Community Open Day

Join us at Churchill Island for live music, conservation and research presentations, conservation dog demonstrations, community stalls, farm activities, games and more.

Activities

^Wagon/tractor rides are $7 per person per ride and funds raised are donated to Friends of Churchill Island Society Inc. 

Wander tree-top boardwalks to view the islands iconic koalas and charismatic curlews in their natural habitat. A peaceful way to explore native bushland alive with bird calls and Australian wildlife.

The Penguin Parade Visitor Centre is open from midday each day. Pick up a hot beverage and browse the retail store. Enjoy a Penguin Presentation at 6.30 pm in the Penguin Parade Theatre.

From approximately 8.00 pm, watch little penguins emerge from the ocean and waddle across Summerland Beach from the Penguin Parade General Viewing area on Friday 9 October or Saturday 10 October.

Barb Martin Bushbank supplies an array of native plants, many of which have been locally sourced and grown, for the local community to plant in their gardens. With wildlife habitat disappearing at an alarming rate, you can help provide the natural environment wildlife needs to thrive, by sourcing your backyard plants from us.
The Barb Martin Bushbank is located at the Koala Conservation Reserve 1810 Phillip Island Road, Phillip Island.
Opening hours from 9.00 am–3.00 pm on Saturday 10 October 2026.

Tickets will be available from September 28.

Once you have verified your post code and have gained access to the booking page, please select the product you would like to book.

Choose 3 Parks Pass if you intend to visit all attractions including the Penguin Parade on Saturday October 10.

Choose Penguin Parade General Viewing to select tickets for either October 9 or 10 for the Penguin Parade only.

Choose Koala Conservation Reserve or Churchill Island if you wish to visit these attractions only. Please note these attractions are only available for Community Open Day on October 10.

Click on ‘Buy Now’ then choose the relevant date. Please note you must choose either October 9 or 10. (Choose October 10 if you have selected a 3 Parks Pass).

Click on the relevant ticket session (click on the price).

Select the number of tickets you require and then click on ‘Next’.

Complete all Billing Contact fields and check boxes.

Please note you must complete all fields for the Promo Code to activate.

Enter the Promo Code: COD2026  and click apply. This will update your ticket cost to free of charge.

Please note that evidence of Bass Coast residency is required at entry.

Community Open Day is available exclusively to residents, property owners, landholders, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members and students of Bass Coast Shire. To gain your free entry, please bring proof of your residency such as photo ID (driver’s licence/student card) and/or rates notice/rental agreement/utilities bill as proof of address. Free entry for households only. Accompanying friends who reside outside the Bass Coast are welcome but must pay entry fees as applicable.

• Free entry is available all day at Churchill Island and Koala Conservation Reserve. Limited tickets available at the Penguin Parade.
• Free Parking, toilets and refreshments available at the Nature Parks attractions.
• Reduce waste, bring your drink bottle, shopping bag and keep cup.
• No unaccompanied children – thank you.
• Phillip Island Nature Parks venues are all-weather attractions. 

• All tickets booked for Community Open Day 2026 are valid on Saturday 10 October only. Penguin Parade General Viewing tickets are available for either Friday 9 October 2026 or Saturday 10 October 2026.
• Wagon/tractor rides are $7 per person per ride and funds raised are donated to Friends of Churchill Island Society Inc.
• Free admission is available to for residents, landholders, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community members and students of Bass Coast Shire only when using COD2026 promo code at checkout. Customer details must be entered for the promo code to be applied. Infants will require a valid ticket. Free entry is for households only. Accompanying non-residents of Bass Coast Shire are welcome but must pay entry fees as applicable.
• Proof of residency will be required to gain entry via photo ID (driver’s licence/student card) and/or rates notice/rental agreement/utilities bill as proof of address.
• Tickets cannot be extended, refunded, upgraded, or exchanged for cash.
• Offer valid for general admission only, and not valid for any other upgrades, offers and tours.
• The event organiser reserves the right to modify or cancel the event without notice for reasons beyond their control.
• In the event of cancellation tickets will not be exchanged or rescheduled to another date/session.
• Special meal offers with our Create Catering partners are subject to change.