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In just 24 hours after launching, the demand for sessions skyrocketed, leaving all available slots fully booked for over five months. As a result, tickets are now sold out until the end of March 2026, with the next batch for April yet to be announced.
“I saw the announcement on Facebook, so I quickly logged in and managed to grab three tickets right away. I started telling my friends, but when I checked again, everything was gone,” she shared with SBS News.
“Imagine if I booked for March, but then I find out I won’t be in Melbourne,” he expressed, highlighting the potential issues with long-term planning.
The ticketing system for penguin viewing at St Kilda has faced backlash from visitors who are finding it nearly impossible to secure a spot. Source: SBS News
St Kilda’s penguin viewing ticketing system has drawn criticism as visitors struggle to secure spots. Source: SBS News
Cambodian international student Bon shared similar concerns.
The St Kilda penguins have faced many issues over the year, including flash photography, selfie sticks, overcrowding and even physical attacks.
Why St Kilda’s penguin viewing now requires tickets
“There were just people literally everywhere as penguins were coming up; there would just be people sitting on the rocks in front of their nests.”
The penguins at St Kilda pier have long been a popular tourist attraction. Source: Supplied / Phillip Island Nature Parks
The viewing platform was eventually built as part of the Victorian government’s St Kilda Pier redevelopment. Because the platform has limited capacity, a ticketing system was introduced when the penguin colony reopened in October.
“We had hoped that we would be able to manage the penguin viewing experience, because we have an understanding of what locals want,” she said.
Phillip Island Nature Parks responds to ticketing backlash
During the four years St Kilda’s colony was closed for renovations, Phillip Island became the nearest place for visitors to see little penguins in the wild.
“So, it would be really great if people could actually come in as walk-ins, if it’s not busy.”
Tickets for the penguin viewing experience at Melbourne’s St Kilda Pier are now unavailable until the end of March 2026, with April bookings yet to be released. Source: SBS News
Anderson said Phillip Island Nature Parks sends reminder emails urging visitors to cancel their tickets if they can no longer attend.
Anderson confirmed there is “some availability for walk-ins if numbers allow”.
SBS News observed some walk-in visitors were able to access the boardwalk when space allowed. Source: SBS News
To test how workable walk-ins really are, SBS News tried to enter the earlier session on two separate nights with similar weather, but was unable to get in.
On the third attempt, Phillip Island Nature Parks staff told us that tickets had become available, which could then be booked online at the gate.
