Top Melbourne Nature and Wildlife

Come face-to-face with Australia’s wild and wonderful creatures at the Healesville Sanctuary, a refuge specializing in native Aussie wildlife. With your general entry ticket valid all day, you can spend as much time as you want exploring the zoo and marveling over koalas, dingoes, wombats, wallabies and kangaroos. That’s not all: learn how Healesville was the first place in the world to breed a duck-billed platypus in captivity; watch a spectacular display of birds of prey and parrots; and peek behind-the-scenes at the animal hospital.

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.

See the magnificent wildlife of the Werribee Open Range Zoo during a 75-minute off-road safari by 4-wheel drive vehicle. Your guide heads off road where you become immersed in the savanna and its amazing animals including giraffes, rhinos, and zebras. Includes admission to the zoo and the option to explore the zoo further at your leisure.

Spot Aussie icons like kangaroos, koalas and emu, as well as exotic beasts like lions, gorillas and meerkats on a thrilling family day trip to the Werribee Open Range Zoo. Hop on an open-window bus for a 40-minute safari tour and get up close to giraffes, rhinos, zebras, camels and more. Then, explore the rest of the park on foot, and walk the boardwalk above the hippo pool, enjoy zookeeper talks and presentations, or make the most of the kid’s play areas.

Discover some of Australia’s most photographed landscapes on this full-day tour of the famous Great Ocean Road from Melbourne. Stop for morning tea in Anglesea, spot wild koalas along the way, and tuck into lunch overlooking the dramatic Apollo Bay. After lunch, enjoy a hike through Great Otway National Park, learn how the notorious Shipwreck Coast earned its name, and marvel over natural landmarks like the 12 Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge, and the Gibson Steps.

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. Visit the Moonlit Sanctuary Conservation Park for an up-close encounter with koalas and other 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.

Marvel over the dramatic canyons, cascading waterfalls and wildflower valleys of the Grampians National Park on this action-packed full-day tour. Visit the gold rush town of Ballarat; take a bushwalk to see the Silverband Falls and spot wild kangaroos at Halls Gap. After lunch (included), embark on a short hike to the Grand Canyon, stand in awe beneath the MacKenzie Falls and admire jaw-dropping views over Stringybark Forest, Victoria Valley, and Lake Bellfield. This small-group tour includes selected hotel pick-up and round-trip transport from Melbourne.

Take in the scenery of the Great Ocean Road without the hassle of driving and navigation on this small-group tour from Melbourne. With just 11 travelers in the group, you are treated to extra attention from the guide and an intimate group atmosphere. Your small tour bus can stop at some of the off-the-beaten-path spots that mega tour buses can't access, giving you more views and experiences. Stops include the Gibson Steps, the Twelve Apostles, Teddys Lookout, a guided rain forest walk, and others, all accompanied by insightful guided commentary.

Soak up a spectacular aerial view of Melbourne with a visit to Melbourne Skydeck— the highest viewing platform in the Southern Hemisphere. Admire the watery expanse of Port Phillip Bay and the rolling Dandenong Ranges in the distance. Even the other skyscrapers of Melbourne’s business district will seem miniature from this incredible vantage point. Thrill-seekers can upgrade to experience ‘The Edge’— a moving, glass-bottomed cube that lets you hover over the city streets 88 floors below.

Spend a day immersed in the amazing animal kingdom at the Melbourne Zoo. Encounter native land species like koalas, wombats and kangaroos at the Australian Bush exhibit, and watch Victoria’s indigenous penguins and seals splash around at the Wild Sea. Admire creatures from around the globe, such as mighty Asian pachyderms at the Trail of Elephants and elegant African zebras and giraffes in open-air habitats. Don’t miss the energetic primates at Lemur Island and an elevated orangutan exhibit!

Take in breathtaking sights of long sandy beaches and dramatic cliffs on this guided, full-day tour of Australia’s Great Ocean Road. See some of the most spectacular coastal scenery on Earth, including the Twelve Apostles limestone stacks and Gibson's Steps, site of historic cliff lines. Bushwalk in Great Otway National Park and try out your koala-spotting skills. Travel in a deluxe mini-coach with a small group for a relaxing, personalized experience.

Travel on a small-group tour 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 meet Australian natives such as koalas and wallabies. Head to Churchill Island to visit a historic farm and then go to see the dramatic Cape Woolamai surf beach and the Nobbies boardwalk where you can enjoy the views of the rugged South Coast.

Experience the Great Ocean Road’s top attractions on this guided excursion that follows the iconic road in reverse. Embark on your journey and beat the crowds while learning about the region’s scenic landscapes and pretty coastal towns from an informative guide. Visit sites including the 12 Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge, Port Campbell, London Bridge, and Great Otway National Park Rainforest.

Discover Australia’s postcard paradise as you travel along one of the world’s most iconic coastal roads. Dodge the crowds by driving the famous Great Ocean Road in reverse, starting with morning tea in Colac, then stopping to view landmarks like the Gibson Steps, Loch Ard Gorge, and the 12 Apostles. After tucking into a delicious picnic lunch, take a hike through the Otway rain forest, spot koalas along the Kennet River, and enjoy dramatic views over Apollo Bay. This full-day tour from Melbourne includes lunch and hotel pick-up.

Discover the rugged mountains and wildflower valleys of the Grampians National Park on this full-day tour from Melbourne. Once there, learn about Aboriginal culture, have lunch in Halls Gap, then climb to the Boroka Lookout for fantastic views of the Mt. William and Serra Ranges. That’s not all: hike to see the dramatic Balconies; view the idyllic Mackenzie Falls, and spot wild kangaroos roaming through the valleys.

Experience Australian wildlife and rainforest up-close and personal with a full day trip to Moonlit Sanctuary and the Puffing Billy Steam Train from Melbourne. Explore Moonlit Sanctuary's bushland setting with an experienced guide, and meet animals that range from koalas to kangaroos, dingos to monitor lizards. Learn about local conservation efforts. Soak up the wild atmosphere of a mountain rainforest while riding a century-old steam train along scenic tracks before returning to Melbourne.

Spend an evening on the Yarra River during this Melbourne dinner cruise. As you admire the twinkling city lights reflecting on the water, enjoy a 4-course gourmet meal inclusive of beverages. This fine dining experience includes beer, wine, and spirits, as well as coffee, tea, dessert, port, and a cheese plate. Cruise past attractions like Federation Square and the Royal Botanic Gardens while soaking up the elegant and relaxing atmosphere of the boat.

Learn about Australia’s diverse wildlife on this full-day tour of Phillip Island from Melbourne, including round-trip transport and lunch. See native Aussie animals at the Maru Koala and Wildlife Park. Then, take a tour of Phillip Island, visiting the Nobbies and Cape Woolamai. End the day watching the memorable sunset Penguin Parade at Summerland Beach.

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.

Enjoy an authentic taste of the Yarra Valley on this full-day ecotour from Melbourne. Visit local farmers, family-run wineries, and artisan producers as you travel through the patchwork of vineyards and farmlands. Stop along the way to indulge in wine tasting at De Bortoli winery; sample scrumptious handmade chocolates at the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie; and enjoy a delicious lunch at Rochford Winery. That’s not all: other stops include Yarra Valley Dairy and Yering Station.

Discover Australia’s Great Ocean Road on this day trip from Melbourne. Admire the natural beauty of Victoria’s coastline, from surfing beaches to the Twelve Apostles rock formations. You’ll make stops at seaside villages, watch for wildlife like parrots and koalas, and travel through the Otway Ranges as you make your way to Cape Otway to climb the country’s oldest mainland lighthouse.

Come face-to-face with Australia’s wild and wonderful creatures at the Healesville Sanctuary, a refuge specializing in native Aussie wildlife. With your general entry ticket valid all day, you can spend as much time as you want exploring the zoo and marveling over koalas, dingoes, wombats, wallabies and kangaroos. That’s not all: learn how Healesville was the first place in the world to breed a duck-billed platypus in captivity; watch a spectacular display of birds of prey and parrots; and peek behind-the-scenes at the animal hospital.

Head out of Melbourne for a full-day small-group tour of the Great Ocean Road. See some of Southern Australia’s most beautiful beaches as you travel to Kennett River, where you can spot wild koalas. Stop in Apollo Bay for lunch, then take a dip in the Southern Ocean. Stroll in the rainforest at Great Otway National Park and travel to Port Campbell National Park and the Twelve Apostles where you cruise down the Shipwreck Coast to Loch Ard Gorge and London Bridge.

Get out of the city for a day and enjoy relaxing time in nature on this economical group tour to the Mornington Peninsula. After leaving Melbourne, your first stop will be the natural Peninsula Hot Springs, where you can soak away your stresses or add an optional spa treatment. Continue to Murrays Lookout to enjoy panoramic views of the mountainous landscape. End the day at the cute and totally Instagram-worthy bathing boxes on the beach to enjoy panoramic views of the mountainous landscape. End the day at the cute and totally Instagram-worthy bathing boxes on the beach.

Get to know the best of Melbourne on this comprehensive 8-day tour. This tour has everything you need to start your new life in Australia, including airport transfers and hostel accommodation. Enjoy several excursions including a tasting tour, a 2-day road trip to the Mornington Peninsula and Phillip Island, and a city tour. You also receive help with admin such as opening a bank account and getting a tax file number.