Duration:
12h
Cruise the Murray River on a heritage paddle steamer, meet native wildlife at Kyabram Fauna park, capture colourful silo art, and marvel at the striking Pink Cliffs on this unforgettable day tour.
Operated By:
Discover the beauty and heritage of regional Victoria on this unforgettable full-day tour from Melbourne. Begin your adventure at Kyabram Fauna Park, where kangaroos, koalas, wombats and the extraordinary cassowary await. This open-range sanctuary offers a rare chance to see some of Australia’s most iconic and unique wildlife up close.
Next, travel to the historic river port of Echuca and step aboard a heritage paddle steamer. As you cruise the mighty Murray River, take in the peaceful red gum forests, rustic riverbanks and timeless river views that showcase the charm of country Australia.
Continue your journey to discover some of Victoria’s most photogenic secrets. In Rochester and Colbinabbin, towering silos have been transformed into enormous outdoor canvases, painted with vibrant murals that tell the stories of local communities. These larger-than-life artworks are a highlight for photography lovers and make for spectacular Instagram moments.
The day concludes at the Pink Cliffs Reserve, where mineral-rich clay formations glow in shades of blush pink, deep orange and gold. Carved into dramatic shapes over time, this little-known natural wonder feels like stepping onto another planet — a truly breathtaking backdrop for memorable photos.
Blending wildlife encounters, historic river cruising, striking regional art and natural beauty, the Murray River, Paddle Steamer & Wildlife Experience offers a day of discovery and unforgettable experiences. It’s the perfect way for international visitors to see another side of Victoria and return home with stories — and photos — to treasure.
Ensure a pleasant outing with these essentials:
- Comfortable trainers or walking shoes
- Refillable water bottle
- Cash or credit card for lunch & snacks
- Warm layers for unexpected weather
- Sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat for sun protection
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
For a guaranteed departure we require a minimum of 4 guests. If the minimum numbers are not met, our team will advise of alternative dates with guaranteed departures.
100% cancellation fee applies for tours cancelled within 48 hours of departure.
Changes to your booking, including change of date can be made up to 48 before departure free of charge providing availability. No changes can be made within 48 hours of departure.
Within 48 hours you can transfer your booking to another person, we must be advised of the name change and contact details along with any dietary requirements.
The provider will not be held responsible for passengers failing to familiarise themselves with the booking terms and conditions
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Despite the weather's best attempt to spoil it, we had a fantastic day under Jose's guidance on the Puffing Billy and Penguin Parade tour. It's a long tour at nearly 12 hours but it seems to disappear in minutes. The bus too was excellent with ample leg room (I'm 6"), comfortable seats, each with USB charging, and perfect onboard climate. Can highly recommend Explore Australia!
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Mark
21 Sep 2025
So nice trip!!! We have a really great time with Matt.He is a really nice guy.Matt told us a lot of creatures about the national park.This trip was so interesting.I really love it!read moreread less
exploreaustours, Guest Relations Manager at Explore Australia Tours, responded to this review - 2025-08-30
Thank you for your review! We are thrilled you had such a great time on the Puffing Billy & Rainforest Tour. We are glad Matt could share his knowledge and make the trip so interesting and enjoyable. We really appreciate your kind words!
J
29 Aug 2025
Wonderful Puffing Billy steam train tour Great tour and very nice tour guide, Lee Lee. Very kind and clear instructions for tour details. Drive very stable and smoothly in mountain roads!! Very nice experience and recommend!!read moreread less
exploreaustours, Guest Relations Manager at Explore Australia Tours, responded to this review - 2025-08-30
Thank you for your review! We are thrilled you enjoyed the Puffing Billy Steam Train tour and that LeeLee made the experience so enjoyable with clear guidance. We are also glad you found the drive comfortable and smooth. We appreciate your recommendation!
Flyer02509658349
28 Aug 2025
Puffing Billy Highly recommended. Lee Lee was very informative and able to give us recommendations on where to go around in melbourne. She was very cheerful. The puffing billy was a great experience. The animals were also very cuteread moreread less
exploreaustours, Guest Relations Manager at Explore Australia Tours, responded to this review - 2025-08-30
Thank you for your review! We are delighted you enjoyed the Puffing Billy Steam Train tour and found the animals adorable. We are glad LeeLee could share helpful tips and make the day cheerful and informative. We really appreciate your recommendation!
lsofieanna
28 Aug 2025
Lovely day out. Great day out. Jose was a good guide and driver and very calm and thoughtful. Puffing billy was fun and the penguins were gorgeous.read moreread less
exploreaustours, Guest Relations Manager at Explore Australia Tours, responded to this review - 2025-08-28
Thank you for your review! We are delighted you had a lovely day on the Puffing Billy Train & Penguins Wildlife Tour. We’re glad Jose made the experience calm and enjoyable, and that you loved the train ride and penguins!
Lark
26 Aug 2025
Awesome experience with EA Excellent curated tour, plus our tour guide, Jose, is very kind. He provided very clear instructions and a very informative time while cruising on the road.read moreread less
exploreaustours, Guest Relations Manager at Explore Australia Tours, responded to this review - 2025-08-28
Thank you for sharing your review! We are so pleased you enjoyed the Puffing Billy Steam Train & Wildlife Tour and that José’s kindness and clear guidance made the experience even more enjoyable.
Passenger09412419514
25 Aug 2025
Amazing 🤩 Awesome experience and Michael was a great guide. Would recommend to everyone who is wanting to experience the train ride and penguinsread moreread less
exploreaustours, Guest Relations Manager at Explore Australia Tours, responded to this review - 2025-08-28
Thank you for your review! We are delighted you enjoyed the Puffing Billy Train & Penguins Wildlife Tour and that Michael made the day so memorable. We truly appreciate your recommendation.
Mel-79-D
25 Aug 2025
We were very satisfied with our Explore Australia Tours experience on August 16, 2025. We are from Perth and we joined the Puffing Billy and Penguin Parade tour, and our driver Stuart truly made the trip both knowledgeable and enjoyable.
Not only did he share insights about Puffing Billy Train and the Penguin Parade, but he also gave us interesting information about the places we passed along the way. Stuart was very friendly, approachable, and even gave us great tips on where to visit in Melbourne for the rest of our stay.
Thumbs up to Explore Australia for having such an excellent guide—good job, Stuart!
Not only did he share insights about Puffing Billy Train and the Penguin Parade, but he also gave us interesting information about the places we passed along the way. Stuart was very friendly, approachable, and even gave us great tips on where to visit in Melbourne for the rest of our stay.
Thumbs up to Explore Australia for having such an excellent guide—good job, Stuart!
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Nympha
16 Aug 2025
A truly unforgettable experience with Explore Australia Tours!
We joined the tour on July 14th and had the pleasure of being guided by Michael, who was absolutely fantastic from start to finish.
Pick-up was perfectly on time, and the ride was smooth and comfortable throughout the day. Michael took great care of every group on board and shared his deep knowledge about the local wildlife and surroundings, making the journey both educational and engaging.
The itinerary was incredibly well-organized. From the charming Puffing Billy Steam Train ride to the magical Penguin Parade at Phillip Island, everything ran like clockwork. We had front-row views of the penguins returning to shore — a truly breathtaking moment!
What made this tour stand out was how worry-free it was. We didn’t have to plan a thing — just sat back, relaxed, and soaked in the amazing sights.
Highly recommended for anyone looking for a smooth, fun, and well-managed day out in Victoria. Thanks again, Michael and the team!
We joined the tour on July 14th and had the pleasure of being guided by Michael, who was absolutely fantastic from start to finish.
Pick-up was perfectly on time, and the ride was smooth and comfortable throughout the day. Michael took great care of every group on board and shared his deep knowledge about the local wildlife and surroundings, making the journey both educational and engaging.
The itinerary was incredibly well-organized. From the charming Puffing Billy Steam Train ride to the magical Penguin Parade at Phillip Island, everything ran like clockwork. We had front-row views of the penguins returning to shore — a truly breathtaking moment!
What made this tour stand out was how worry-free it was. We didn’t have to plan a thing — just sat back, relaxed, and soaked in the amazing sights.
Highly recommended for anyone looking for a smooth, fun, and well-managed day out in Victoria. Thanks again, Michael and the team!
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Eric
16 Jul 2025
It was a lovely time exploring outside Melbourne where we went to the Puffing Billy and Penguin Parade. Our guide Adam has very knowledgeable on everything we need to know about the places. He was very approachable and offered us in taking photos. Great experience!
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Jomarisse
07 Jul 2025
We took the French Island/Philips Island tour and greatly enjoyed ourselves! Scott, Lee and Celia were very friendly and accommodating to us. Lee was very knowledgeable and enthusiastic in sharing about French Island. His home-cooked meal, as well as Scott’s extensive knowledge about koalas and the island as a whole, really added a sense of authenticity to our experience! Scott also stopped at every opportunity to let us take pictures of the wild koalas. Darren, our Philip Island guide was also incredibly friendly and shared much interesting information about the wildlife on the island. He also very kindly pointed out as much of the wildlife for us to see, and was very punctual, which we greatly appreciated.
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Tracy
14 May 2025
We were in Melbourne for just a few days and booked two tours. The Philip island penguin parade was terrific, seeing the little penguins emerge from the sea in their hundreds was heartwarming. The journey to it included a visit to the Moonlit Sanctuary where hand feeding kangaroos and wallabies was a completely unexpected lifetime moment our lady guide whose name I can't remember was great. The other tour to the Puffing Billy train was equally good and included a visit to the lovely Healesville Sanctuary with more kangaroos and koalas. Our Guide Darren was great and took the trouble to take and share videos of the train journey.
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David
09 May 2025
As a tourist with limited days and a lot to do, organized day tours are a great way to feel more sorted and make the most of your time.
I joined the Great Ocean Road trip with Explore Australia Tours. While I would have loved to spend more time at each spot and truly soak it all in, doing so would require multiple days and overnight stays, which wasn’t feasible for me.
In that case, day tours like this are perfect when you want to experience the highlights within a limited timeframe.
Our tour guide and driver, Andy, was an amazing host — sharing history, fun facts, and important details about each location before dropping us off to explore.
We were a small group of 11 and traveled in a comfortable minivan. I was lucky to get the front seat, and it made the trip even more enjoyable with the stunning views along the water!
Highly recommend if you’re looking to experience the Great Ocean Road efficiently and with a knowledgeable guide.
I joined the Great Ocean Road trip with Explore Australia Tours. While I would have loved to spend more time at each spot and truly soak it all in, doing so would require multiple days and overnight stays, which wasn’t feasible for me.
In that case, day tours like this are perfect when you want to experience the highlights within a limited timeframe.
Our tour guide and driver, Andy, was an amazing host — sharing history, fun facts, and important details about each location before dropping us off to explore.
We were a small group of 11 and traveled in a comfortable minivan. I was lucky to get the front seat, and it made the trip even more enjoyable with the stunning views along the water!
Highly recommend if you’re looking to experience the Great Ocean Road efficiently and with a knowledgeable guide.
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Harshitha
28 Apr 2025
Very exciting & Fabulous trip , food & wine.& tea & pastries & beer , 🍺 Nice Good trip & excellent Guide cum Driver , Very Polite & smile & Supportive, Thank you Explore India , I am visitor from India ,read moreread less
Srinivasulu
20 Dec 2024
Blackadder: "Baldrick, I want you to take this and go out and buy a turkey so large, you'd think its mother had been rogered by Would happily follow Matt wherever he was leading, however wacky or dangerous. No danger here though, with excellent choice of venues and photo stops, other than over-indulging and laughing and learning too much. Highly recommended.read moreread less
UKgeni
20 Dec 2024
A Puffing Good Time Great mix of outdoor forest and wildlife reserve activities centred around the unmissable Puffing Billy steam train ride. Perfectly scheduled and driven by Margaret whose enthusiasm and experience exelled.read moreread less
UKgeni
20 Dec 2024
Strongly recommend Gina is very informative and good at photography. We absolutely had a great day. Strongly recommend this tour to everyone who’s visiting Melbourne.read moreread less
Lishan
19 Dec 2024
Funny Matt A day on the Puffing Billy Railway is absolutely worth it!The historic steam train departs from Lakeside and weaves through the vast Dandenong Ranges. With a unique experience and lots to see, there is no going wrong with a Puffing Billy train ride.
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Baby
18 Dec 2024
Puffing Billy steam train Great trip up to the Dandenong hills. Coach driver Matt was a laugh a minute, great personality and informative too. Puffing Billy steam train ride through the hills then a stop at Healesville wildlife sanctuaryread moreread less
PMNC
04 Dec 2024
It was a great tour for puffing billy and penguin parade. Though we started a bit late, Sam was able to catch up with the last train for Puffing Billy. He's a nice tour guide in which he really waits for the people to be back, there is a given time, good thing there is no pressure and people are back with no rush. Thanks Sam for the wonderful tour!
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Rose
29 Oct 2024
Sam is both a good driver and a person willing to share his favourite 12 Apostles alike spot (first photo) and fun stories. He tried to drop us as many spots as possible and managed to get us to see a koala closely.
However it’s a very packed agenda and long ride, the lunch place wasn’t really good, so you may prepare some snacks and go to toilet as much you needed. Also the tour was not very guided, so you could do some homework before you go.
However it’s a very packed agenda and long ride, the lunch place wasn’t really good, so you may prepare some snacks and go to toilet as much you needed. Also the tour was not very guided, so you could do some homework before you go.
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Audrey
28 Oct 2024
Had a great day with Sam on the Puffing Billy trip. The train is an amazing experience, well worth the day on its own. I wish we'd had a little more time at Healesville as there's so much to see. Awesome day out.
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Gillian
21 Oct 2024
We booked the great ocean rd tour for 10/09/2024 via klook and it was amazing. We got Margaret as our tour guide and she was fantastic. She arrived early at the pick up point and was full of energy eventhough it was an early call time at 6.30am. She navigates the road very well and we arrived at the destinations with fewer people. For the forest tour, she was knowledgeable and walked with us throughout. She gave ample of time for us to explore the areas and did not rush us all. Overall, it was an amazing journey with her.
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Danial
21 Sep 2024
I had an amazing experience on the Puffing Billy and Penguin Parade tour with our guide, Sam! His enthusiasm and in-depth knowledge made the journey truly memorable. Sam shared fascinating stories about Puffing Billy, adding context to the beautiful scenery. At the Penguin Parade, he ensured we had the best spots and highlighted the importance of wildlife conservation. His friendly demeanor created a warm atmosphere for the whole group. I highly recommend Sam as a tour guide for anyone looking to explore these iconic attractions!☺️☺️
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Shiv
16 Sep 2024
Penguins Rock and Koala's Rule! The tour company was amazing, the bus was top-notch and Ryan & Scott were incredible tour guides! If you're going to spend money on anything, spend it on the Ranger Guided tour @ Phillip's Island - where the penguins are at a must see!read moreread less
JeffreyG1116
21 Jun 2024
Gorgeous day at hot water springs! Had an amazing experience going on the Hot water springs tour with Gina! She went out of her way to make this day a really great one, giving us some very interesting facts about Melbourne and Australia as well as about the places we were headed to (she’s a great storyteller!), always being very happy to take photos and enriching the experience with some wildlife viewing on our way back!Gina also very kindly lent me her powerbank when I needed to charge my phone! I was surprised to learn she was new to tour guiding because she’s done a fantastic job, again thank you so much for everything Gina!!
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Joanna
19 Jun 2024
Mid-experience...not worth it There were many aspects of this tour that give me reason to not give it 5 stars. First, our tour guide was sick and coughing up a storm the entire time, which is not a good idea if you're going to be driving a small vehicle with a total of 6 people. I am now sick as well. Second, I feel like the timing of everything was not allocated well. We had two hours at Moonlit Sanctuary, which was way too much time. We finished walking around in about 45 minutes, even with two school groups there. There was not enough time at the Noobies or Cowes. I would've specifically liked to have more time in Cowes to have time to check out more shops and cafes.
I reckon the day was just overall poorly planned. Which lunch not included, the price isn't worth it. I wouldn't do it again.
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oj131418
18 Jun 2024
Fun day trip on Puffing Billy train. Vintage train ride was fun. Animal sanctuary was very interesting. Driver/guide was friendly and helpful. Nice scenery along the way.read moreread less
Sy
17 Jun 2024
Best Trip & Guider Ever Amazing guider!He made the trip so much better and fun, he got us into the train even though they cancelled our ticket the same day. He also knew everything about all the places and gave us directions on how to enjoy it to the max. Nice type of music too, all the best my brother Safaripete.
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Mohammed
16 Jun 2024
Amazing experience and a very memorable trip with Peter as our guide Peter is an amazing guide. He thoroughly entertained us and provided us with very useful information through his commentary. He made our journey very comfortable and enjoyable. The tour had regular stops in between which provided us with ample time for refreshment and for breaks. I would say this was for me and my family the best tour we had and Peter had a big hand in it. I am already looking forward to having future tours with Explore Australia and hopefully with Peter :)read moreread less
ashutoshsharma99
08 Jun 2024
Incredible Mornington Peninsula Wine & Food Tour with Margaret!
Our guide Margaret was simply outstanding - her passion for the region, deep knowledge, and caring nature made this tour an absolute delight. Margaret expertly guided us through wineries, where the wine was consistently excellent. She also took us to hidden gem foodie hotspots, including Jack Rabbit where the cuisine was exceptional. Throughout the day, the stunning natural beauty of the Mornington Peninsula was on full display. Margaret's thoughtful recommendations and personal touches made the experience truly special. If you want an exceptional wine and food tour, be sure to request Margaret as your guide!
P.S. love every songs Margaret playing in car!
Our guide Margaret was simply outstanding - her passion for the region, deep knowledge, and caring nature made this tour an absolute delight. Margaret expertly guided us through wineries, where the wine was consistently excellent. She also took us to hidden gem foodie hotspots, including Jack Rabbit where the cuisine was exceptional. Throughout the day, the stunning natural beauty of the Mornington Peninsula was on full display. Margaret's thoughtful recommendations and personal touches made the experience truly special. If you want an exceptional wine and food tour, be sure to request Margaret as your guide!
P.S. love every songs Margaret playing in car!
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Matthew
29 May 2024
I did the Full-Day Penguins and Wildlife Nature Experience from Melbourne!! Such an incredible day! Pick up was easy, we stopped for lunch and the Moonlit Wildlife Sanctuary + the Penguin Parade was amazing! Our tour guide, Gina was exceptional and had in-depth knowledge of the local area. Gina really knew extensive details about Australia’s history, including its native ancestors, and about the extraordinary local wildlife including the wallabies, koalas, kangaroos, emus, penguins, and so much more. The tour itself was spectacular, but with Gina’s amazingly warm attitude and expertise really pushed it over the top. Thank you again for a wonderful and memorable tour!
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Natalie
30 Apr 2024
We had a great time with our host Margaret during the healsville and puffing Billy tour.
Very hospitable and welcoming. A local from Victoria so she helped us squeeze in some lesser known knowledge about eucalyptus trees with a national park stroll.
I had a 4 year old and explore Australia was totally responsive through out.
The only thing that can be improved on this tour is to squeeze in 15 mins for lakeside walk and picture during puffing Billy trip.
Great playlist of songs too ;)
Very hospitable and welcoming. A local from Victoria so she helped us squeeze in some lesser known knowledge about eucalyptus trees with a national park stroll.
I had a 4 year old and explore Australia was totally responsive through out.
The only thing that can be improved on this tour is to squeeze in 15 mins for lakeside walk and picture during puffing Billy trip.
Great playlist of songs too ;)
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nikunj
23 Apr 2024
Had an incredible tour experience with guide Matt! He effortlessly interacted with the team, creating a friendly and engaging atmosphere throughout. His knowledge about Australia penguins was impressive, providing us with fascinating insights and making the tour educational as well as enjoyable. What stood out was Matt's ability to handle unexpected situations with ease. When some team members forgot the meet-up time, he remained calm and quickly adjusted the itinerary, ensuring we still had a fantastic time. I highly recommend Matt as a tour guide for his exceptional interpersonal skills, informative commentary, and adept management of unexpected circumstances.
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Kicker
25 Mar 2024
The Puffing Billy and Penguin Parade day tour was a fantastic experience for our family. It was the main highlight of our week long stay in Melbourne. Our tour guide cum driver, Jai and Alex were both professional and informative. They gave very useful tips making our trip even more enjoyable.
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Selina
07 Mar 2024
Great Tour What an excellent Trip with a guide who was of full and jokes and very knowledgeable.Jai made every minute of the tour worth it.
Thanks heaps explorer Australia and JAI Jai
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Debbie
15 Jan 2024
Great way to spend the day in Melbourne! The tour was fantastic! Our tour guide Hunter (and trainee, Leah) were very friendly and personable. The Moonlit sanctuary was amazing as we were able to meet the koalas (paid extra) and hand feed the kangaroos and wallabies. A couple of extra stops that let us stretch our legs were very welcome. Lovely dinner at Isola in Cowes, followed by the Penguin Parade. We didn’t get the best seat (maybe Penguin Plus is worth the upgrade) but after ten-fifteen minutes, people had moved so we could get a better view. Walking back along the boardwalk we saw so many penguins which was lovely (hard to resist the temptation to take photos, but lots of people didn’t). Back home around 12:15am in Melbourne, so it was a very long day, but worth it. Would highly recommend!read moreread less
S80MJB2015
12 Jan 2024
Margaret made the trip Exceptional and an asset as a tour guide We did a full day tour to Mornington Peninsula and Ferry Lunch we visited Bathing Boxes Arthur’s Seat with an amazing view of the bay, through Portsea lunch on the ferry and a sampler of beers at St Andrew’s Beach Brewery. What made our trip exceptional and stand apart from other tours was Margaret with her infectious passion for the country, her knowledge and absolute willingness to make our day exceptional Thank You Margaret you are a breath of fresh air as your incredible commentary
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Adventure35677469159
09 Jan 2024
We went on a fantastic Puffing Billy tour with Margaret from Explore Australia Tours. From start to finish this was an amazing experience with a knowledgeable , energetic and friendly guide that lead us to the best spots and how to get the most from our tour. An amazing walk through a wet rainforest with some very tall trees. Puffing Billy was great fun and for those able to hang their legs out the window it was even better. I mean what can be better than having your legs hanging out from a moving choo-choo train? Not much. And the visit to the Healesville sanctuary gave us parrot attacks as well as cool Kangaroos. A well spent day.
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Peter
07 Jan 2024
Amazing tour with fantastic guide Well planned tour indeed. Our guide Margaret is nice, always around and willing to help at anytime. Reasonable time was given at each stop albeit a day tour setting. The Healesville Sanctuary was amazing and I really hope we could stay there a bit longer to look at the amazing animals before getting back to Melbourne for dinner!read moreread less
Samson
04 Jan 2024
Brilliant day exploring countryside with warm guide! Trip included a stop in the temperate rainforest in Sherbrooke, before heading into the Puffing Billy railway, and finally an afternoon at Healsville Sanctuary. Margaret was our guide for the day and her warmth, passion and love for nature truly impressed us. She was also knowledgeable and gave us a lot of useful tips and information - guiding us through the forest walk and what to look out for the zoo. She even managed to catch our Puffing train at the intersection and shot amazing photos for us!
Overall, a brilliant day, beautiful countryside and warm human touch. Truly Aussie experience.
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FarAway27903606717
04 Jan 2024
Disappointed with customer services Unfortunately our flight got cancelled and I was really disappointed to hear that there are no policy for situations like this to at least refund the amount that has been paid for transportation as the hot spring tickets only worth max. $150 for two people, and we paid $370 it would've been great to get at least half of our money refunded as the flight cancellation was absolutely out of our control, we even offered to reschedule for another time and the gentleman from the team said he will look into it and let us know on the same day, we emailed the team to get an update but we didn't receive any phone calls or email This was not the customer service we expected from tripadvisor and we still hope someone from the team call us and help us with this matter and solve the problem
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Fatemeh
04 Jan 2024
Booked Around the Bay Food and Wine taste trail but it was cancelled and substituted with Mornington Peninsula Food and Wine Trail. The sail in the former tour was replaced by a visit to another winery in the latter tour. Was a little disappointed as I booked the former, as I didn't want too much wine tasting. Anyway, the tour was good and Matt was excellent throughout, very engaging and informative.
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Shiro
22 Dec 2023
Daytrip - Aussie animals and vistas - south from Melbourne. The Key to the day was our guide - Margaret. It was her growing up area - I think she mentioned Cranbourne - but every year to Phillip Island with her family. Her passion for the place was infectious - as much as her concern for the welfare of the animals and the environment. And her choices of music when not giving commentaries on where we were to go and on what we had seen. The Moonlit Sanctuary was excellent - and the perfect place for overseas visitors. And then crossing the bridge from San Remo onto Phillip Island. - visiting various points - looking out to Bass Strait - to Cowes and to The Nobbies - and finally to the beach for post-sunset Little Penguins' experience. My wife and I were in Melbourne where we married 50 years ago on Dec 15, 1973. Our first time to Phillip Island. Would highly recommend this Explore Australia visit to anyone visiting Melbourne without a car. Around 300+ kms round trip. Ask for Margaret!read moreread less
Jim
20 Dec 2023
Loved it! Great views of the little penguins. Our tourguide was very caring and explained a lot about the animals. Even though P. I. was very touristic and I worried a little about the penguins being distracted, as so many people took photos after dark although it was strictly prohibited. French Island was pure nature. We saw many koalas in their natural environment and had nice lunch on a farm. HIghly recommended tour!read moreread less
Nicole
19 Dec 2023
Amazing experience with heaps of wildlife Had an amazing time! Alena was very knowledgeable and helpful. With each destination we got plenty of time to explore the place on our own, and on the bus we got to learn about the area we were visiting.read moreread less
Ezra
14 Dec 2023
Touring with Matt Matt was a fantastic guide! Tour was exactly as described and highly recommended. As a solo traveler he made me feel welcomed and went above and beyond with travel tips during my Melbourne stay.read moreread less
MikevCT
11 Dec 2023
Great experience This was an amazing tour. Our guide was Margaret and she is great. We went to some nice places and saw a lot of local wildlife both during the trip and in our destinations. Our guide told us lots of interesting stuff both about the places and the animals.read moreread less
Andrii
09 Dec 2023
penguins good itinerary bad The five stars are for the driver (a former surfer who used to live on Phillip Island). She did an outstanding job managing a full van and creating an atmosphere that was informative and fun. The tour program leaves a lot to be desired. The "Moonlit sanctuary" is a glorified petting zoo with a few cages of unhappy-looking eagles, owls and dingoes, a few wallabies and kangaroos sauntering among dead branches surrounding a muddy lake. Access to most facilities was forbidden without a special pass. The stop is useless to anyone who has ever visited an Australian zoo or a real sanctuary a la Currumbin yet takes 1-2 hours. This means that you run out of time for gems like the Woolamai Beach (15 min stay, ridiculous).
The penguins were great.
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Kai
25 Nov 2023
We booked Phillip Island and French Island tour ,Matthew was our tour guide fantastic so funguy,We saw lots of Koalas in French Island and also had a free lunch in one of the cottages and saw Koalas in an oak tree,amazing experience ,penguins in Phillip island overall experience fantastic, highly recommended
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mar
14 Nov 2023
We had an amazing day trip to Philip Island. Our guide was funny, knowledgeable and very kind. The stop at Moonlit Sanctuary was great, we were able to feed some kangaroos and wallabies.
And what a better way to end the day than to watch the adorable small penguins coming from the water. Amazing day!
And what a better way to end the day than to watch the adorable small penguins coming from the water. Amazing day!
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Elena
02 Nov 2023
Wonderful tour guide Our tour guide Matt, is very friendly and funny.. Giving us detailed trip explanation and making us laughed during whole day tour. Its memorable and wonderful experience .. thank you mattread moreread less
Escape67450049653
09 Oct 2023
Special experience for first-timers The weather was nice. We couldn’t see the Lyrebird at the first spot. But the sun came out just the right time while we’re traveling on the Puffing Billy. The train staff were super friendly and everyone waved their hands to the passengers. Our Guide Matt was friendly, chatty and he greeted everyone and cheered us up. I’d recommend this trip to all first-timers.read moreread less
Janis
09 Oct 2023
My wife and I both had such a great experience with Explore Australia Tours. We have only been in Australia for a short time after moving from Scotland and were grateful for the knowledgeable staff who enjoyed educating us along the way and answering all of our questions about the Australian wildlife.
Balanced scheduled throughout the day and didn’t feel rushed at any point. Big thank you to Brooke who made us feel very welcomed and in good hands.
Keep up the good work team, we will be recommending you to our friends and family when they come to visit. 5 stars!
Balanced scheduled throughout the day and didn’t feel rushed at any point. Big thank you to Brooke who made us feel very welcomed and in good hands.
Keep up the good work team, we will be recommending you to our friends and family when they come to visit. 5 stars!
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Jack
08 Oct 2023
We’ll be back for more! Had a great day exploring the Bellarine peninsula with my lovely wife. We were looked after by the crew at Explore Australia Tours and couldn’t speak highly enough of the friendly and personable staff. Brooke looked after us and made us feel like we were at home.Very grateful for the experience and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this to our friends or grandkids.
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Sightsee28905453504
08 Oct 2023
Went for the Healesville Sanctuary and Puffing Billy day tour with Matt. Humourous guy, informative and made sure everyone had a good time. Thank you! Also, bus was new, clean and comfortable.
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Begonia
27 Sep 2023
An enjoyable tour This was my third time visiting Philip Island, and I still enjoyed the experience. The penguin parade was amazing.Our tour guide Matthew was nice and funny. We enjoyed the tour very much.
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exploreaustours, Guest Relations Manager at Explore Australia Tours, responded to this review - 2023-10-03
Thank you for your kind words! We're thrilled you had a great time on your third visit to Philip Island. Matthew is a gem, and we're delighted you enjoyed the penguin parade with us! 🐧🌟
SondesLeung
27 Sep 2023
I did the Peninsula Hot Springs Tour with Brooke and it was the most fantastic tour! Explore Australia are a great company to go with, and Brooke was like a ray of sunshine. She went out of her way to make sure we had the best day out. Highly recommend!
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Kyra
25 Sep 2023
Hot Springs with Brooke 10/10! I did the Peninsula Hot Springs Tour with Brooke and it was the most fantastic tour! Explore Australia are a great company to go with, and Brooke was like a ray of sunshine. She went out of her way to make sure we had the best day out. Highly recommend!read moreread less
exploreaustours, Guest Relations Manager at Explore Australia Tours, responded to this review - 2023-10-03
Thank you for the wonderful review! We're thrilled you had a fantastic time on the Peninsula Hot Springs Tour with Brooke. She's indeed a ray of sunshine, and we appreciate your recommendation. We hope you can come back soon for more memorable experiences with Explore Austalia Tours! ☀️😊
Kyra
24 Sep 2023
Brooke was truly amazing! She radiated enthusiasm and genuinely cared about everyone in the group. I had a fantastic time visiting all the animals and enjoying the beautiful beaches and penguin sightings. The contact with the animals and the respect for nature were absolutely fabulous. I highly recommend joining Explore Australia Tours with her as your guide. Brooke is friendly, shares her experiences, and explains everything about Melbourne in a way that's easy to understand and enjoy.
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Montse
19 Sep 2023