Itinerary
This tour with Oceania Tours and Safaris is a combination of the Morning City Sights and Phillip Island Tour. Enjoy the attractions of Marvellous Melbourne in a relaxed and entertaining way. Visit such wonders as Federation Square, the MCG and our world-famous sports precinct, St Patrick’s Cathedral, Albert Park Lake (Formula 1) and over to St Kilda Beach. You can even take a stroll in the gardens and visit St Patrick’s Cathedral when permitted. Visit world famous Albert Park, home of the Formula One, Australian Grand Prix as well as our inner-city sports precinct, home to the famous MCG and Melbourne Park where the Australian Tennis Open takes place. Your tour will finish by visiting Eureka Tower. You may choose to take the super-speedy elevator to Eureka Skydeck 88 (entry not included), scraping Melbourne’s awe-inspiring skyline where you will be spoiled with 360-degree views of the city, Port Phillip Bay and out to the Dandenongs and the Yarra Valley. After lunch (own expense) continue to Phillip Island.
The attractions this afternoon have a focus on the environment and the protection of the wildlife. Drive south-east from Melbourne to reachMoonlit Sanctuary Conservation Park where you will meet endangered species, kangaroos, wallabies and koalas plus an array of colourful birds and reptiles. Our journey then leads onto Phillip Island, the home of the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix and our famous Little Penguins. Upon arrival on the island, depending on the time of year and your particular interests, we will visitWoolamai beach to see surfers riding the waves. From here, we go to the western corner of the island to enjoy magnificent views of the Bass Strait and theNobbies, which is home to a thelargest colony of fur seals in Australia. During the daylight savings months, you will travel to the town ofCoweswhere you will have free time for dinner. In the winter months, you can have something to eat at the Penguin Parade Visitor Center or wait for your early arrival back at your city hotel. Finally, a trip to Phillip Island is not complete without its black-tie gala event: thePenguin Parade. You will head to the Visitor Centre to shop, have a coffee and meander along the boardwalk to the viewing platform where you will see the little penguins come ashore, decked out in their tuxedos as they hurry off to find their burrows.
You can choose from several options for the Penguin Parade at additional costs (Standard viewing is included)
The Penguins Plus viewing platform offers more intimate viewing of the Little Penguins and is restricted to only 200 people per night. With approximately 60% of the penguins waddling past the Penguins Plus viewing area and boardwalks, this experience also includes a complimentary drink and short ranger presentation prior to the arrival of the Little Penguins.
The Underground viewing lets you enjoy up-close viewing of the little penguins through an underground, sheltered viewing window.
The Ranger guided Tour provides you with a reserved front section of the beach for your viewing stands and expert commentary by your own ranger. (minimum age is 12 years!)
Please note taking photos or videos of the little penguins is not permitted. Warm and waterproof clothes are recommended.