Family Touring Route

Bellarine Peninsula to Mornington Peninsula

Start the day by catching a ride with Searoad Ferries from Queenscliff to Sorrento, and keep an eye out for dolphins and seals during the 40-minute crossing.

Climb aboard the Arthurs Seat Eagle and fly over the state forest to the highest point on the peninsula, taking in sweeping views across the bay while you go. Once at the top, skip across to Enchanted Adventure for a fun-filled morning with the kids. Fly high on the network of aerial obstacles and zip lines, get lost in hedge mazes, and race downhill on the tube slides.

Leave time for a slow lunch at Green Olive at Red Hill. Afterwards, take a walk around the kitchen garden, explore the olive grove and vineyard (say hi to the maremma sheep dog guarding the chickens), and jump to your heart's content on the trampoline. And if you're visiting during the summer months, try your hand at picking your own fruit at Rocky Creek Strawberry Farm or at one of the many cherry orchards.

Round out the afternoon with some time at the beautiful bay beaches of the Mornington Peninsula, from Mount Martha and Rye to Sorrento and Portsea. The beaches are calm, clean, and home to the iconic, colourful beach boxes.

Stay overnight at Rye Hotel, book a bed at Flinders Hotel, or go glamping at Iluka Retreat in Red hill South.

Make the most of this opportunity to see nocturnal wildlife in their element at the nearby Moonlit Sanctuary. Sign up for an evening lantern walk through the grounds and witness native wildlife when they are at their most playful.

Mornington Peninsula to Phillip Island

If you didn't take the evening tour of Moonlit Sanctuary the night before, it's well worth dropping in to this award-winning attraction while you're on the peninsula. 

After a strong coffee, it's time to journey around Western Port Bay to Phillip Island, a popular family holiday destination and home to some of Victoria's iconic wildlife experiences.

Begin with a visit to Churchill Island Heritage Farm and get an insight into what life was like for the early settlers. Next stop is the nearby Phillip Island Chocolate Factory, where you can take a tour to learn how their chocolate is created and do some creating yourself.

Not far from the Chocolate Factory, you can spark your imagination at A Maze'N Things, a family fun park full of mental tests and games for all ages. Across the road you'll find Phillip Island's famous Koala Reserve, with boardwalks into the treetops to ensure great sightings of these cuddly locals.

Enjoy an afternoon at sea with Wildlife Coast Cruises or the Wild Ocean Ecoboat and cruise out to Seal Rocks to see the 30,000-strong colony of Australian fur seals.

If there's one thing you do at Phillip Island, make it the sunset Penguin Parade at Summerlans Beach. Sign up for the Penguins Plus upgrade to enjoy the ranger commentary and the chance to see the penguins from the underground viewing area, at eye height.

Rest and rejuvenate with a quiet night at Comfort Resort Kaloha Phillip Island or Phillip Island Apartments in Cowes.

Phillip Island to Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges

Make your way across to the Nobbies Centre to experience the Antarctic Journey exhibit, where you'll come face to face with orcas and seals (or at least 3D virtual reality versions of them).

Then it's goodbye to Phillip Island and on towards the green hills and fern gullies of the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges. But be sure to make time for a visit to Maru Koala & Wildlife Park on the way, where you can enjoy a close encounter with a koala and feed the local kangaroos.

Hit the highway and then arrive in the scenic Dandenong Ranges. Take a ride on the Puffing Billy heritage railway or visit one of the beautiful national parks.

Get your fill of fresh cherries by picking your own at Cherryhill Orchards, or head to Rayners Orchard, where you can pick peaches, nectarines, feijoas and guavas straight off the trees. And if you're travelling in September or October, check out the colourful fields of tulips at the ever-popular Tesselaar Tulip Festival.

Follow up the fresh fruit bonanza with a dose of sumptuous desserts. Head north to the green fields of the Yarra Valley, stopping at the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery in Yarra Glen. Taste test a dizzying array of delectable treats, sample the choccamochachino at the cafe, and let the children run and play in the expansive lawns and gardens.

Come nightfall, relish a night in the luxury surrounds of Balgownie Estate, the Yarra Valley's wine country, or grab a villa at Big 4 Yarra Valley Park Lane Holiday Park.

Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges

Kick off your day at Buxton Trout Farm, where you can fish for fresh trout or salmon, and have it cooked on a BBQ for lunch. Alternatively, take home a selection of dips and smoked fish to enjoy later.

If you're travelling in winter, head just 40 minutes out of the valley to Lake Mountain and take the opportunity to indulge in snow play at this family-friendly ski resort.

Leave plenty of time for your visit to Healesville Sanctuary, home to iconic wildlife such as kangaroos, koalas and emus. Take in some of the educational and inspiring shows on offer, such as Spirits of the Sky (dedicated to Australia's birdlife) and Tales from Platypus Creek. Get up close to local wildlife with a Magic Moment encounter and see the amazing work done by the staff and volunteers at the Wildlife Hospital.

The local wineries have plenty for the kids too. Stop into Meletos for lunch to sample the valley's best pizza or try Oakridge Wines, which offers everything from giant chess, pick-up sticks, dominoes and massive building blocks to outdoor bocce. All tuckered out? Head back into Melbourne. It's only 45 minutes away.