Wildlife & Adventure Touring Route

Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges to Phillip Island

Day two begins early with a dawn flight with Global Ballooning. Rise high above the rolling green hills and watch the valley spring to life as the sun comes up. Round out your morning with a sumptuous champagne breakfast.

After freshening up, make your way south, around Western Port Bay to Phillip Island. Visit The Nobbies Centre on the western tip of the island to explore the rugged coastline.

Cross the island to see the cuddliest of locals at the Koala Conservation Reserve and then head out on an eco-certified wildlife cruise in the afternoon to see the 30,000 Australian fur seals that inhabit Seal Rocks.

Sundown brings with it the crème de la crème of wildlife experiences – the famous Penguin Parade. Book early for the Ultimate Adventure Tour a small group adventure to a remote beach with a ranger guide where you can watch the tiny birds as they leave the ocean and waddle past you en route to their nests.

Reward the day's efforts with an overnight stay at Clifftop Accommodation and wake to stunning views of the Southern Ocean.

Phillip Island to Mornington Peninsula

Enjoy an early morning stroll on one of Phillip Island’s beautiful beaches and make yours the first footsteps in the sand. If you prefer a more challenging morning activity, take a walk out to Pyramid Rock or Cape Woolamai. Alternatively, hit the waves as part of a surfing lesson or see the island from the air with Phillip Island Helicopters. 

Make your way around Western Port Bay to the beautiful Mornington Peninsula in the afternoon. See koalas, kangaroos and emus up close and learn about native Australian animals at Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park. After that, test your climbing skills with a spot of tree surfing at Enchanted Adventure in Arthurs Seat.

Recharge after your daytime adventures with a soak in the Peninsula Hot Springs or Alba Hot Springs. Watch the sunset from the thermal mineral pools and then head off to Iluka Retreat for a unique and romantic glamping experience.

Mornington Peninsula to Bellarine Peninsula

Wake early and be at Sorrento by 8am for a memorable trip with Polperro Dolphin Swims or Moonraker Dolphin Swims out into Port Phillip Bay. Search out the wild pods of bottlenose dolphins and visit the friendly seals at Chinaman's Hat. 

Keep the aquatic and coastal theme going through the afternoon. Join a guided snorkelling tour with Bayplay Adventure Tours to view the elusive weedy sea dragons near the piers on the bay side of the peninsula. Or hire a stand-up paddle board and see why this peaceful activity is becoming so popular. 

There are plenty of options for those who'd rather stay on dry land. Hire a bike from Bayplay Adventure Tours and cruise around the national parks of the peninsula. Fly up and over the state forest while taking in sweeping views across the bay on the Arthurs Seat Eagle gondola ride, or stretch the legs on a walk along some of the Mornington Peninsula Walk (we say some because there is over 100kms of trails). 

Cruise across Port Phillip Bay with Searoad Ferries to the Bellarine Peninsula. The ferry to Queenscliff Harbour runs every hour until 6pm (7pm in summer) and takes 40-minutes. Stay overnight at BIG4 Beacon Resort at Queenscliff and be ready to explore the best of the region in the morning.

Bellarine Peninsula

There's more going on under the waters of Port Phillip Bay than you might expect. Satisfy your curiosity by signing up for a scuba diving tour in Geelong or Queenscliff and get to know the bay in a whole new way. Explore old shipwrecks and reefs teeming with marine life, including colourful corals, seahorses, crustaceans and stingrays. The bay floor is littered with over 60 nineteenth century shipwrecks, sunken submarines from World War I, as well as the wreck of the HMAS Canberra – Victoria's first artificial reef created for the sole purpose of diving. 

Back from the deep, it's time to sign up for a surf lesson in Ocean Grove. Land at this popular Victorian beach to learn from the experts at Go Ride A Wave and you'll be riding the surf before you know it. 

Close out your Bellarine adventure with a delicious lunch at Jack Rabbit Vineyard before heading back to the city James Bond-style in a Microflite helicopter. Catch a ride from the landing pad right in front of the restaurant and touch down in Melbourne's CBD.