Phillip Island Penguin Parade Private Tour , and Maru Wild Life Park-12 hours
Duration:
Operated By:
- Phillip Island Penguin Parade Nature Parks Full Private Day Tour
Our full day visit to Philip Island includes a visit to a wildlife park allowing you the chance to interact up close and personal with iconic
Australian Native wild animals. You’ll even hand feed kangaroos and wallabies at Maru Koala and animal Park or choose the historic Churchill Island where you will see and
experience traditional farming activities including milking of cows, shearing
sheep and the famous whip-cracking show. If weather (and time) permit we
will also enjoy a stunning beach walk along one of Phillip Island’s most famous
surf beaches.
Finally you will enjoy picturesque scenery as we make our way to Phillip
Island Nature Park, The Nobbies and Seal Rock, delighting in the stunning
panoramic views and rugged coastline. Take a stroll along the boardwalk,
keeping an eye out for birds of prey, Cape Barren geese, nestling seagulls and
wallabies. Your day ends at the world-famous Penguin Parade as you enjoy
an enchanted evening, watching little penguins emerge from the ocean and waddle
across the beach to their burrows.
Your Journey;
Departing Melbourne at 12.30pm we drive along the Western Port Highway
Maru Koala and Wildlife Park or Churchill Island
Woolamia Coastal surf beach walk -Optional
Explore the highlights of Phillip Island as time permits
Nobbies and Blow hole board walk
See the Little Blue Penguins Cross the beach at the Nature Parade
Explore the information Centre to understand a Penguins lifestyle
Depart the Penguin Parade, 1 hour after the Penguins have arrived on shore, Departure time is seasonal
AN AMAZING WILDLIFE ECO TOUR
Tour Inclusions:
General Admission Penguin viewing tickets, entrance to maru Koala and animal Park or Churchill Island conservation reserves, return transport, free hotel pick up and drop off included .
Tour Exclusions:
All Meals
Book now to enjoy a wildlife journey with the Melbourne Touring Company
*if booking for more than 11 participants please contact our office
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John Stapleton was a fantastic guide. He tailored the entire day to our specific interests and provided a wealth of knowledge about the area’s history and culture. His expertise turned a standard drive into a deeply engaging experience.
The Highlights:
Quealy Winemakers: A fantastic tasting experience made even more special by the opportunity to meet the lovely proprietor, Kathleen Quealy.
Pt. Leo Estate: The sculpture park is breathtaking and a must-visit for art lovers.
Sorrento: We loved the charm of this town for a delicious lunch and some local shopping.
The day far exceeded our expectations. If you are looking for a professional, insightful, and personalized tour experience in the Melbourne area, we highly recommend John and his team. We are already looking forward to booking with them again on our next trip to Australia!
We chose this personal tour because we wanted to chose our itinerary, go at our own pace, and to be in a car by ourselves with someone else driving and not have to jockey for a seat in a tour bus. We got everything we wanted plus more!
Wes was a fabulous guide. He initiated contact several days prior to our tour, then again the day before, informing us on what to expect, what he would bring, & what we needed to bring.
Wes was very personable and incredibly informative throughout our two days together. He asked about our priorities and by the time we left him, we had ticked everything off our list!
We saw so many animals in the wild- koalas, kangaroos, wallabies, an assortment of incredible birds, and even camels (did you know Australia has a huge population of feral camel that roam wild?), and all close up. He commented often that what we were doing was not something he could do on his bigger tours just because of the distance and timing which made us even happier about our decision to spend the extra money for a private tour.
We stopped when we wanted, ate when we wanted, and saw everything we wanted. Thank you Wes for making our time in Australia an AMAZING trip!!
The first day Wes took us to Wilson’s Prom. It’s a drive from Melbourne but Wes knew where to grab some coffee and pick up a picnic lunch about halfway there. Our day was centered around making the boat ride so everything was timed perfectly to make the 2 PM tour. The boat ride is a must in Wilson’s Prom. Before that we were able to hike on squeaky beach and walk around tidal river. Then we went to a beach where we had our picnic lunch and went for a swim. We made the 2 PM boat ride comfortably. Once we landed back at around 4 PM we started to make our way back to Melbourne. But Wes made a few suggestions along the way for view points and a nice walk to spot kangaroos and Emus. Sadly we didn’t see any Emus.
The second day we went to Mornington Peninsula. That was also a fabulous day with audibles being made to get some fresh strawberries. All in a day we went to Brighton Beach boxes, rented bikes in Point Nepean National Park, shopped in Sorrento, saw London Bridge, walked around Cape Shank, went to Pt. Leo winery and sculpture park, and culminated with a swim at a beach.
This was a fabulous tour company, with a fabulous guide, who showed lots of flexibility in organizing the day and then taking advantage of more opportunities as the clock allowed. And I can’t forget that Wes is an excellent conversationalist with lots of stories and insights. Can’t recommend high enough.
Excellent experience!
Thank you Wes and John
Thank you Wes and John
Loved being with him. We successfully completed all the travel points.
Wes was so profesional, full with tips and storys, knew exactly where to spot kangoroos akd koalas.
Kevin took us on the Penguin tour and was an absolute champion. He handled everything with patience, professionalism, and a great sense of humour, making the experience enjoyable and stress-free.
Wes took us along the Great Ocean Road and was just as fantastic. Knowledgeable, calm, and incredibly accommodating, he made sure we were comfortable and never rushed, while still giving us an unforgettable experience and sharing so much insight along the way.
Both Kevin and Wes went above and beyond to make our trip smooth, enjoyable, and memorable. Highly recommend Melbourne Touring Company for families—especially those travelling with young children.
We were lucky to have great weather, and besides the breathtaking views, we even got to see koalas and kangaroos. The tour included all the classic stops as well as some less crowded spots, which made it even more special. This was a family trip for seven of us, and we wanted something more private and personalised — it was perfect!
We were picked up and dropped off at our accommodation, and we had complete freedom to bring our own food and snacks for the road. There was also the option to stop for a meal somewhere if we wanted, although I’d recommend making the most of the time to explore the different landscapes.
A big thank you to Wes and the whole team for such an unforgettable Great Ocean Road adventure! Definitely recommended for larger groups of friends or family, and excellent value for money compared to bigger, more crowded tours.
We were lucky to have great weather, and besides the breathtaking views, we even got to see koalas and kangaroos. The tour included all the classic stops as well as some less crowded spots, which made it even more special. This was a family trip for seven of us, and we wanted something more private and personalised — it was perfect!
We were picked up and dropped off at our accommodation, and we had complete freedom to bring our own food and snacks for the road. There was also the option to stop for a meal somewhere if we wanted, although I’d recommend making the most of the time to explore the different landscapes.
A big thank you to Wes and the whole team for such an unforgettable Great Ocean Road adventure! Definitely recommended for larger groups of friends or family, and excellent value for money compared to bigger, more crowded tours.
John was punctual, responsive and accommodating to our last minute changes. The great thing about private tours is that you get picked up from your address and don’t have to worry about driving on long, winding and narrow roads. John is a great guy and he taught my kids how to fish.
Our driver and guide was simply fantastic. Not only was he incredibly knowledgeable about the history, sights, and local secrets along the way, but he was also kind, patient, and always eager to answer our questions. His passion for the region really enhanced our experience, making each stop feel special.
The breathtaking scenery, combined with such professional and friendly service, made this tour unforgettable. I highly recommend Melbourne Touring Company to anyone looking to explore the Great Ocean Road—whether you’re booking months in advance or last minute, they will ensure you have a remarkable experience!
They played a significant role in my birthday weekend and topped it off, everyone invited enjoyed it and we can’t stop talking about the amazing experience we had.
I recommend booking with John and Mark I assure you won’t be disappointed.
The 12-hour journey was meticulously planned, ensuring we soaked in every major highlight and some hidden gems along the scenic route. John's storytelling and fun facts kept us engaged, providing a deeper appreciation for the landmarks and local culture.
The Melbourne Touring Company did an outstanding job orchestrating this trip, striking the perfect balance between sightseeing, relaxation, and education. I'm eager to embark on another tour with them and uncover more treasures in and around Melbourne. Highly recommended for anyone seeking an enriching and enjoyable day out!

























































