Top Melbourne How to Get Around - page 3

Every night, thousands of little blue penguins come ashore on Phillip Island to rest up and spend time with their mate. The nightly penguin parade is a uniquely Australian spectacle, and a perfect opportunity to see some of the south coast's sea life. This tour makes getting to the penguin parade easy; instead of hiring a car and organizing accommodation on the island, same-day chauffeured transfers make it possible to see the best of Phillip Island in a single day.

Create your perfect snow day on a fun-filled winter adventure from Melbourne. Travel on a comfortable coach to the alpine wonderland of Lake Mountain, the closest snow resort to Melbourne. Enjoy three hours on the mountain—try tobogganing (own expense), explore cross-country ski trails, or simply build a snowman and enjoy the frosty scenery. After your snow adventure, visit spectacular Steavenson Falls and the Yarra Valley for a chocolate tasting.

Discover Melbourne’s history and highlights on this guided Yarra River cruise. Float past the city’s towering skyscrapers and lovely urban gardens while learning about the transformation of this vibrant city from 19th-century port town to a modern cultural capital. Your sightseeing cruise takes you upriver and downriver for a scenic overview of attractions on both banks.

Experience Phillip Island with locals, journeying from Melbourne for a full day of boutique wine, beachside charm, and native wildlife. You'll be able to indulge in wine tasting without worrying about driving, and discover hidden gems and secret beaches in Cowes that most visitors miss. You'll end at the world-famous Penguin Parade at Summerland Beach, where a general viewing ticket provides full immersion in this world-class wildlife experience.

Spend a full day exploring the landmarks of the Great Ocean Road. Watch the sunset at the famous Twelve Apostles rock formation, pass the Otway Ranges and spot koalas, explore landmarks in Port Campbell National Park and more. Known as one of Australia's most beautiful drives and one of Victoria's most popular destinations, the Great Ocean Road offers great photo ops of coastal scenery, picturesque seaside towns and pristine wilderness—a must-do excursion from Melbourne.

Many Melbourne highlights, such as Puffing Billy and the penguins of Phillip Island, are far from the city and tricky to visit on your own. But this seamless full-day tour makes it easy for you to go. Relax as the bus takes you out to the Dandenong Ranges and down to the coast while your guide arranges your steam train tickets and the timing to see the adorable penguin parade.

When your cruise ship docks in Melbourne's port, make the most of your time ashore by booking this comprehensive tour in advance. Highlights include the Mornington Peninsula wine region and a wildlife experience at an animal sanctuary. Booking each of these experiences separately would be challenging; this tour rolls them all into one with a guide providing insightful commentary along the way.

Discover the rugged mountains and wildflower valleys of the Grampians National Park on this full-day tour from Melbourne—no need to tackle local roads yourself. Once there, learn about Aboriginal culture, have lunch in Halls Gap (own expense), then climb to the Boroka Lookout for fantastic views of the Mt. William and Serra Ranges. Hike to see the dramatic Balconies, view the idyllic Mackenzie Falls, and spot wild kangaroos roaming through the valleys.

Venture beyond the tourist trail on this comprehensive 2-day tour of the Great Ocean Road from Melbourne—with all logistics taken care of. Follow the renowned coastal route past windswept beaches, beautiful bays, and dramatic natural landmarks. Visit surfing beaches, spot wild kangaroos, koalas, and parrots on a bushwalk, and enjoy glorious views over Apollo Bay. After an overnight stop, continue along the Shipwreck Coast and check out natural wonders such as the Twelve Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge.

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.

The Grampians sit a few hours west of Melbourne, with waterfalls, lookouts, and wildlife spread across the park—hard to link by self-driving. Ride out in a small group with the route handled, stopping at the gold-rush town of Ballarat before a bushwalk to Silverband Falls. Watch for kangaroos at Halls Gap, hike to the Grand Canyon rock formation, and take in MacKenzie Falls before the return.

Soar over the Yarra Valley during the golden light of sunrise during an unforgettable hot-air balloon flight. Float over the scenic landscape of gentle rolling hills and vineyards as day breaks across this beloved winemaking region. Upgrade to enjoy hotel pickup and/or a delicious buffet breakfast at Balgownie Estate after touching down back on solid ground.

Explore the culinary delights of the Yarra Valley on this group tour from Melbourne, highlighting the region’s wine, gin, and chocolate. Your driver navigates the course, so you can sit back in your air-conditioned vehicle as you ride from place to place. There are a few options to choose from, depending on your preference. Note that your alcohol is included in the price, but other food products are up to you.

Learn about Australia’s diverse wildlife on this full-day tour of Phillip Island from Melbourne, including round-trip transport. See native Aussie animals at the Phillip Island Koala Conservation Reserve. Then, take a tour of Phillip Island, visiting scenic lookouts and beaches. End the day watching the memorable sunset Penguin Parade at Summerland Beach. A must-do tour for animal enthusiasts and families, without the hassle of self-driving.

Travelers short on time can still experience one of Melbourne’s best day trips with this afternoon tour to Phillip Island. After a free morning, travel in the early afternoon to Phillip Island, with time for some sightseeing before watching the famous penguin parade at sunset. For people not sure what to do in the morning, you can choose to include a morning trip to ride the Puffing Billy steam train.

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.

Soak up spectacular aerial views of Melbourne with a visit to Melbourne Skydeck—the highest viewing platform in the Southern Hemisphere. Look out toward Port Phillip Bay and the rolling Dandenong Ranges in the distance. Thrill-seekers can upgrade to experience "The Edge"—a moving, glass-bottomed cube that hovers over the city streets 88 floors below, or opt for dinner and drinks packages for a special visit.

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.

Reaching the Puffing Billy railway in the Dandenong Ranges takes some sorting from central Melbourne, especially without a car. Ride out with transport arranged, then board the heritage steam train through the ranges, with the open-sided carriages that the line is known for. At the Lakeside Visitor Centre, walk around Emerald Lake Park and stop for food (own expense) before returning.

Exploring the Great Ocean Road in one day can be overwhelming, but this group tour takes you straight from the city center to attractions like Loch Ard Gorge, the Twelve Apostles, the Razorback rock formation, and the town of Apollo Bay, where lunch is at your own expense. This National Heritage-listed road promises incredible sea views from your comfortable coach seat.

There are so many amazing things to see in and around Melbourne that it can be tough to squeeze them all in, but this full-day group trip to Phillip Island is a great place to start. This way, you get to visit Brighton Beach, Nobbies Centre, the Penguin Parade, and a wildlife park, but don’t have to put up with any of the stress of organizing tickets, transport, and itineraries.

Moonlit Sanctuary is one of the best spots to discover Australia’s unique wildlife around Melbourne—but it’s impossible to reach on public transportation. Avoid the expense and stress of car hire when you book this small-group half-day tour, with pickup (but not drop-off) at selected city hotels. Hand-feed kangaroos and see koalas, dingoes, wombats, and more, with a photo stop at Brighton Beach and its colorful bathing boxes.

A hot air balloon ride offers visitors to Melbourne a new perspective over one of the most beautiful cities in the country. This balloon flight experience is made extra special by departing at dawn, giving travelers stunning views of Melbourne’s cityscape as the sun rises, the perfect addition to an Australian holiday for those seeking something memorable.

Sample some of the region’s finest products without having to worry about logistics or driving on this full-day tasting tour of the Yarra Valley. Visit several local producers, including wineries and a gin distillery, to try wines, gin, chocolates, cheeses, and fresh fruits. Enjoy a lunch break with time to explore the cellar door, wine shop, and indigenous art gallery.