Penguin Parade Guide for Families
Visiting with kids requires booking tickets well in advance, packing windproof warm layers, and managing the 1-hour sunset wait time with snacks. Underground Viewing is the best option for families as it is indoors and warm.
👪 Family Essentials
Top 5 Tips for Visiting with Children
1. Choose the Underground Viewing Stand
The biggest challenge for families is keeping children comfortable in the freezing winds at the beach stands. Children get cold much faster than adults, which leads to shivering and crying. Booking **Underground Viewing** solves this: you sit inside a warm, windproof, glass-fronted room. The penguins waddle past at eye-level, which keeps kids engaged and comfortable.
2. Bring Plenty of Snacks & Thermos Drinks
You will be sitting in the stands for at least 45 to 60 minutes before the first penguin lands. Keeping children seated and quiet in the dark can be difficult. Pack thermos flasks filled with warm cocoa or soup, plus plenty of easy-to-eat snacks. Avoid loud, crinkly wrapper packets that disrupt the quiet atmosphere.
3. Leverage the Pram Ramps
The entire pathway from the visitor center to the stands is step-free and ramped, making it easy to push strollers and prams. However, prams cannot be taken directly into the seating rows. You must leave your pram in the designated "Pram Parking" bays behind the stands before taking your seats.
4. Arrive at the Stands Slightly Later
If you have General Admission tickets, you don't need to sit in the stands for the full hour wait. Let your kids explore the interactive educational tablets inside the Visitor Center first. Head down to the stands about 20 minutes before sunset. You may sit slightly higher up, but your kids will have less time to get bored or cold before the penguins arrive.
Child & Family Pricing Packages
| Ticket Type | Adult Price | Child (4-15) | Family Pass (2A + 2C) | Infant (Under 4) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Admission | $32.00 | $16.00 | $80.00 Save $16 | Free Must book |
| Penguins Plus | $90.00 | $45.00 | $225.00 Save $45 | Free Must book |
| Underground | $90.00 | $45.00 | $225.00 Save $45 | Free Must book |
FAQ: Families & Kids
Are baby carriers recommended?
Yes. Carrying your baby in a front carrier or sling is highly recommended. It keeps the baby warm against your body heat and makes navigating the boardwalks and seating rows much easier than pushing a pram in the dark.
Where are baby change facilities located?
Baby change tables are available in the main Visitor Center restrooms. There are no changing facilities at the beach stands, so make sure to check diapers before heading down the boardwalks.
What is the best age for children to visit?
Children of all ages enjoy the parade, but kids aged 5 and up get the most out of the experience. They can stay awake later (the parade finishes around 10:00 PM in summer) and can engage with the educational displays and ranger talks.