Penguins Thrive in Urban Oasis: New Viewing Platform Connects Visitors to Nature

In November 2025, a new 150m viewing platform has reopened at the end of the St Kilda pier, giving visitors the chance to observe the thriving little penguin colony. The penguin population, which began establishing itself in the area in the 1950s, has grown from just 57 in 1986 to over 1,400 today.

Volunteer guides from Earthcare St Kilda have been working to manage the influx of visitors and protect the penguins. While the majority of people have been respectful, there have been some "nasty moments" in the past as visitor numbers increased. The new platform aims to balance public access with the need to safeguard the penguins' habitat.

Gordon Watson, an 85-year-old volunteer, has been involved with the colony since his youth. He says the penguins have "always been here" and that the new system will help ensure the colony is "cherished and protected" going forward. With the platform's reopening, visitors can now enjoy an intimate view of the penguins waddling among the rocks and in their nests, without disturbing their natural environment.