VISITOR numbers at Phillip Island Nature Parks’ world-class attractions including the Penguin Parade, Koala Conservation Reserve and Churchill Island remained high in 2024–25, exceeding 2023–24 numbers by 3%, driven by growth at the Penguin Prade, which saw an additional 48,054 visitors in general admission.
However, while visitor numbers continued to return to or exceed pre-COVID numbers across most sectors, the PINP annual report for the 2024-25 financial year, tabled in State Parliament recently, revealed the rising cost of doing business.
Total expenses incurred in delivery of services for the year was $29.582 million in 2024-25, against $23.705 million in 2023-24.
Of that employee expenses went up by almost $2.3 million from $14.862 million to $17.138 million.
But news on the visitor and development fronts was all good.
“Our world-famous Penguin Parade continued to delight visitors, with 52 sold-out nights this summer – our biggest season yet! Visitation remained strong over March extending into Easter and the Victorian school holidays.
“We made some exciting upgrades including a new fully accessible Shearwater Boardwalk that connects to Summerland Beach, a refreshed Penguins Plus viewing platform and a purpose-built guided tour platform for the Penguins Premium experience.
“Upgrades were completed under Stage 1 of the Penguin Parade Boardwalks and Viewing Stands project and with the support of the Victorian State Government via the Regional Tourism Investment Fund.”
The Nature Parks received State Government funding through the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action of $8M 2023-2024, and $1.8M 2024-2025, for its construction program.
Visitor numbers for the 2024-25 year were as follows:
- Penguin Parade 761,429
- Koala Conservation Reserve 180,646
- Churchill Island 118,010
“In 2024–25, China became our largest international market contributing to 5.7% of the visitation and despite not yet returning to pre-pandemic levels, the Chinese outbound travel market to Australia is steadily recovering.
“Nature and wildlife remain key attractions for this segment. Singapore followed as the second largest market with 30,556 visitors driven by strong interest in luxury getaways, nature-based experiences, and family holidays.
“The USA ranked third with 21,445 visitors with American travellers also showing strong interest in our distinctive natural attractions.”
Koala Conservation Reserve
“With close to 180,000 visitors to the Koala Conservation Reserve in the 2025 financial year, the need for a functional area plan was identified as crucial to ensure the increasing demands on the attraction could be met. This plan was completed towards the end of 2024 with many recommendations for improvements to the carpark, visitor centre, the reserve and surrounds.
“Several recommendations are being implemented
currently. The Manna Gum Café, situated in the visitor centre, opened daily from September 2024 with improved lunch and snack options, as well as quality coffee for visitors. Native seedlings grown onsite, at the Barb Martin Bushbank nursery, in both tube stock and pots available for purchase by the public from our visitor centre with plans to increase the size of this offering in the coming years. Planning and preliminary works of the children’s play area was undertaken and enhancements to this area will occur throughout 2026 financial year.”
On Churchill, the Island Ocean Sounds Festival drew nearly 6000
visitors in January, and the Easter Festival attracted 3702 guests.
Current projects include
- Penguin Parade Boardwalks and Stand Redevelopment Project
- Summerland Peninsula Master Plan
- Smiths Beach (East) Stair and Ramp Upgrade
- Nobbies critical repair works
- Rhyll Inlet Boardwalks and Viewing Platform Upgrade
- Sunderland Bay Boardwalk – essential maintenance
