When Is the Best Time
Bicheno, located on Tasmania’s stunning east coast, is one of the best places to witness Fairy Penguins (also known as Little Blue Penguins) returning from their daily ocean foraging. Just after sunset, these tiny seabirds waddle ashore to feed their chicks — a magical sight for wildlife lovers.
Best Time to See Penguins in Bicheno
The peak penguin season is during the breeding months of November and December, when colony numbers are highest. However, September, October, January, and February also offer good chances to see around 100 penguins arriving at dusk.
For optimal viewing:
- High tide is best — penguins have a shorter walk to their burrows, reducing exposure to predators.
- Check local tide times for Bicheno to plan your visit.
Where and How to Watch Responsibly
You can observe penguins without a guided tour, but please follow these essential guidelines:
- No torches or flashlights — use only a red light to avoid disorienting them.
- Don’t block their path or approach them.
- Never touch or pet the penguins.
- Stay still and quiet — frightened penguins may not come ashore, leaving their chicks unfed.
We photographed the penguins using a 600 mm Panasonic zoom lens, sitting quietly on the rocks without moving. This respectful approach ensures the colony remains undisturbed and sustainable for future visitors.
Penguins Year-Round?
Fairy Penguins can be seen throughout the year in Bicheno and other Tasmanian coastal areas. However:
- Winter sightings are rare, often limited to a few male penguins.
- Summer months offer the best chance to see larger groups — but remember, wildlife is unpredictable.
Besides Bicheno, there are two other excellent penguin viewing spots in Tasmania — scroll down to discover them.
Penguin Life Cycle in Tasmania
Here’s a seasonal breakdown of their behavior throughout the year:
- April to August: Males begin nest building to attract females.
- August to December: Females lay two eggs, often in burrows or under rocks.
- December to February: Parents are busy feeding and raising chicks.
- Late summer: Penguins head out to sea to double their weight in preparation for moulting.
- February to May: Penguins undergo moulting, replacing all feathers in about two weeks — during this time, they stay ashore and cannot swim or feed.
Tourist Crowds & Viewing Conditions
- Summer (Dec–Feb): Peak penguin activity and more visitors, but Bicheno rarely feels overcrowded.
- Winter & Spring: Fewer tourists, but also fewer penguins — sightings are less reliable, especially during moulting or non-breeding periods.
To increase your chances of seeing Fairy Penguins up close, plan to stay in Bicheno for at least two nights. Important: Book well in advance during the high season (Nov–Feb) — accommodations fill quickly. Even in the low season, early booking helps you save money.
Cod Rock Point – Penguins in the Garden
One of the few private properties where Little Blue Penguins nest in the garden is Cod Rock Point — ideally located and highly recommended. However, please respect the penguins:
- No flash photography or torches — only use a red light.
- Don’t approach or block their path — even in your garden.
- Stay quiet and still — your presence should never disturb their nightly routine.
Diamond Island Resort – Private Beach Penguin Viewing
Another excellent option is Diamond Island Resort, which offers:
- Direct access to a private beach
- Evening penguin arrivals visible from the shore
- Guest-only beach access, ensuring a peaceful experience
Hiking Tip – Apsley River Gorge Trail & Blowhole
Hiking Tip: Our favourite hike nearby is the Apsley River Gorge Trail which is usually not busy. Another highlight in Bicheno is the Bicheno Blowhole at high tide:
Are you getting to Tasmania from Melbourne or Sydney? If it's Melbourne, stay there for a night close to St. Kilda and watch their huge penguin colony day and night.
Where to See Penguins in Tasmania?
We were fortunate and spent more than a month in Tasmania and spotted the fairy penguins at several locations. Bicheno is one of the places but not the best IMO. There are two spots in the north of Tasmania Lillico Beach Conservation Area (Google Maps Location) and Low Head Penguins and Lighthouse. Volunteer rangers give you tons of information at Lillico. It may take two hours here until you watch all parents coming out with stomachs full of fish. Due to the higher elevation, you are able to see many and close, and best of all; it is wheelchair accessible. Dress up warmly it is cold during the night when standing still all the time.
The Low Head penguins can be seen guided only, but it was worth every dollar. We went to Low Head in February, and our friend Rik from Melbourne in May. Bicheno is a good place to watch them, but we loved Low Head most. These guides do an excellent job, and they know how they can let you get close without any disturbance.
Best Months to Visit
Location and Tips
It is a marvellous experience; to see penguins in small groups arriving ashore, walking and jumping up the rocks to their burrows. If you are lucky and don't move, they walk close to you and pass by to get back to their nests. We had rented a house where penguins nest in the garden close to Cod Rock Point.
In the evening, we went outside with red headlights!! only and we were waiting on a massive rock until the penguins came ashore. Don’t block their way! If they are scared, it is better to leave.
We spotted them spectacularly jumping from one rock to the next. Later on, we heard them in the garden. The next evening, due to heavy rainfall, we stayed inside the house with switched-off lights. They are so cute to watch while walking through the garden to their burrows.
There are artificial nests and self-excavated nests.
It is possible to book a penguin night tour in Bicheno to watch them up close. The guides have immense knowledge, and let you know how to observe the Fairy Penguins without disturbing them!
No camera flashlight or torch, only red light for obvious reasons! Dress warmly, you are getting cold while waiting.
My husband Markus at Cod Rock Point warmly dressed on the cold and windy November day.
7 Facts About the Fairy Penguins
- Most of the little blue penguins breed on offshore islands less than 5 % are found on the mainland.
- These cute penguins are not taller than 40 cm and weigh one kg.
- They live, on average, 6-7 years.
- Diving typically between 10-30 meters to catch small fish, squid or krill.
- Some return year-round to their burrow, but most stay at sea in autumn and winter. If you spot penguins in the winter from June-August, these are males preparing the nests for the next breeding season.
- In the breeding season, the parents share the 33-37 days period of egg incubation. After hatching, the parents leave their chick unguarded to catch fish during the day. When the chicks are about 5 weeks old, they wait outside the burrow to get fed at night. Another 2-3 weeks later, they will leave the nest and their parents forever to move to the sea.
- You see these cute fairy penguins mainly at night when it is dark. They come ashore when it is dark to minimise their risk of being discovered by predators.
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