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Experience Phillip Island like a local as you enjoy delicious food & wine, wildlife encounters, and spectacular sightseeing opportunities; all led by your engaging, local guide, and with the comfort of your Premium Seating ticket on board.
Explore the idyllic coastal township of Cowes with its golden sand beaches, or wander through the eucalypt trees of the Koala Conservation Reserve. Enjoy a sumptuous guided wine tasting and grazing platter at the Phillip Island Winery, before relaxing over a delicious gourmet grazing feast. At golden hour we will visit pristine beaches and wildlife boardwalks where Australian wildlife abounds, before entering the Penguin Parade where you’ll witness 1,000s of Penguins waddle up the beach at Sunset.
Inclusions on the Day
- Entry to Phillip Island Penguin Parade – General Viewing
- Cellar Door Wine Tasting & Grazing Platter
- Gourmet Grazing Feast at our Winery or Bay-Side Location
- Nobbies Golden Hour & Scenic Wildlife Boardwalk
- Explore the idyllic coastal village of Cowes
- Premium Seating Ticket – Window Seat Guarantee, WiFi, Charging Ports
- Authentic Small Group travel with an engaging Local Guide – max. 15 guests
- Complimentary Barista Coffee at your convenient departure point to start your day.
- Free 24 Hour Cancellation
- All Taxes and Fees
Upgraded Extras
- Koala Conservation Reserve +15pp
Not-Included
- Food & Drink other than what is state
Highlights of Your Journey
- Natural Wildlife Encounters
Witness the hundreds of the world’s smallest penguins, as well as Wallabies and other native Australian animals in their natural habitats - Taste the Region—Winery Visit
Enjoy a privately guided wine-tasting experience at the Phillip Island Winery with an accompanying grazing board followed by a delicious winery feast. - Nobbies Golden Hour Experience
Experience the Nobbies area like never before; with a visit to secluded beaches, time to wander the boardwalk, and a glass of sparkling wine - Relaxed Itinerary
Take time to enjoy the true beauty and offerings of Phillip Island, as we provide ample time to immerse yourself in this unique Island paradise.
Departure Time & Pickup Location
Our tours depart from the
MELBOURNE ARTS CENTRE – 100R St Kilda Road, Melbourne
This Melbourne Landmark is centrally located, easy to access, and provides plenty of entertainment and amenities for your convenience prior to our tour.
At Tours end we drop back at the same location, with optional City and Southbank Hotel Returns.
Daylight Savings (Oct- Mar)
11:00am – 11.30am
Non Daylight Savings (Apr – Sep)
10:00am – 10.30am
Tour Duration
10-12 Hours approx – return to MelbournePassengers on Board
15 Maximum
Important Information for Your Tour
Departure Details
Primary Departure Location: Melbourne Arts Centre, 100R St Kilda Road, Melbourne.
Arrival: Please arrive at least 10 minutes before departure time. Punctuality is crucial, as the tour departs on schedule and we will not be able to wait for you if you are late.
Click Here for further Departure Information
Secondary Departure: South Wharf OR Crown Hotels (this departure is only available if you have booked with us directly or through your hotel)
If you have selected a South Wharf or Crown Departure, then your departure time will be 30 minutes PRIOR to the regular tour start time shown on this email.
Please ensure you are ready by this time as we will not be able to wait.
Click Here for further Departure Information
Contact Us
If you have any questions or concerns on the day of the tour, please reach out via WhatsApp or email for prompt assistance.
Email: gday@localwaytours.com.au
Phone: +61 0417 887 234 (WhatsApp preferred)
What to Bring
There are no mandatory items required for this tour—just bring yourself!
However, a few additional items for a great experience you may like to bring:
- Small Day Bag: You may wish to bring a small day bag that can be left on board during the tour
- Warm Clothing: Regional Victoria can get chilly, even in summer. Check the weather forecast and pack accordingly.
- Water Bottle: Stay hydrated with refill stations available throughout the day.
- Phone Charger: Most buses have charging ports, but consider bringing a portable battery pack if you plan to take lots of photos.
- Snacks: The day’s journey is approximately 12 hours.
- Spending Money: Some stops may accept card payments only.
Dietary or Special Requirements
This tour features delicious food and drinks showcasing the taste of our local regions. Please let us know:
- If you have any dietary restrictions.
- If you have special requirements.
Without prior notice, we cannot guarantee accommodations on the day of the tour.
Note: Guests under 18 years of age will not be served alcohol during the tour.
Start Your Day the Melbourne Way
Enjoy a complimentary coffee to kickstart your adventure! Redeem your free coffee voucher at The Protagonist Café located right near the Melbourne Arts Centre.
Click here to claim your coffee voucher!
Thank you, and we look forward to an incredible day with you!
SUITS
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A huge part of what made the experience so special was our guide, Sue. She was friendly, knowledgeable, engaging, and made everyone feel welcome from the very beginning. Sue shared great information about the Yarra Valley and the wineries while keeping the day lighthearted and enjoyable. She struck the perfect balance between being informative and letting us relax and enjoy the experience.
The wine tastings were excellent, the stops were well chosen, and the beautiful Yarra Valley countryside made it a day we’ll remember for a long time.
We highly recommend this tour—and if you’re lucky enough to have Sue as your guide, you’re in for a fantastic day!
From the moment he picked us up at the airport, Shelton made us feel so welcome and looked after. Over the four days he took us through Melbourne’s CBD and famous laneways, shared his knowledge of the city, and accompanied us on our incredible Great Ocean Road adventure.
Shelton was incredibly knowledgeable and clearly passionate about Melbourne. He always seemed to have another interesting story, fact or little local insight to share, and he had a wonderful way of bringing everything to life. Nothing ever felt rushed or scripted.
But what we loved most was Shelton himself. He was such a genuinely lovely person. Warm, friendly, patient, thoughtful and incredibly easy to be around. With a group of 20 people, keeping everyone happy and on track isn't always an easy job, but Shelton handled everything with such ease and professionalism.
By the end of the four days, Shelton felt less like our tour guide and more like someone we were genuinely happy to have spent the time with. He became such a lovely part of our Melbourne experience.
The Great Ocean Road was an absolute highlight, and having Shelton with us made the day even more special. His knowledge, local recommendations and attention to our group made such a difference.
Shelton, thank you for looking after us so wonderfully. You were an absolute star, and we feel very lucky to have had you as our guide. You helped make our four days in Melbourne incredibly memorable, and we wouldn't hesitate to recommend you to anyone visiting the city.
We hope our paths cross again one day! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
He was diligent and informative without ever making the tour feel rushed. He taught me about Aussie Rules football (a completely new world to me), and introduced us to places we would never have discovered by ourselves, including a fantastic almond croissant near the Royal Botanic Gardens.
Ned’s enthusiasm felt completely genuine, and his thoughtful little touches elevated the entire experience. The tour was interesting, relaxed, well paced and very good value. A superb ambassador for Melbourne and an excellent guide.
The second tour, Mornington Peninsula Food & Wine Tour, lead by Perry who was a fantastic guide: friendly, respectful and remarkably attentive to every member of the group. He made a real effort to include everyone, regularly engaging us with thoughtful questions and creating a warm, relaxed atmosphere throughout the day.
The itinerary was excellent, and we discovered some truly outstanding wines, particularly at Port Phillip Estate that ranked among the best we have ever tasted. The large van was clean, comfortable and very well maintained, which made the journey even more enjoyable.
Perry’s local knowledge proved especially valuable on the return to Melbourne during a very busy Friday evening. He skilfully navigated the smaller streets, avoided the worst of the traffic and even found a way to drop us closer to our hotel (an incredibly thoughtful gesture, particularly as we were carrying a box of wine.)
A well-organised, personal and very good-value tour, made exceptional by Perry’s professionalism and genuine care for his guests.
Highly recommended!
We went on the Small Group Peninsula Hot Springs, Lunch & Wine Tour, which was perfect for the day after a long flight over from California.
Lunch at the Green Oliver winery hit the spot and the Peninsula Hot Springs were very well done. It was a cool winter day, which was a great fit for testing out the hot pools. When you go, be sure to check out the amazing views from the Hilltop Pool.
The tour is something we would highly recommend. It truly gives you a real taste of Melbourne through its sights, bites, and brews. We loved how it combined short walks through the famous laneways with convenient mini-van travel to cover more ground.
Sheldon was incredibly knowledgeable, sharing interesting insights about the city’s history, culture, and hidden gems. The mix of amazing local food experiences and sightseeing around the CBD made it a well-rounded and enjoyable experience.
If you’re looking for a great way to explore Melbourne, this tour is a must.
One of the main reasons we chose this tour was the hotel pick-up, which made the whole trip very convenient—especially as we were travelling with my elderly mum, who uses a wheelchair. Our guide, Michael, was extremely helpful and thoughtful. We brought along a foldable wheelchair, and he assisted with storing and deploying it whenever needed, which made a huge difference to our comfort and peace of mind.
The tour itself was well planned and comprehensive. We visited several scenic lookout points near The Nobbies, explored the Nobbies area, and then headed to the Penguin Parade. The tour company also managed to secure Penguin Plus tickets for us, which really enhanced the experience.
Michael shared interesting background information about Phillip Island and its wildlife, and even showed us how to spot penguins in their burrows—something we wouldn’t have noticed on our own.
Overall, it was an enjoyable, well-organised, and very inclusive tour. We truly appreciated the care shown to our family and would highly recommend this tour to anyone!
The weather was perfect, the locations were beautiful, and the wineries were excellent. It was such a relaxed, enjoyable day and a great way to experience the Mornington Peninsula. Highly recommend Local Way Tours and especially Jenny as a guide.
I joined the Phillip Island tour with Local Way Tours and it was truly an incredible experience. Everything was perfectly organised from start to finish, and the whole day ran smoothly. The team was professional, friendly, and clearly passionate about what they do.
What impressed me the most was how sustainable and animal-friendly all the stops were. Every place we visited treated the animals with real respect. I especially appreciated that you weren’t allowed to touch or disturb the koalas, which shows that they put the animals’ wellbeing first. It felt good to be part of a tour that chooses locations you can genuinely stand behind.
The nature, the wildlife encounters and the whole atmosphere made this day one of the highlights of my stay. I can wholeheartedly recommend Local Way Tours – I’d book with them again anytime!
It was a long day but, ultimately, worth every minute.
The wine element was a late substitution due to weather conditions forcing cancellation of the seal tour. This proved very interesting.
The Penguin Parade was amazing and well organised.
Thank you
Our driver, Yuri, was the star of the show. He was friendly, informative and when we got bogged did all he could to sort the problem as quickly as he could. We were lucky to meet some lovely people and perhaps because of being bogged got to spend time with them. One of the best days out we've had. A great way to spend my birthday.
Cheers, ‘U-Ray-nus’!
Communication 5🌟 Prompt & trustworthy, from booking to tour guide. It’s really nice when we’re kept in the loop as to what’s going on and options available to us along the way.
Price 5🌟 Considering the time involved, this tour was great value for us, plus the generous drop off service at the end of the night was really appreciated for two women.
Highlights:
🌟 We were lucky enough to get retired drama teacher Rod who put on an epic show, entertaining us on the drive to and from the island. Rod was enthusiastic & patient with us all, creating a vibe that made the trip relaxed & friendly. My 69 year old mum felt included & I got all my queries answered.
🌟 Sunset drinks at Flynn’s beach: what a lovely time watching surfers sipping on champagne, enjoying an iconic Aussie beach scene before the penguins.
🌟 Tips provided: thanks to Rod, we fit in fish and chips, went penguin burrow hunting for baby penguins (we saw lots of babies, wallabies, native birds) landed a great spot to see penguins without having to upgrade and didn’t get lost back to the bus.
Meanwhile, Rod is a globe trotter so make sure to squeeze him for tips on other places to visit in Australia & overseas.
🌟 Overall, I can see how this tour and its operators are winning all the awards. Well done guys, 👏👏👏 we loved the whole experience and would recommend you to our friends.
Ps The cruise part to seal island was bumpy but well worth seeing baby seals. Take sea sick tablets. The cruise crew were young, professional & friendly which was refreshing.
A comfy bus, with a small group.
A great driver/guide, Jordan, (was that his name 😜) who kept the group vibing, and in check.
Only a half day tour, but just enough.
Delicious wineries included. 🫶🏻
During the drive he shared so many fun facts and stories about Melbourne, which made the journey really engaging. The tour itself was well-paced, and we visited three different wineries, tasting an amazing total of 17 wines. Each stop offered a unique experience, from boutique cellars to scenic estates.
Despite the rain, the entire afternoon was incredibly enjoyable and I felt well looked after. My tour guide's professionalism and enthusiasm were key to making this such a memorable experience. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a great half-day wine tour from Melbourne.
We visited one winery where the meal was delicious and the wine was excellent, then spent time at the hot springs which were absolutely beautiful and relaxing. The whole day was perfectly paced and really enjoyable.
Ray truly made the experience special – we couldn’t have asked for a better guide. Highly recommend this tour, especially with Ray!
We travelled through some beautiful scenery: such vibrant colours especially the yellow fields of canola! I felt I got a real sense of being in country Victoria.
There were plenty of unique experiences to enjoy including a paddlesteamer trip, a fauna park, silo art and a wine tasting in a gorgeous hill side vineyard setting. I was able to buy some yummy wine and cheese to take home too!
Our guide Jordan made sure everyone was happy and everything ran smoothly. The bus was clean and comfortable too.
It was a great day and an opportunity to visit an area that not many other tour companies cover which made it feel a bit special too!
The highlight was definitely the Penguin Parade, watching hundreds of Little Penguins waddle up the beach at sundown was absolutely magical. Along the way, we stopped by a koala conservatory.
The Scenic Wildlife Cruise was another standout. Being so close to Australia’s largest fur seal colony was incredible, there were thousands of seals all around, and the views of Phillip Island’s coastline from the boat were breathtaking. We were lucky and spotted a few southern right whales as well as a humpback whale.
The guides were knowledgeable, friendly, and clearly passionate about wildlife and conservation, which made the tour even more meaningful.
Highly recommend this experience, whether you love animals, beautiful landscapes, or just want a unique and relaxing day, this is a must-do when visiting Phillip Island!
We got to visit all the top spots — the Koala Reserve, The Nobbies, and of course the magical Penguin Parade 🐧 (which was the perfect way to end the day). There was also a bunch of local wildlife along the way, which made the trip even more special!
What I loved most is that you get to choose between a winery visit with a chilled lunch and views OR a wildlife cruise to see seals and whales 🛥️🍷 (we picked both (on different dates — 10/10 recommend!).
The guides were super friendly and really knew their stuff — felt like we were exploring with locals rather than being on a generic tour. Would 100% recommend this if you’re visiting Phillip Island or even if you’re a local looking for a great day trip!
Thanks Local Way Tours for such a fun experience! 🙌
I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this tour to anyone.
Would highly recommend to learn about the island.
We were with Russell and had a wonderful day trip starting from Winery, Seagull nest coast, Wallaby jumping road and finally thousands of penguins are coming back to their home. Thank you so much Russell to make this precious timw happen and I strongly recommend this experience with my colleagues after I back to the Seoul. Thank you so much 🥰♥️
Each stop was great and had all tastings and lunch (which was lovely) included in the price as well as some local attractions/views to stop along on the way!
Sue was amazing and so friendly throughout the day and definitely made the tour!
I would like to leave a review. Our tour guide was Caitlin . My husband & I had an amazing day from start to finish.
We enjoyed the winery plus lunch & the penguin parade.
Nothing was a problem for Caitlin. She looked after our small group exceptionally well. Very friendly & knowledgeable. Would highly recommend this tour !!
Paul and Angie TSIKNAS
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