We’ll start the day in Melbourne and head along the coast to our first stop of the day: Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park where your guide will show you around the award-winning wildlife park. Moonlit Sanctuary is home to stacks of well-known Aussie animals including kangaroos, wombats, and Tasmanian devils, plus many lesser-known species such as the spot-tailed quoll, yellow-bellied glider and long-nosed potoroo. Enjoy a ranger talk on koalas to learn more about one of Australia’s most popular marsupials. Admire the native Australian birds and reptiles, hand-feed kangaroos and wallabies or even get a photo with a fluffy koala (own expense).
We’ll continue the journey to Phillip Island, making our next stop at Cape Woolamai Beach. Watch the surfers in action and get some sand between your toes with a walk on the beach.
Next up we travel to the Nobbies, where you can wander the coastal boardwalks and admire the craggy scenery. Look out to Seal Rocks to see if you can spot any fur seals and be amazed as the blowhole shoots seawater into the air. In winter, you might get lucky and spot whales off the coast. In summer, peek inside the small burrows to see if there are any penguin chicks waiting for their parents to return home and feed them.
As the sun begins to lower, we’ll make our way to Summerland Beach ready for the main event. Once the sun has set, the little penguins will feel safe enough to emerge from the water in small groups and make their way across the beach. Take a stroll along the boardwalks to walk alongside these adorable birds as they waddle their way back to their nests with their bellies full from a day out at sea fishing.
After we depart the city, we’ll head straight for the eastern end of the Great Ocean Road to begin our journey along this spectacular coastal drive. We’ll stop for some morning tea where you can relax and enjoy the scenery before we head off to the Memorial Arch. Here, you can snap some photos at one of the route’s most iconic landmarks.
Lunch stop is in the beachside town of Apollo Bay, where you can tuck into local fare and refuel for an afternoon of incredible sightseeing. Afterwards, we’ll enjoy 20-minute guided bush walk to the Cascades of Melba Gully.
When all have returned we then head on to the 12 Apostles, one of Australia’s most famous landmarks. These limestone stacks form an incredible backdrop to the sea views, so be sure to bring your camera along.
Afterwards, we’ll move on to Loch Ard Gorge, which is shrouded by impressive limestone cliffs. We’ll take a walk here and check out the local attractions, including the Archway, the Razorback, and Dumpling Pots. You’ll also get to learn about Australia’s most famous shipwreck while you’re here.
Finally, we’ll make our way back to Melbourne via the road inland, travelling through a number of country towns along the way.
