Australia Wild Escapes

Penguins, Koalas and Wildlife Experience
Inclusions

Hotel pick up and drop off, highly qualified and knowledgeable guide, travel in luxury air - conditioned vehicles, home made afternoon tea, sumptuous dinner, entry to Koala Conservation Centre and Penguin Parade.
Itinerary

From the city we by-pass Melbourne's south-eastern suburbs before driving through beef and dairy cattle farms, horse breeding studs and swampland. A home made afternoon tea will be enjoyed on route before we pass through an interesting valley that's home to the world's longest earth worm. As we skirt Westernport and views of French Island we cross over the bridge to Phillip Island.

Recognised as a world leader for environmental conservation, Phillip Island's sandy and rocky shorelines team with wildlife including over 200 species of birds. Time permitting we can view the local fisherman cleaning their catch of the day whilst battling amongst the fight of gulls and pelicans.

Have a quick distant view of Churchill Island, home to Victoria's oldest garden and crop of wheat. On Phillip Island's northern side, look out for masked lapwings, spoonbills, ibis, herons and black swans. We then visit the south-side and check out some local surfers on a pristine beach overlooking the highest point of the island.

It's now time to visit the Koala Conservation Centre. This is one of the few areas in Victoria where you can see a protected koala colony. Walk amongst the treetops in nature reserve bushland and see wild koalas within touching distance! We may spot a wild wallaby or two as well. Time permitting we pass Swan Lake, the island's largest fresh water lake, and head to the Nobbies. From this magnificent headland, the views stretch over Mornington Peninsula and Bass Strait. One and half kilometres offshore are Seal Rocks, home to Australia's largest Australian Fur Seal colony.

Finally we get to the Penguin Parade. Each evening at dusk Little Penguins arrive in groups on the beach after a day of fishing. See them waddle their way into the dunes where their burrow nests are situated. We have access to the less populated boardwalks enabling you to gain close contact with the penguins without any hustle and bustle. Seeing, hearing and learning about the penguin behaviour, and their daily routines is an amazing experience.

Your evening finishes with dinner in the township of Cowes before returning to Melbourne late evening.

Please note in summer you will dine before the Penguin Parade. This itinerary is subject to change depending on weather and time of the year. The itinerary lists many options and the guide will do the best to see all of this before sunset and the arrival of the penguins.