin (Eudyptula minor) is the world’s smallest penguin species. Adults stand about 30 centimetres tall and weigh around one kilogram. They have blue-black plumage on their backs and white undersides. In daylight, they look almost comically small among the rocks – your photograph will confuse people who don’t know what they’re looking at.

A Little Penguin on the breakwater rocks in daylight – about 30cm tall, which is smaller than you expect

During the day, the penguins are out in Port Phillip Bay feeding. They are strong swimmers and can travel considerable distances. As the sun goes down, they begin making their way back to shore to return to their burrows in the rocks of the breakwater. This is what you’re watching – the daily commute of a wild colony.

The St Kilda colony of around 1,400 penguins has been studied continuously since 1986, making it one of the most closely monitored urban wildlife populations in Australia. The new $53 million pier upgrade, completed in December 2024, includes a purpose-built 150-metre elevated viewing platform specifically designed to let humans observe the penguins without disturbing them.

One important thing to say clearly: sighting is not guaranteed. The penguins are wild animals following their own schedule. On the night I visited, we saw two. On other nights, visitors might see dozens. On some nights, none appear during the session. The volunteers will tell you this honestly when you arrive.

Booking Your Free Ticket

The welcome sign at St Kilda Pier – note “Penguin Viewing” listed on the information panel to the right

The penguin viewing experience is completely free, but booking is absolutely essential. Sessions are capped at 150 people and are managed by Phillip Island Nature Parks.

Book here: penguins.org.au

There are two sessions every night:

• Session 1: Approximately 30 minutes after sunset. You watch the penguins begin their journey home from the water to their burrows.
• Session 2: Approximately 90 minutes after sunset. The colony is more active – penguins chattering and settling in for the night.

Each session lasts one hour and is capped at 150 people. Session times vary nightly depending on sunset, and are updated regularly on the Phillip Island Nature Parks website.

You do not need to print your ticket. Show it on your phone when your ticket is scanned at the platform entrance.

How to Get There by Tram

St Kilda is outside Melbourne’s Free Tram Zone, which covers the CBD. This means you need to tap your Myki card when you board a tram heading to St Kilda – standard Zone 1 fares apply. On Melbourne trams, you only need to tap on, not off.

Trams that stop at St Kilda Pier:

• Tram 12 from Collins Street
• Tram 16 from Swanston Street
• Tram 96 from Bourke Street

Alight at the St Kilda Pier stop on Jacka Boulevard. From there, the entrance to the pier is directly in front of you – a short flat walk of about two minutes. You cannot miss it.

The journey from the CBD takes approximately 25-30 minutes. Allow extra time in peak hour.

Alternatively, a train to Balaclava Station followed by tram 16 also works. The 606 bus between Elsternwick Station and Port Melbourne also stops at St Kilda Pier.

If you’re driving, paid parking is available along the St Kilda foreshore but fills quickly, especially on weekends and evenings.

How To: Getting to the St Kilda Penguins and Attending the Session

1. Book your free ticket in advance

   Visit penguins.org.au and book your session – either Session 1 (30 mins after sunset) or Session 2 (90 mins after sunset). Do this weeks or months ahead – tickets book out fast.

2. Load your Myki card

   St Kilda is outside the Free Tram Zone. Make sure your Myki card has credit before boarding.

3. Board tram 12, 16 or 96 from the CBD

   Tap your Myki card when you board. Tram 12 leaves from Collins Street, tram 16 from Swanston Street, tram 96 from Bourke Street. The journey takes about 25-30 minutes.

4. Alight at St Kilda Pier stop on Jacka Boulevard

   The pier entrance is directly in front of you. Walk straight ahead.

5. Arrive before your session time

   Walk the pier, enjoy the skyline, grab something at Parer’s Pavilion kiosk. If you arrive late, your ticket may be forfeited.

6. Queue at the platform entrance and have your ticket ready

   Your ticket will be scanned at the entry to the viewing platform. Have it ready on your phone. Volunteers in hi-vis will be there to guide you.

7. Listen to the volunteers, then watch and wait

   The guides will tell you about the penguins before and during the session. Keep quiet, don’t use flash, don’t shine a torch. Then wait. The penguins come when they come.

Arriving Early: The Skyline and the Pier

The newly redeveloped St Kilda Pier in daylight – the fresh concrete walkway, breakwater rocks to the left, Parer’s Pavilion visible at the end

Arrive at St Kilda well before your session time. The pier itself, and the walk along it, is worth at least an hour of your time independently of the penguins. The pier was completely redeveloped as part of the $53 million upgrade completed in December 2024 – the concrete walkway, steel railings and benches you see are all new. It is wide, accessible, and on a clear day you can see all the way to the Dandenong Ranges across the bay.

The Melbourne skyline from St Kilda Pier – one of the best vantage points in the city, and you get it for free on the walk out

The pier stretches out into Port Phillip Bay and gives you a long, uninterrupted view back at the Melbourne skyline. In the daytime it is striking. At dusk, when the city lights are beginning to come on and the water is darkening, it becomes genuinely spectacular.

The same pier at dusk – Parer’s Pavilion glowing at the end, the viewing platform crowd gathering to the right

At the end of the pier is Parer’s Pavilion, the heritage-listed kiosk building rebuilt in 2004 according to the original 1904 plans after a fire. It serves food and drinks seven days a week. This is where to stop for something warm before your session – there is no food or drink permitted on the viewing platform itself, and no alcohol anywhere on the pier. There are no rubbish bins on the pier either, so carry your litter out.

Public toilets – including one fully accessible – are located in the pavilion at the platform entry. Use them before your session starts.

The St Kilda Marina at dusk – the city lights beginning to glow behind the sailboat masts

Dress for wind. Even on a warm Melbourne day, the pier becomes genuinely cold once the sun goes down. The bay-facing position means there is almost always a breeze, and in winter it is stronger than you expect. A warm jacket is not optional. If rain is forecast, bring a raincoat or poncho – umbrellas are not advisable in the wind.

The Viewing Experience

The viewing platform at night – the 150-metre elevated boardwalk lit in warm gold, volunteers in hi-vis, the crowd watching in near-silence

When your session time arrives, form a queue at the platform entrance. A volunteer will scan your ticket and usher you onto the 150-metre elevated boardwalk that curves out over the breakwater. The platform is lit in warm amber light – bright enough to see but not enough to disturb the penguins.

Before you enter, and during the session, Phillip Island Nature Parks guides and Earthcare St Kilda volunteers will tell you about the colony. How many penguins are in it, how they behave, what threats they face, how the new pier was designed around their needs. The information is genuinely interesting and delivered with the care of people who have dedicated years to these birds.

The platform overlooks the rocks and sand of the breakwater below. This is where the penguins come ashore.

What you cannot do on the platform:

• No flash photography – penguins have sensitive eyes and flash disorients them
• No torches
• No food or drink
• Do not lean over the railing or touch the penguins
• Do not approach within 3 metres of any penguin

Photography without flash is fine. Your camera’s night mode or a steady hand will capture something. Expect orange-lit shots from the platform lighting – which is exactly what my photos show.

We Found Two Penguins

The first penguin – walking across the sand beneath the platform, unbothered by the crowd above

On the night I visited, we found two penguins.

The first appeared on the rocks, paused, and moved on quickly – gone in under a minute. The second walked out onto the open sand beneath the platform and stayed. For a long time.

It stood there in the amber glow of the platform lights – all 30 centimetres of it – and looked around with a kind of settled authority. The crowd above it went quiet. Phones went up. People who had been fidgeting and checking the time were suddenly very still.

Thirty seconds of the second doing absolutely nothing. Which is, it turns out, exactly enough.

This is what the experience is. Not a parade, not a performance, not a guaranteed spectacle. A single small wild bird deciding to stand on a beach, and two hundred people being quietly grateful for it.

The Melbourne Skyline at Night

The Melbourne skyline from St Kilda Pier after dark – one of the best night views of the city you’ll find anywhere

Even if the penguins had not appeared, I would have left St Kilda Pier satisfied – because of this.

Standing at the end of the pier after dark, with the city glittering across the water, the sailboats silhouetted in the marina, and the sky still holding the last warmth of the day above the skyline, is one of the genuinely great Melbourne views. It doesn’t cost anything extra. It doesn’t require any planning. It is just there, waiting for anyone who walks far enough along the pier.

Bring a camera with a decent night mode, or simply stand there for a while without one.

Want More Penguins? Phillip Island

St Kilda offers something rare and special: wild penguins, free entry, and an intimate experience close to the city. But it is also honest about what it is – a small colony, a quiet observation, and an experience where numbers are limited and sightings are not guaranteed.

If you want the full penguin experience – hundreds of penguins emerging from the ocean in waves, a dedicated viewing grandstand, guaranteed sightings night after night – the Phillip Island Penguin Parade is what you’re looking for. It’s a 90-minute drive from Melbourne and one of the most remarkable wildlife spectacles in Australia. The scale is completely different from St Kilda.

Book the Phillip Island Penguin Parade from Melbourne

The two experiences complement each other rather than compete. St Kilda is intimate and free. Phillip Island is unmissable if you’re doing a broader Victoria trip.

Practical Information

Address: Pier Road, St Kilda, VIC 3182

Booking: Free, but essential. Book at penguins.org.au. Tickets are currently booked out until March 2026 – check for cancellations and book as far in advance as possible.

Sessions: Two per night. Session 1 approximately 30 minutes after sunset; Session 2 approximately 90 minutes after sunset. Each session is one hour, capped at 150 people. Exact times updated nightly on the booking site.

Getting there by tram: Trams 12, 16 and 96 from the CBD stop at St Kilda Pier. St Kilda is outside the Free Tram Zone – tap your Myki card on boarding. On Melbourne trams, tap on only.

What to bring: Warm layers (it will be colder than you expect), a raincoat or poncho if rain is forecast (not an umbrella), binoculars if you have them, a fully charged phone or camera with flash disabled.

What not to bring: An umbrella, a torch, food or drink for the platform, alcohol.

Public toilets: Available in Parer’s Pavilion at the platform entry.

Food and drink: Parer’s Pavilion kiosk at the end of the pier serves food and beverages. Many cafes and restaurants on nearby Fitzroy Street and Acland Street are open before and after sessions.

Accessibility: The viewing platform is fully accessible, with compliant walkways and accessible toilet facilities in the pavilion.

Arrive on time: If you are late, your ticket may be forfeited. Arrive early and walk the pier before your session.

FAQ

Are the St Kilda penguins free to see?

Yes – the viewing experience is completely free. You need to book a ticket in advance at penguins.org.au, but there is no charge.

Is a sighting guaranteed?

No. The penguins are wild and follow their own schedule. Some nights many appear; other nights, none do during the session window. The volunteers will give you an honest assessment when you arrive. We saw two on our visit – one stayed for a long while.

How do I book St Kilda penguin tickets?

Go to penguins.org.au and select your session. Book as far in advance as possible – as of early 2026, tickets are fully booked until March 2026. Check for cancellations regularly.

Which session is better – Session 1 or Session 2?

Session 1 (just after sunset) is when the penguins are actively coming ashore, so you may see more movement. Session 2 (90 minutes after sunset) has the colony more settled and active around the burrows. Both are worth doing. Session 2 tends to have more penguins visible on the breakwater.

What tram do I take to St Kilda Pier?

Trams 12, 16 and 96 from the CBD all stop at St Kilda Pier. Remember to tap your Myki when boarding – St Kilda is outside the Free Tram Zone.

Can I use flash photography?

No. Flash photography is strictly prohibited and monitored by volunteers. Switch your flash off before entering the platform. Normal photography without flash is fine.

How windy is it?

Very. Even on calm days, the pier is exposed to the bay breeze. At night, after sunset, it drops several degrees. Dress warmer than you think necessary.

What breed are the St Kilda penguins?

They are Little Penguins (Eudyptula minor), the world’s smallest penguin species. Adults stand about 30cm tall.

Is there a difference between St Kilda and Phillip Island penguins?

Same species – Little Penguins. Phillip Island has a much larger colony and a purpose-built parade experience with hundreds of penguins guaranteed each night. St Kilda is more intimate, free, and close to the city, but smaller in scale and with no sighting guarantee.

PS: St Kilda is one of the best reasons to spend an evening outside the Melbourne CBD. While you’re there, the Melbourne Landmarks walk covers the CBD highlights at a slower pace – good for the daytime before your evening session. And if you haven’t sorted your tram strategy yet, here’s everything you need to know about Melbourne’s free tram zone and Route 35.

Some links in this post are affiliate links. I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you book through them. This never affects what I recommend – only things I’ve actually done or would genuinely suggest.

Please visit:

Our Sponsor