Best of Melbourne and Victoria

After your arrival into Melbourne you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure. Depending on your arrival time, you may have a chance to do a cruise on the Yarra River to see the city from a different angle.
Accommodation: Melbourne for 5 nights

This afternoon you will travel south-east, heading to Westernport Bay. The route will take you through many of Melbourne’s affluent suburbs where you will see tree lined streets and beautiful homes, many built in the late 1800s. As the South Gippsland Highway approaches the landscape becomes more rural dotted with smaller townships and farming properties. First stop is Maru Koala & Animal Park for up close and personal encounters with koalas, kangaroos, Tasmanian Devils and much more!
You’ll cross the only bridge that connects Phillip Island to the mainland. Home to the famous Penguin Parade, Phillip Island also features a stunning coastline with great surf conditions and a range of wildlife including the largest colony of fur seals in Australia. It is also the location of our Motorcycle Grand Prix track, so it’s no wonder this island paradise attracts up to 3 million visitors each year.

Before reaching the Penguin Parade site you’ll see the ‘Nobbies’, so named for its unique rock formations. Located at the western tip of the island, this area has high conservation significance due to its population of penguins and graceful sea birds. So you think the koalas are cute – just wait until you see the Little Penguins. After visiting the information center, you’ll head down to Summerland Beach to witness penguin magic. As the sun sets, the wild Little Penguins emerge from the sea after a hard days fishing and waddle across the sand to their dune burrows. These Little Penguins are the smallest of the penguin species and Phillip Island is home to the largest colony in the world. It’s easy to understand why this wonderful spectacle is one of Australia’s most popular wildlife attractions.

Today is a day at leisure; you may wish to take in the many shops and restaurants the city has to offer.

Travel with a small group to the beauty of the Great Ocean Road. Known as the world’s most inspiring coastal drive, the Great Ocean Road starts at the lovely village of Torquay and passes through Lorne where you will get a bird’s eye view of the whole coastline. After lunch, a stop is made to view the Twelve Apostles and a stop to learn the sad history of Loch Ard Gorge before making your way back to Melbourne. (L)

It’s a total change of scenery today as you head into the Dandenong Ranges and Sherwood Forest with its colorful bird life, ride the restored Puffing Billing Steam Train and finally make your way to the Yarra Valley for a lunch stop at a local winery (own expense). After lunch, visit Healesville Sanctuary where your guide will escort you among Australia’s unique birds and animals in a natural bush setting. (L)

Today is at leisure until your transfer to the Melbourne airport for your onward travel arrangements.