The Penguin Parade
I arrived in Melbourne and immediately wanted to have a look around and find out what there was to see and do, so when I realized that there was a Penguin Parade I got really exited and had to go see them! About an hour out of Melbourne, on Philip Island you can go and see Fairy Penguins, which are the smallest penguins ever about 30cm high, and they are adorable!
Each evening, just as it starts to get dark, the penguins emerge from the water in groups (should that be packs? flocks?) and try to make the way up the beach in order to get to their nests. I saw and waited patiently for them to show themselves and soon enough the first penguin group came out of the sea looking very scared and quickly waddled up the beach, hiding behind rocks on their way. Half way up the beach, for no reason, they got scared and ran all the way back to the sea. They did this same routine about four times and I just wanted to help them to get home (obviously I didn’t interfere). The other groups did the same, it was so cute but I really felt for them.
Eventually some made it to the back of the beach and started singing (honestly, it really does sound like singing!) but loads of penguins were still in the water, I even saw one get confused, it came from its home and headed back to the water then realized whet it was doing and ran home again!
You aren’t allowed to take photos as it scares the penguin’s, and watching platforms have been set up so you can see them so unfortunately its quite set up for tourists but at least it keeps the penguins safe and protected.
February 13th, 2008 at 9:11 am
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