Melbourne · MELBOURNE WILDLIFE TOURS

The 15 Best Wildlife Tours from Melbourne

113 tours  ·  from $24 a head

Koalas in the manna gums, kangaroos on a golf course, penguins at dusk. These 15 tours cover where to find each of them within a day of the city, with prices and how much of the day is spent on the road.

From Melbourne: Great Ocean Road, 12 Apostles, Wildlife Tour - Koalas, parrots and the chance of kangaroos
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From Melbourne: Great Ocean Road, 12 Apostles, Wildlife Tour

1.Great Ocean Road, 12 Apostles, Wildlife Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 6,020 reviews · 13h 30m · from $94Our pick

Set out from a selected Melbourne CBD hotel with an English-speaking guide such as Warren, Theo or Lorraine. This 13.5-hour coastal trip pairs Torquay and Bells Beach views with wild koalas, a guided forest walk, Apollo Bay, the Twelve Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge. Air-conditioned transport and morning tea are included.

“Warren was an amazing tour guide. He stopped at extra stops eg to see kangaroos and more koalas. He was very knowledgable and funny. We loved how much we were able to fit in to the day and not feel rushed. Definitely recommend.”

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Penguin Parade, & Wildlife Encounters Eco Tour from Melbourne - Moonlit Sanctuary brings Australian wildlife into focus
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Penguin Parade, & Wildlife Encounters Eco Tour from Melbourne

2.Penguin Parade, & Wildlife Encounters Eco Tour from Melbourne

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3,774 reviews · from $118Top rated

Travel from Melbourne by air-conditioned minivan to Brighton Beach, Moonlit Sanctuary and Phillip Island. The day ends with the Penguin Parade, when little penguins return ashore after dark. Your guide leads the stops, with guides such as Cloe, Jono and Aleks praised for lively commentary. Bring warm layers, and leave your camera packed away at the parade.

“Great tour, plenty of stops for coffee and food. Graeme was a wealth of knowledge and made sure we were at each place early enough to not miss views.”

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Melbourne Great Ocean Rd Reverse Tour London Bridge Wildlife - Wildlife and forest stops between the coast
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Melbourne Great Ocean Rd Reverse Tour London Bridge Wildlife

3.Melbourne Great Ocean Rd Reverse Tour London Bridge Wildlife

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 2,252 reviews · 12 - 13 hours · from $46

Travel from Melbourne along the Great Ocean Road on a reverse-route day trip, stopping at London Bridge, Loch Ard Gorge and the Twelve Apostles. Look for koalas, kangaroos and parrots, with a guide such as Philip, William or David Hsu leading the way. Choose a classic coach, a mid-size group of up to 35, or a premium Mercedes-Benz van for up to 15.

“William was a fantastic and informative guide, he was entertaining and gave us plenty of stops along the way. The tour was amazing and would absolutely do it again,.... if the bus was a bit more comfortable where you could stretch your legs out a bit (lol)”

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From Melbourne: Penguin Parade, Koalas & Kangaroos - Brighton Beach’s bright boxes and city views
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From Melbourne: Penguin Parade, Koalas & Kangaroos

4.Penguin Parade, Koalas & Kangaroos

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,932 reviews · 12 hours · from $112

From Melbourne, travel by air-conditioned vehicle to Brighton Beach, Moonlit Sanctuary, the Nobbies Boardwalk and Phillip Island’s Penguin Parade. An English-speaking guide leads the day, with guides such as Dirk, Matt and Charlie noted for sharing local facts and keeping the journey lively. Wildlife sightings vary, and the penguins arrive on nature’s schedule.

“We had a fantastic time from the moment Dirk our guide picked us up until he dropped us back he couldn’t have been a better guide with knowledge of everything on the way and of the sites with visited which were beautiful cheers Dirk.”

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From Melbourne: Phillip Island Penguin Parade & Koalas Tour - The Nobbies and the island’s rough edge
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From Melbourne: Phillip Island Penguin Parade & Koalas Tour

5.Phillip Island Penguin Parade & Koalas Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,408 reviews · 9h 30m · from $123

Travel from Melbourne by air-conditioned coach with a local driver-guide to Phillip Island’s koala reserve, The Nobbies, Cowes and the Penguin Parade. Expect coastal views, wildlife stops and a late return. Penguin Plus viewing is an optional upgrade, and the penguin arrival is watched without cameras.

“Great day seeing some Australian Wildlife with comfortable journey. Our Guide and driver Fiona was very friendly and provided lots of additional interesting Information about Australia and conservation.”

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Melbourne: Puffing Billy & Healesville Sanctuary Scenic Tour - Taking a breather at Emerald Lake
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Melbourne: Puffing Billy & Healesville Sanctuary Scenic Tour

6.Puffing Billy & Healesville Sanctuary Scenic Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,220 reviews · 8 hours · from $162

From central Melbourne, ride Puffing Billy through the Dandenong Ranges to Emerald Lake, then visit Healesville Sanctuary and the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie. Your English-speaking guide handles the driving and day’s schedule. The $162 price includes transport and admission to the train, sanctuary and chocolaterie, but not lunch or extra treats.

“Tom was very informative and attentive. Enjoyed the day and felt looked after”

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Great Ocean Road Tour Plus Koalas, Forest Walk and Morning Tea - Apollo Bay: lunch, a walk, or a swim
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Great Ocean Road Tour Plus Koalas, Forest Walk and Morning Tea

7.Great Ocean Road Tour Plus Koalas, Forest Walk and Morning Tea

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,068 reviews

Set out from Melbourne at 6:40 am for a full day on the Great Ocean Road, with coastal stops, the Twelve Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge, a guided walk at Mait’s Rest and a chance to spot wild koalas at Kennett River. Guides including Warren and Theo have been praised for making the long ride informative and fun. Lunch and dinner are at your own cost.

“We did the Great Ocean Road tour with Warren and had an incredible time! Warren was a great tour guide and made our day so much fun!”

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Phillip Island Penguins & Wildlife Day Tour from Melbourne - Cape Woolamai brings beach time in summer
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Phillip Island Penguins & Wildlife Day Tour from Melbourne

8.Phillip Island Penguins & Wildlife Day Tour from Melbourne

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 867 reviews · from $111

Travel from Melbourne in a small group of up to 24, stopping at Moonlit Sanctuary, Cape Woolamai in summer and the Nobbies before the evening penguin parade. The full-day tour includes a guide, transport, sanctuary entry and general penguin viewing. Bring warm layers: the coastal wait can be cold and windy.

“Absolutely 5-star experience. Tour guide Chris H. is informative and had given clear and concise account of South Australia nature and native history and best tips to watch penguins. He is very friendly and helpful and sometimes humorous. Enjoyed the tour very much.”

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Phillip Island Penguin and Koala Highlights Day-Trip from Melbourne - Cape Woolamai, Cowes and a pause for food
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Phillip Island Penguin and Koala Highlights Day-Trip from Melbourne

9.Phillip Island Penguin and Koala Highlights Day-Trip from Melbourne

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 775 reviews · from $125

Travel by air-conditioned coach from Melbourne to Phillip Island for a koala reserve visit, coastal stops at Cowes and the Nobbies, and the sunset Penguin Parade. The 9.5-hour trip includes general viewing and park admission, plus live commentary from a local driver-guide. Bring warm layers, plan to buy your own lunch, and leave your camera packed at the penguin viewing area.

“Wonderful experience! I enjoyed the koalas and the sanctuary, walking on the boardwalk at the Nobbies, and the penguin parade!”

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Melbourne Zoo: 1-Day Entry Ticket - Lion Gorge, then the Butterfly House
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Melbourne Zoo: 1-Day Entry Ticket

10.Melbourne Zoo: 1-Day Entry Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 747 reviews · 1 day · from $37Best value

Melbourne Zoo’s $37 general admission ticket gives you one day to explore more than 320 animal species, from tigers and monkeys to koalas, penguins and seals. Wander themed habitats at your own pace, catch scheduled keeper presentations and consider paying extra for a behind-the-scenes experience. The zoo is about 10 minutes from central Melbourne by tram, train or bus.

“It was a amazing Zoo. We loved it and would highly recommend it also.”

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Full-Day Phillip Island Tour with Kangaroo, Koala and Penguin Parade - Cowes: a meal stop with a village feel
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Full-Day Phillip Island Tour with Kangaroo, Koala and Penguin Parade

11.Full-Day Phillip Island Tour with Kangaroo, Koala and Penguin Parade

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 658 reviews · from $104

Travel from Melbourne to Phillip Island in an air-conditioned vehicle, with stops at Moonlit Sanctuary, Woolamai Beach, Cowes and the Nobbies before the penguin parade. Penguin admission and sanctuary entry are included. Expect a long day, plenty of bus time, cold evening winds and no photography during the parade.

“A great trip especially the last stop with the penguins, very cute. Our guide Elliot was fab lots of history and facts about Melbourne and beyond. In Cowes, grest recommendations for food.”

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Werribee Open Range Zoo: Entry Ticket - Walk from lions to gorillas and hippos
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Werribee Open Range Zoo: Entry Ticket

12.Werribee Open Range Zoo: Entry Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 646 reviews · 1 day · from $37

Spend a day at Werribee Open Range Zoo, 35 kilometers west of Melbourne. Admission includes a guided safari across open savannah, where you may see giraffes, rhinos and zebras, plus keeper talks at selected times. Walk to the lion, gorilla and hippo habitats, then explore Australian grasslands. Safari guides such as Morris and Holly have brought the ride to life, though the guide on your visit may differ.

“Be on time so u can watch the all the animals on time before they get tired after food”

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Phillip Island: Penguins and Wildlife Full-Day Tour - Clifftops, seals, and the view at The Nobbies
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Phillip Island: Penguins and Wildlife Full-Day Tour

13.Penguins and Wildlife Full-Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 642 reviews · 10 hours · from $109

Travel from Melbourne to Phillip Island by air-conditioned bus for a day of koalas, coastal views, Woolamai Beach, and the evening Penguin Parade. Park entry and a local English-speaking guide are included. Guides such as Fiona, Joe, and Ben have led trips, and the long day includes free time in Cowes before the penguins come ashore.

“We had an amazing time with this tour. Everything was well organised, with enough time for every stop. The enthusiasm and knowledge of our tour guide Fiona, made the whole tour even better. We could see the penguins from very close, and they were absolutely adorable. I definitely recommend this tour.”

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From Melbourne: Puffing Billy Steam Train & Wildlife Tour - Puffing Billy’s open-sided carriages
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From Melbourne: Puffing Billy Steam Train & Wildlife Tour

14.Puffing Billy Steam Train & Wildlife Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 640 reviews · 8 hours · from $140

Leave Melbourne by coach for a one-hour Puffing Billy ride from Belgrave to Lakeside, with open-sided carriages and a chance to dangle your legs outside. After a break at the Lakeside Visitor Centre, spend about two hours at Healesville Sanctuary seeing Australian wildlife. An English-speaking guide leads the day, with audio guides in 12 other languages.

“It was amazing! Such an unforgettable experience to expose legs and hands outside the train. Good to know the history about steamed train in Larkside Centre. Finally, Thanks Darren for his great drive and photos haha.”

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From Melbourne: Puffing Billy Train & Penguin Wildlife Tour - Starting in central Melbourne
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From Melbourne: Puffing Billy Train & Penguin Wildlife Tour

15.Puffing Billy Train & Penguin Wildlife Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 605 reviews · 12 hours · from $145

This 12-hour guided trip pairs a one-hour Puffing Billy ride from Belgrave to Lakeside, or the reverse, with The Nobbies and Phillip Island’s Penguin Parade. Your English-speaking guide handles the long transfers and shares local wildlife tips. General parade entry is included; Penguin Plus viewing may be available as an upgrade.

“Excellent long but very enjoyable day out. Puffing Billy train ride was superb. Tour Company has their own reserved carriage. Phillip Island was excellent but very very windy. Take plenty of warm clothing as it gets very cold. Unfortunately no photos allowed of the Penguins!! Our guide Jose was excellent throughout”

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New in Melbourne Wildlife Tours

★ 4.5Yarra Valley Chandon Cheese & Sunset Kangaroos from MelbourneFrom $12532 reviews
★ 4.5Phillip Island and French Island Wildlife ExpeditionFrom $16437 reviews
★ 5.0Wine and Wildlife Tour with Penguin ParadeFrom $12134 reviews
★ 5.0Dolphin & Whale CruiseFrom $9623 reviews
★ 4.590 minute wildlife and scenic cruiseFrom $5321 reviews
★ 4.01.5hour Scenic and Wildlife luxury cruiseFrom $5312 reviews
★ 4.0Dolphin and Seal snorkel adventure from SorrentoFrom $15020 reviews
★ 4.03 hour Dolphin and Seal Swim (NOV-APR)From $15043 reviews
★ 4.52 hour Seals & Seadragon SwimFrom $1258 reviews
★ 4.03-Hour Dolphin and Seal Sightseeing Cruise, operated with swim tour passengersFrom $7824 reviews
★ 5.0Yarra Valley Wine & Wildlife – Private Regional TourFrom $76735 reviews
★ 4.5Werribee Zoo & Werribee Mansion TourFrom $10443 reviews
★ 4.0Australian Experience at Werribee Open Range Zoo – excl. entryFrom $4229 reviews
★ 5.0Small group Great Ocean Road Reverse & Wildlife spottingFrom $1213 reviews
★ 5.0Melbourne and Moonlit Sanctuary Shore ExcursionFrom $1145 reviews

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