Name: Penguin Encounter at SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium
Price: 199.00 AUD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.0 (27 reviews)

Highlights

Sit among majestic King and cheeky Gentoo penguins
See food preparation and veterinary areas behind the scenes
Learn how the exhibit maintain sub-zero temps

Penguin Passport is you ticket to a once-in-a-lifetime encounter with sub-Antarctic penguins. Suited up in your Antarctic snow gear, the 45 minute tour takes you onto the ice where you have the exclusive opportunity to sit among majestic King and cheeky Gentoo penguins.

What's included?

All equipment (ski suit, foot ware, gloves N.B the ski suit will be worn over your clothing, therefore skirts and dresses are not advisable)
30 min back of house tour
15 min penguin encounter experience
Hot beverage voucher redeemable at the aquarium cafe

The only tour of its kind in Australia, you will also have the opportunity to see food preparation and veterinary areas, as well as how the stat-of-the-art exhibit maintains sub-zero temperatures
Please note photos can only be taken from behind the glass not in the encounter

Important information

Session Length

The experience is 45 minutes in duration (30 min back of house tour and 15 min penguin encounter experience)
This experience is available daily at 2pm
No same day booking

Restrictions

No same day booking.

Guidelines

You must sign an indemnity form prior
Participants must be over 12 years of age, must not have been in contact with birds in the last 24 hours, must be able to navigate stairs and must not have suffered from the Flu/Cold/Gastro/Respiration infection in the last 48 hours
No same day booking

Cancellation

Change your booking up to 48 hours before the start time of your experience
Changes are not permitted within 48 hours of your experience
Late arrivals or no shows may result in you forfeiting your experience
Tickets are non-refundable

Numbers on the Day

There are 4 spots available per session, with 1 guide for the group

Dress Code

Dress in warm clothing which is the best foundation for the ski suits

Location

This experience takes place in Melbourne.

Reviews

4.0

27 reviews

5 stars 18

4 stars 2

3 stars 1

2 stars 2

1 star 4

It was an unforgettable experience!

Kathryn 6 June 2025

I loved every minute of the encounter. Thanks Sam!

Cassie

Hi Kathryn, your feedback is important to us, and we’re so glad to hear that you enjoyed your experience!

8 June 2025

The penguin feeding was not worth it

Matt 15 January 2024

We had a very basic tour of the back of the pensioner enclosure and weren’t even allowed to feed the penguins which was what we thought we paid for. Price was an absolute rip off for the experience. Would not recommend

Cassie

Hi Matt, thanks so much for your feedback - We are always looking for ways to improve so I really appreciate you taking the time to share your experience.

17 January 2024

Penguins Melbourne aquarium up close experience

Mel 8 January 2024

Loved it, learnt interesting facts about the furry little friends. Getting up close Getting to stand next to them was way better than looking from behind a glass wall recommended to any penguin lover.

Amazing Experience

Leeza 5 July 2022

This was an incredible experience that I highly recommend for any animal lover. The crew were friendly, helpful and informative (special mention the Shanice our guide) who answered all our questions and showed us an in depth tour of behind the scenes of the penguin enclosure. A fantastic day that will not be forgotten.

Penguin encounter

Paula 25 December 2021

The experience was ok but would have been good to enteract and go into the middle of encounter instead we were at the entrance. Wouldn't do it again for the price I paid.

RedBalloon

null

28 December 2021

Penguin encounter

Peter 8 March 2021

We both really enjoyed the penguins experience. Our guide Maya was very informative and excited to teach us about the penguins, and answered all of our many questions. It was encouraging hearing how food for the penguins is sustainably sourced, and seeing that our time in their realm was strictly enforced. It was such a special experience, not even comparable to being in the regular viewing area on the other side of the glass, as we could smell and hear everything right in front of us. Highly recommended!

The penguin passport was amazing

Briyana 15 February 2020

This experience was a once in a life time experience where we got to see how much is put into the penguin exhibit to keep them happy and healthy. The staff were incredible.

Loved it

Renee 29 January 2020

Really enojyed my experience at the Aquarium today. The penguin tour was very informative and a lot of fun

Penguin Experience

Lynne 25 November 2019

The experience of being on the ice with the penguins and close enough to see them interacting, and we were lucky enough that there were chicks there, was excellent. Staff knowledge was fantastic and interesting. Just go and do it!

Very informative and interesting

Mark 26 October 2019

Good experience with very informative Keeper. Great to stand on the ice with the penguins coming up to check us out.