Top Victoria Nature and Wildlife Tours

Travelers short on time in the Melbourne area don't need to miss out on one of Australia's greatest coastal road trips. This Great Ocean Road day tour includes many of the route's highlights, including the Twelve Apostles, Apollo Bay, and London Bridge. And, because this itinerary is the reverse of what many travelers take, you'll be skipping the worst of the crowds.

Travel from Melbourne to Phillip Island to see the penguin parade and other wildlife highlights of Victoria. Your full-day tour stops at Moonlit Sanctuary wildlife conservation park to see Australian natives such as koalas and wallabies. Explore the dramatic Cape Woolamai surf beach and the Nobbies boardwalk where you can enjoy views of the rugged south coast and often seals as well.

Discover the natural delights of Phillip Island with an eco-tour from Melbourne. See the iconic Brighton Beach bathing boxes, visit the beach and take some time to admire these historic landmarks. Head to the Moonlit Sanctuary Conservation Park for an up-close encounter with kangaroos, wallabies, koalas, and other native Australian wildlife. Finish the day at a local beach where you can watch hundreds of some of the world's tiniest penguins waddle out of the ocean and across the sand to their burrows.

See the best of Phillip Island on this group tour from Melbourne, where all the details are taken care of so you just need to relax and take in the sites. Keep your eyes peeled for kangaroos, koalas, and the adorable tiny penguins who populate the island. Make sure your cameras are charged for photos at beautiful viewpoints, like at Cowes, and more.

Learn all about the environment along the Great Ocean Road with this guided walk with a conservationist. Following a 0.8 mile (1.4 kilometer) all-abilities path through grassland, forests, bushland, and tree fern gullies, you’ll learn all about the unique ecology of the Great Otway National Park area. This short activity can easily fit into busy schedules, and is suitable for the whole family.

Experience the rugged beauty of the Grampians National Park in a relaxed small group, with an expert local guide bringing the region to life through stories, local knowledge and insights along the way. Travel from Melbourne in comfort and discover waterfalls, dramatic rock formations, sweeping mountain lookouts and native wildlife, from Silverband Falls and the Grand Canyon to The Balconies, Reeds Lookout and Boroka Lookout.

Take a break from the city and discover the diverse wildlife of Australia on this full-day excursion to Phillip Island. Alongside a private guide, depart Melbourne and head south to begin your wildlife tour. Stop at the Maru Animal Park to see koalas and kangaroos, see wallabies at the Nobbies, and watch hundreds of penguins parade back to their burrows at sunset.

Getting out of Melbourne and down to Philip Island takes a couple of hours at the wheel, and doesn’t leave much opportunity to take in the sights en route. Leave the driving to a guide and check off two wildlife encounters in just one day as you travel there by coach. Watch the “penguin parade”—fairy penguins making their way to their burrows—from an exclusive viewing platform, and visit the Phillip Island Koala Reserve to see the Australian marsupial up close.

Discover Australia's Great Ocean Road—where coastal views and lush rainforests meet—on this full-day adventure from Melbourne. Heading out from the urban landscape of the city, keep your eyes peeled for koalas, walk through rainforests, and visit local landmarks like the Memorial Arch. A local guide is on-hand to fill you in on the area's history—something many travelers miss out on. Once you've refueled with lunch (own expense) in the beautiful town of Apollo Bay, marvel at the Twelve Apostles (a set of giant limestone stacks), and explore other panoramic views, including the dramatic Loch Ard Gorge.

Australia is home to a number of unique wildlife species and this tour to Phillip and French islands, just outside of Melbourne, lets you get up close and personal. Join a small group and board the ferry to French Island where you take a guided tour and see koalas in their natural habitat. Then head to Phillip Island to observe a seal colony and the famous penguin parade at sunset.

Get up close to Australia’s native wildlife on this memorable full-day tour of Phillip Island from Melbourne, including a handy hotel pick-up. See adorable koalas and wallabies at the Moonlit Sanctuary Conservation Park on the Mornington Peninsula, spot Australia’s largest colony of fur seals at the Nobbies, and watch the sunset penguin parade along Phillip Island's coast. This small-group tour limits numbers to ensure a personalized experience.

Explore the history and beauty of Grampians National Park on this full-day trip from Melbourne. Climb to the top of Boroka Lookout and other natural vista points for sweeping valley views, and bushwalk through the parklands to explore diverse habitats and spot local wildlife such as kangaroos. Learn about the area’s original inhabitants with a visit to Brambuk Aboriginal Cultural Centre, and admire the cascading rush of waterfalls.

Travel the Great Ocean Road while avoiding the crowds, when you book this small-group reverse itinerary tour. Drive straight from Melbourne to the famous Twelve Apostles, then slowly make your way back to the city. Stop at sites such as Teddy’s Lookout, Gibsons Steps, Apollo Bay, and more while also keeping an eye out for wildlife like kangaroos and koalas. Enjoy incredible views over the sea while you learn all about the road and its storied past.

Cruise the iconic Murray River aboard a heritage paddle steamer and explore the vibrant wildlife at Kyabram Fauna Park. This full-day adventure from Melbourne invites you to meet kangaroos, koalas, and the unique cassowary in their natural habitat. Discover the charming river port of Echuca and capture the stunning silo art murals that celebrate local culture. Conclude your day at the breathtaking Pink Cliffs Reserve, where mineral-rich formations offer a fantastic backdrop for memorable photos. This tour is ideal for nature lovers and photography enthusiasts looking to uncover the beauty of regional Victoria. - Includes entry to Kyabram Fauna Park - Visit the historic port of Echuca - 1-hour river cruise on paddle steamer - Vibrant Silo Art Trail - Visit the Pink Cliffs - Friendly and informative guide provided throughout the journey

Why choose just one Yarra Valley experience when you can enjoy multiple with one simple booking? With this small-group tour, your guide shows you around some of the best spots this natural landscape has to offer, from mountain villages to redwood forests. Make the experience your own by choosing between a winery visit or a trip to the Healesville Sanctuary for wildlife.

Spend a day immersed in the animal kingdom at the Melbourne Zoo. Encounter native species including koalas, wombats, and kangaroos, and local Victorian species such as indigenous penguins and seals splash. Also admire mighty Asian pachyderms at the Trail of Elephants, elegant African zebras and giraffes in open-air habitats, the energetic primates at Lemur Island, an elevated orangutan exhibit, and more.

Experience Phillip Island in small-group comfort with no more than 11 guests—not 24 or 27 people on a coach. Travel in a modern Mercedes-Benz Vito or Sprinter with comfortable seating and climate control. Our exceptional guides combine wildlife knowledge, warm service and Penguin Parade advice to keep the day relaxed and organised. Provide any Melbourne CBD hotel, apartment or nominated address. We will collect you there and return you to the same place after the Penguin Parade. Guests outside the CBD receive a convenient meeting point. Visit Moonlit Sanctuary, with admission included, to see koalas, kangaroos and other Australian wildlife. Continue to The Nobbies for dramatic coastal views while looking for wild wallabies and native birdlife, then watch little penguins return ashore after sunset. Choose General Viewing or Penguins Plus when booking. Penguins Plus requires confirmation and is subject to availability. Other viewing tickets may be requested for an additional charge.

Discover Australia’s wildlife and wines on a full-day tour to Healesville Sanctuary and the Yarra Valley. Depart Melbourne and head to Healesville Sanctuary where you get close views of native animals such as kangaroos, koalas, and emus. Continue your scenic drive to the Yarra Valley and arrive at a vineyard for lunch accompanied by a glass of wine. Afterward, tour the winery before moving on to De Bortoli Winery for a wine and cheese tasting.

There are so many sights to see in and around Melbourne, like the Australian National Heritage-listed Great Ocean Road that goes along the south-eastern coast—it’s easy to miss things if you try exploring it without a guide. On this group tour, your guide spends days showing you all the essential stops, from Apollo Bay to the Phillip Island Nature Parks Penguin Parade, and more.

Streamline your wildlife viewing and check off two of Phillip Island’s native species in just one day on this comprehensive, full-day tour from Melbourne. Instead of juggling separate bookings and reservations, head out by coach to view fairy penguins at Phillip Island Nature Park—home to the largest colony in the world—and see one of Australia’s most beloved marsupials, koalas, at Phillip Island Koala Conservation Reserve.

(IMPORTANT NOTE: Penguin Parade Watch is NOT included on these dates: Aug 18/19/24/25/26, 2026 due to the late Puffing Billy train departure) Two Icons in One Day – Puffing Billy steam train + Penguin Parade. Flexible Itinerary – Adjusted to train & penguin schedules. Close-Up Wildlife – Kangaroos, koalas & more at a local sanctuary. Scenic Variety – Beaches, rainforest, coastlines, and Phillip Island. Stress-Free Package – All highlights in one full-day trip.

Get up close to the wildlife of Phillip Island and discover Australia’s largest colony of Australian fur seals on this catamaran cruise. Watch seals lounging on the rocks and swimming in the bays; spot seabirds swooping overhead and look out for dolphins, whales, and penguins as you float around the island. Finally, tuck into afternoon tea on board as you listen to the live commentary and learn more about the island’s varied wildlife.

Save yourself time and energy when visiting the enormous Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne by touring on The Explorer bus. If you’re on a quick visit en route to Phillip Island then this bus is an ideal way to navigate the 37 acre (15 hectare) Australian Garden. It departs from the Visitor Centre and includes informative live commentary by the driver.