From Perth, Australia to Penguin Island

From Perth, Australia to Penguin Island

We visit Penguin Island from Perth to hunt Australia's most adorable creatures.

I was determined to see penguins in Australia. My hunt for penguins in the Galápagos was only narrowly successful with a one-minute sighting after three days of searching. I was hoping Australia would provide a closer encounter.

And so the day after we arrived in Australia (no less than 24 hours late) we drove from Perth to Penguin Island.

Adorned with sandy beaches and rugged, spectacular scenery, Penguin Island is located in the Shoalwater Islands Marine Park, about 45 minutes south of Perth.

alt="Penguin Island is adorned with rugged, spectacular scenery">Atlas & BootsPenguin Island is adorned with rugged, spectacular scenery

We booked a dolphin, penguin and sea lion adventure and set off from Perth on a sunny Tuesday morning.

Our group of about 20 passengers took the Penguin Island ferry to the island itself and then transferred to a 12-meter rigid hull inflatable boat for our 90-minute wildlife cruise.

Dolphins

Dolphins are the Kardashians of marine mammals - they're always showing up - so I had no doubt we'd see some. In fact, I was a bit indifferent after seeing some incredible displays in the Maldives a few years ago. Surely Australia couldn't keep up?

The truth is, that wasn't the case - but it was closer than anywhere else.

Shortly after we set off, we were joined by a pod of friendly dolphins. (Is there such a thing as unfriendly dolphins?) They had a lovely time playfully diving under and around our boat. As we picked up speed, they began to “surf” in our wake.

alt="Surfing Dolphin">Atlas & BootsA dolphin surfs in our wake

As I moved around the boat for the best view, it struck me how much better this was than our whale watching experience in Mirissa, Sri Lanka. The passenger numbers were about right and our boat was the only one nearby. Shoalwater, like many of Australia's marine parks, is protected by strict access laws and the difference is clear. We roamed around for an hour and hardly saw another ship.

Needless to say, the dolphins lived up to expectations: pretty, fun-loving, and ever-popping - just like the Kardashians.

Sea lions

We then made our way to Seal Island and watched from a distance as fat Australian sea lions lounged obscenely on the beach.

alt="Sea lions on the way from Perth to Penguin Island">Atlas & BootsSea lions lounge on the beach

A southern elephant seal pup is reported to have been born on the island in 2016 - only the third such event recorded in Western Australia in 20 years, and only the 10th nationwide since 1958.

Southern elephant seals live in the subantarctic area around Macquarie Island off Tasmania and Heard Island, 4,000 km (2,485 miles) southwest of Perth, but are known to travel long distances.

And finally penguins

Penguin Island itself is dotted with cliffs, sea caves, headlands, bays, beaches and natural bridges. It has several nature trails and coastal viewing points where visitors can look for wild penguins. With a colony of around 1,200 little penguins, the island is home to Western Australia's largest bird population.

alt="Atlas & Boots">Atlas & BootsPenguin Island is home to around 1,200 little penguins

We spent a while looking for wild penguins, knowing it was a long shot since they are out at sea hunting for fish during the day - and visitors can't come at night.

So why did we come? Because seeing little penguins is guaranteed here (even if not in the wild). The island's Discovery Center is home to a small number of rescued penguins.

Built in 1987 by the Ministry of Environment and Conservation, the center provides a sanctuary for injured wild penguins and is also home to 10 resident penguins that were seriously injured, orphaned as chicks or born in captivity, all of which mean they are unlikely to survive in the wild.

The enclosure has been designed to reflect the penguins' natural coastal scrub environment and includes a saltwater pond for swimming. Penguin feedings take place three times a day (10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. or 2:30 p.m.). We witnessed the feeding at 2:30 p.m. and absolutely loved it.

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The penguins are cute and curious - some shy, others cheeky. Some are quiet and some are not, especially Kevin who was quite extroverted.

The trip from Perth to Penguin Island was worth the effort. The experience wasn't entirely natural given the two rows of spectators, but it was still charming and certainly the best thing we did in Perth.

Penguin Island from Perth: Tips

• Verlassen Sie Perth nach 9 Uhr morgens, um den Daytripper-Tarif zu erhalten
• Kommen Sie 30 Minuten früher zur Fütterung, um sich einen guten Platz zu sichern
• Nehmen Sie ein Picknick mit, da es auf Penguin Island kein Essen gibt (aber lassen Sie dort nichts zurück)
• Nehmen Sie Badekleidung und einen Schnorchel mit, denn die umliegenden Gewässer eignen sich hervorragend zum Schwimmen
• Beachten Sie, dass Sie in freier Wildbahn wahrscheinlich keine Pinguine sehen werden, aber die Reise lohnt sich trotzdem

Perth's Penguin Island: the essentials

What: Visiting Penguin Island from Perth, Australia.

Where: We stayed at the ibis Perth, conveniently located in the Central Business District or “CBD”. With practical, cozy rooms, the hotel offered a comfortable home after an epic journey from London. Large windows and lots of light make excellent use of Perth's 265 days of sunshine.

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We enjoyed the hotel's location right in the center of town, within walking distance of a wide selection of restaurants, cafes and ice cream parlors. Overall we had a comfortable stay in a convenient location at an affordable price. We don't need much more for a stay in the city.

When: The best time to visit Penguin Island from Perth is mid-September to early June. For the rest of the year, the island is closed to visitors during the breeding season.

How: We booked a 90-minute dolphin, penguin and sea lion adventure (AUD 85 / USD 65 per person) and spent the rest of the day exploring Penguin Island.

Allow 45-60 minutes to reach Penguin Island from Perth by car.

Allow 1.5 hours to reach Penguin Island from Perth using public transport. Take the train south of Perth on the Mandurah Line (every 10-15m) and get off at Rockingham Station. From there, take bus 551 or 552 from Stand 10. Get off at Penguin Rd / Watts Road and walk west along Penguin Rd (1 km / 06 mi) to Rockingham Wild Encounters. It's worth noting that if you leave after 9am you'll be eligible for the Daytripper fare, which is cheaper and means you don't have to find change for the bus fare.

The Penguin Island ferry takes five minutes and departs on the hour from 9am to 3pm. Ferries returning to the mainland depart at 10 minutes past the hour, with the last departure at 4:00 p.m.

We flew from London, UK to Perth. We had an early flight so we booked a night at the ibis Styles London Heathrow Airport. The rooms are quiet, comfortable and stylish (as the name suggests). There's free high-speed WiFi, an on-site restaurant and express buses to Heathrow terminals 24 hours a day - perfect for a late night or an early start.

Book domestic or international flights with Skyscanner at the best prices.

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Lonely Planet Australia is a comprehensive travel guide to the country, ideal for those who want to both explore the top attractions and take the road less traveled.

If you'd rather hand off the planning, we recommend G Adventures and their small group Australia tours.

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Mission statement: Atlas & Boots

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