Helicopter helps build new Phillip Island Penguin Parade boardwalk

One of Australia’s most famous penguin tourist attractions is getting a $5m boardwalk revamp, with choppers slotting parts in like lego pieces.

A helicopter is helping assemble a new accessible boardwalk and viewing stands at the iconic Phillip Island Penguin Parade as part of a $5m upgrade, opening in time for the Christmas holidays.

The Phillip Island Nature Parks project — assisted by Terroir Architects and Simpson Construction — comes after the state government green lit the development through the Regional Tourism Investment Fund.

Works began on May 1 and were positioned between the Penguin Parade Visitor Centre and Summerland Beach, which included the installation of surefoot footings.

Steel framework was also lifted and transferred by the helicopter and placed into each fitted space along the beach.

The helicopter guided the beams and frames into position while also protecting the “sensitive” natural habitat and penguins from heavy construction vehicles.

Steel framework was placed into fitted spaces on Summerland Beach with the assistance and guidance of on-site workers. Picture: Supplied

Other parts of the boardwalk were also carried in and installed one-by-one by workers to ensure further protection of the penguins.

The works were done with the supervision of qualified wildlife officers, ensuring any penguins present during construction were monitored and undisturbed.

The project will be completed in December, ready for the peak summer visitor period.

Phillip Island Nature Parks general manager for infrastructure and planning Jarvis Weston said it was an “exciting” time at the Penguin Parade with the upgrades set to improve the “overall visitor experience”.

“We only broke the ground after months of careful mapping of this culturally significant area,” Ms Weston said.

Workers installed surefoot footings to elevate the boardwalk in order to protect the penguins’ habitat and allow them to have unlimited movement. Picture: Supplied

“Using technology such as surefoot fixings, we are minimising our impact as we construct this exciting project and ensure the Penguin Parade remains a world class eco-tourism destination.”

Once completed, the new boardwalk will create an “improved looped” walking experience to “better connect” visitors with nature and provide greater accessibility for all abilities through to the penguin viewing stands.

Environment Minister Steve Dimopoulos said the upgrade would bring visitors closer to Summerland Beach where they could watch the “little penguins waddle up the shore”.

“(It will) ensure the penguin parade can continue to be enjoyed into the future,” Mr Dimopoulos said.

The Phillip Island Penguin Parade is one of Australia’s most iconic tourist attractions. Picture: Jack Colantuono

The new accessible boardwalk and viewing stands will open to the public in December. Picture: Facebook

Member for Bass Jordan Crugnale said the penguin parade was one of the state’s “most loved eco-tourism attractions” that brought in more than 700,000 visitors each year.

In July, Phillip Island Nature Parks released figures that revealed more than 709,000 people visited the Penguin Parade in 2023-24 financial year — an increase from 545,148 in 2022-23.

Phillip Island Nature Parks chief officer Catherine Basterfield said Phillip Island was one of Australia’s “must-see” tourist destinations.

“We are grateful for the government’s commitment in bettering our tourism offering so the penguin parade can be enjoyed for generations to come,” Ms Basterfield said.