Wayward penguin reaches Australian shores

A wayward penguin has been put back on course following an extraordinary adventure from New Zealand to Australian shores.

The penguin, dubbed Columbus, lost its way after leaving New Zealand's Fiordland Coast.

More than two thousand kilometres later, the little pair of not so Happy Feet washed ashore at Wilson's Promontory.

Wildlife experts say it is very rare for a New Zealand native penguin to show up on Australian shores.

"They're not all that common, we probably get one a year at the most," wildlife carer Rosie Fennell said.

The severely malnourished penguin was discovered by wildlife rangers after waddling into shore almost three weeks ago.

Weighing less than half its healthy size, carers say the little animal was too underweight to make it home.

It was taken to Phillip Island Nature Parks Rehabilitation Centre where it was nursed back to health before being released into the water this morning.

"Being underweight it was just a matter of feeding them up and getting their condition back so they could be released again," carer Josie Bellett added. "Hopefully now he'll find his way back to New Zealand."