Once again, our littlest residents are making a big splash on the world stage.

Last week Phillip Island’s Penguin Parade made it onto the New York Times annual list of 52 places to visit.

Our global superstars, who are used to the spotlight after attracting over 25 million views through the Live Penguin TV, have now conquered the Big Apple. As Frank Sinatra said, if you can make it there, you can make it anywhere!
Phillip Island Nature Parks said it was delighted the parade had been included but the entire community should feel proud.

“We’ve always known how special this area is, but to be recognised on such a global scale alongside other spectacular destinations is really exciting,” said Phillip Island Nature Parks CEO, Catherine Basterfield.
This year, the annual New York Times “52 Places” list focuses on destinations where visitors can be part of the solution to problems such as climate change and over-tourism.
Ms Basterfield said the recognition is testament to the remarkable conservation efforts that have protected Phillip Island’s little penguins from potential local extinction to become the thriving and much-loved colony we see today. 
“We have such an important and ground-breaking conservation story to share and the more people we can share it with, the better,” Ms Basterfield said.

“Our little penguins rose to global fame when Live Penguin TV livestream launched in 2020 and their international stardom is showing no sign of slowing down!”
Bass Coast Shire Mayor, Cr Michael Whelan said it was “fantastic to see the work that Nature Parks is doing around sustainability and protecting the natural environment recognised on an international level”.

Cr Whelan noted that prior to the pandemic, around 64,000 international visitors would come to Bass Coast each year.