Depart mid-morning and settle in for a relaxed coastal drive to Phillip Island. Explore heritage gardens and bay-view trails at Churchill Island, and watch Western Port Bay sparkle along the shoreline.

Next, stroll treetop boardwalks at the Koala Conservation Reserve to spot dozing koalas at eye level. Listen for birdsong in the gums as you wander through this natural habitat.

Enjoy a relaxed seaside lunch in Cowes, the island’s main township. Afterward, take a leisurely stroll along the foreshore at your own pace.

Follow boardwalks to cliff-edge lookouts at The Nobbies. Feel the Bass Strait swell and watch blowholes with views toward Seal Rocks.

As the sun sets, settle into your vantage point for the Penguin Parade. Watch as little penguins waddle ashore at dusk, savoring the hush and tiny footsteps.

Finally, travel back in comfort and arrive in Melbourne between 9:30 PM–11:30 PM, with the penguin parade memories still fresh in mind.