Penguins on the Island

"One of the highlights of our trip to Australia - walking amongst the cute little penguins. We even passed two walking along the path as we went to our accommodation room. Our friends back home won't believe us!" Jennifer and Bill, USA

The little penguins are abundant in Penneshaw, the largest rookery on Kangaroo Island. A day tour to Kangaroo Island just isn't enough. The Kangaroo Island Seafront Resort location makes it the perfect place to experience the magic of the Little Penguins. They even come into the Resort grounds to make their burrows - the mini golf course is a favourite spot!

Two informative nocturnal penguin tours are conducted at the Penguin Centre (a short walk from the Kangaroo Island Seafront Resort) every evening. Tickets can be purchased at the Kangaroo Island Seafront Resort. This is an opportunity to view the Little Penguins in their natural environment and experience their daily routines at very close range.

Tour times

Winter: 7.30pm and 8.30pm
Summer: 8.30pm and 9.30pm

Can you see the Little Penguins anywhere else in the world?

The little penguins are only found on the south coast of Australia and New Zealand and belong to the Eudyptula minor species of penguins. Their average height is just 33 centimetres and average weight is 1.2 kilograms.

Why is Penneshaw the best penguin rookery on Kangaroo Island?

The cool waters of the Southern Ocean and the warm waters of St. Vincent's Gulf come together in backstairs passage, where Penneshaw is located. This temperate environment provides an abundant food source for the Little Penguin who feeds on squid, anchovies and small school fish.

How can you tell the difference between the males and the females?

It is very difficult! Male penguins weigh just a little more than the female and have thicker and longer beaks. The average male weight is 1400 grams and the average female weight is 1300 grams. Often the penguins have to be weighed and studied closely to determine their gender!

What is the Little Penguins breeding cycle?

The little penguin will lay breed up to three times per year. Throughout November the adult Penguins fatten up for the moulting season. At the end of November the adult Penguins send their young out to sea to begin their adult lives and then they begin to moult. The adults spend three weeks in the burrow living on their own body fat and replacing the old feathers with the new, meticulously oiling the new feathers for optimum waterproof coats at sea. When the moulting is complete, the penguins then spend up to six weeks at sea and travel as far as Tasmania in their search for food. In early March the penguins begin to prepare their burrows for breeding and both the male and female take turns to incubate the eggs. Two eggs are usually laid and by April the chicks are hatched from the eggs. The chicks are fed daily by either or both parents and feed on regurgitated fish. The chicks are ready for their first trip to sea at 8 weeks of age and must be prepared to travel for up to 24 hours before their first feed.

Who are the little Penguins Predators?

The Australian Sea Lion, New Zealand Fur Seal and White Bellied Sea Eagles are the Little Penguins largest predators.