Welcome to the heartwarming story of Quincy the Fairy Penguin and his real-life cousins who call the St Kilda Breakwater home.
Did you know that just minutes from Melbourne’s CBD lives a colony of wild fairy penguins?
In the 1970s, after the construction of a rock breakwater for the 1956 Olympics, a few brave little penguins (Eudyptula novaehollandiae) began nesting between the rocks of St Kilda Pier.
What began as a small group quietly settling into their bayside burrows has grown into a vibrant, urban colony of over 1,400 penguins!
In 1986, biologist Professor Mike Cullen began nighttime surveys of the penguins. Often staying until midnight, he was joined by passionate locals like Neil Blake. Their dedication led to the creation of Earthcare St Kilda, a volunteer group now central to the colony’s protection.
Today, thanks to Parks Victoria and Earthcare, the penguins thrive—viewed safely from boardwalks and monitored nightly by friendly guides.
Visit the St Kilda Pier & Breakwater to view the penguins in their natural habitat:
Please remember: No flash photography. Keep a respectful distance. And if Quincy could talk—he’d say thanks for protecting his penguin cousins.
Quincy, our cartoon ambassador, was inspired by the real-life resilience and charm of St Kilda’s penguins. He’s here to guide, inform, and remind us that even the smallest creatures can make a big impact.
Each penguin has a unique pattern of feathers across its face—like a fingerprint! Some penguins have been returning to the same rock for over a decade.