How viewing of ‘penguin parade’ on Australia’s Phillip Island puts the birds first, with secure spectator areas, low lights and ban on photos

Observing penguins in their natural habitat, as opposed to a zoo or aquarium, requires a certain level of determination. On a winter night in Victoria, Australia, the icy wind from the Bass Strait serves as a reminder of the proximity to Antarctica. Of the 18 species of penguins, nine inhabit Antarctica and the surrounding islands. However, the smallest species, known as little penguins or sometimes fairy penguins, reside along the coasts of New Zealand and southern Australia. When not foraging at sea, the largest colony of little penguins, approximately 40,000 in number, can be found on Victoria's Phillip Island.

Each night, about 10 per cent of these penguins emerge from the tumultuous surf to cross the sand as they return to their burrows in the coastal scrub. This phenomenon, known as the 'penguin parade', has made the 101 sq km (39 square mile) island internationally renowned. Located some 140km (87 miles) southeast of the state capital, Melbourne, Phillip Island is also home to around 13,000 humans who appreciate its laid-back lifestyle. Australian fur seals thrive along its rugged coastline, and migrating whales help attract more than two million visitors to the island each year.

The Penguin Parade Visitor Centre, situated on the Summerland Peninsula, is a 20-minute drive across Phillip Island from the mainland town of San Remo. The multimillion-dollar centre has been designed to blend into the undulating landscape when viewed from the stands erected along the shoreline. Consequently, the light emanating from the massive building doesn't deter the penguins, who wait for the safety of darkness before they appear from the waves. Every detail at the centre is intended to minimise human disruption to the penguins' routine. The lengthy boardwalks leading down to the viewing stands are elevated, allowing the flightless birds to wander underneath them. The stands are positioned along a stretch of sand that is at most 200 metres (650ft) wide, enabling visitors to observe the penguins without obstructing their path. The general viewing stands can accommodate 3,000 people.