Day Trips
6+ hours
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this booking up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
Recommended by 96% of travellers
96% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
from
AU$199
per adult
Explore Australia Tours
Explore Australia Tours
5
Beer Tastings & ToursFood ToursWine Tours & Tastings Bus ToursDay Trips
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Full view
About
Whether you're looking for an adventure or just want to relax, our tours will provide something that suits your tastes. Whether it be wine country in Victoria's Bellarine or Mornington Peninsula; a day relaxing at the Peninsula Hot Springs, or getting off-grid to French Island before watching the Penguin Parade – Our tours deliver that ‘local feel’ with joy, a sense of fun and absolute quality.
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Tours and Tickets by Explore Australia Tours
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Full-day Tours
6+ hours
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this booking up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
Recommended by 95% of travellers
95% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
from
AU$149
AU$135
per adult
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Puffing Billy Train and Penguins Wildlife Tour
Puffing Billy Train and Penguins Wildlife Tour
Rail Tours
6+ hours
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this booking up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
from
AU$219
AU$198
per adult
Day Trips
6+ hours
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this booking up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
from
AU$169
per adult
Beer & Brewery Tours
6+ hours
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this booking up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
Recommended by 100% of travellers
100% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
from
AU$199
per adult
Travellers talk about
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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5.0
390 reviews
Excellent
340
Very good
29
Average
8
Poor
5
Terrible
8
Kathryn F
Melbourne, Australia16 contributions
Jan 2020
My brother and i really enjoyed the this intimate full day tour to both locations, French Island and Phillip Island.
We loved the fact it was a small group which made it easy to connect with those on the bus.
French Island was really interesting and definitely is a point of difference for returning travellers to Melbourne, and for people who are wanting to escape the usual tourist trail to the penguins, or for people who want to step back in time, as well as experience koalas in their natural environment. We saw 4 koalas and they were so active!
I loved the touch of the homemade lunch and the homestead, it was in a beautiful location, and we got tot try the local wine produced on French Island, which was actually delicious!
The ferry journeys were a nice way to break up the day and add a point of difference.
The tour was paced very nicely and although it's a longer tour to Phillip Island from other options out there, the tour didn't lag at all.
Our guide was very approachable and funny and a joyous guide.
I would definitely suggest this tour if you're looking to experience this stunning part of Victoria in a unique way.
We loved the fact it was a small group which made it easy to connect with those on the bus.
French Island was really interesting and definitely is a point of difference for returning travellers to Melbourne, and for people who are wanting to escape the usual tourist trail to the penguins, or for people who want to step back in time, as well as experience koalas in their natural environment. We saw 4 koalas and they were so active!
I loved the touch of the homemade lunch and the homestead, it was in a beautiful location, and we got tot try the local wine produced on French Island, which was actually delicious!
The ferry journeys were a nice way to break up the day and add a point of difference.
The tour was paced very nicely and although it's a longer tour to Phillip Island from other options out there, the tour didn't lag at all.
Our guide was very approachable and funny and a joyous guide.
I would definitely suggest this tour if you're looking to experience this stunning part of Victoria in a unique way.
Written 21 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for the great Review Kathryn, we love that you enjoyed your trip to French and Phillip islands with us. It certainly is a lot different to your average trip to the penguins! We hope you enjoy the rest of your travels.
Written 30 January 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Antoinette L
1 contribution
Apr 2022 • Business
We caught the ferry from Sorrento to Queenscliffe and were met at the terminal by a friendly young man Chris, who explained he will drive us to the main parts in Queenscliffe town for shopping and sightseeing. Not to mention the price for it would only be $4 pp. He was very welcoming and warm telling us about interesting things around Queenscliffe. The service allowed us to be picked up on the way back to the ferry. Once we finished sightseeing we were met with the same lovely Guide Chris who picked us up and spoke about the various tours they have on offer he was very professional and engaging and we hope all the tour guides have amazing customer service like Chris. We bought our tickets to board the ferry back to Sorrento when we were met with a staff member Dianne. She was equally lovely and finished our tour with a friendly smile. She helped my client who has a disability get settled and helped her take a seat outside to view the boat better. This was very much appreciated especially as a carer. A wonderful end to our day trip to Queenscliffe. Thank you
Antoinette & Tanya
Antoinette & Tanya
Written 10 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello Antoinette & Tanya,
Thank you for your wonderful review of your experience with our guide Chris, Explore Australia & Searoad Ferries. The Searoad Shuttle Hop-On/Hop-off service is a new offering during the Summer & Easter school holidays from Sorrento & Queenscliff to get foot passengers exploring more of each town.. We hope you are able to join us next time you are down.
Regards,
Polly
Written 2 May 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
佳怡 赵
1 contribution
Sept 2024 • Friends
This trip was an incredibly pleasant experience. The tour guide was not only very responsible but also had a great sense of humor. He carefully arranged every detail of the itinerary, ensuring that we felt comfortable and satisfied at every stage of the journey. His humorous and engaging commentary added a lot of fun to the experience, leaving us with unforgettable memories. Overall, I would highly recommend this tour.
Written 27 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your wonderful review! We are so glad to hear that you had such a pleasant experience and that our guide’s sense of humor and attention to detail made your journey enjoyable. Creating unforgettable memories for our guests is what we strive for, and your recommendation means a lot to us. We look forward to having you join us again in the future!
Written 28 September 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Wayne T
Melbourne, Australia16 contributions
Feb 2024 • Couples
Tour was Hobsons Bay Bus Tour on Saturday 10th Feb 2024. We thought the idea was to showcase/highlight Hobsons Bay i.e Williamstown, Newport and Altona, at least a little bit. Williamstown (Gardens and beach) and Newport (Lakes) was great with a little bit of commentary as we passed one or two other major attractions. All of Altona's highlights were driven passed without a mention and although we could see that Altona had a tree-lined beach we kept to a through road to Truganina Coastal Park (great views). The guide had a book of old photos taken around Hobsons Bay. Included were about 6 photos of the old racecourse. We never went near this area which would have been a great entrance point into Altona and the beachfront. I am presuming this is a brand new tour with an inexperienced guide so hopefully it improves.
Written 14 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your detailed feedback on the Hobsons Bay Bus Tour. We’re glad you enjoyed Williamstown and Newport, but we apologize for the lack of commentary on Altona and the missed opportunity to explore the area further. Your observations are valuable, and we’ll use them to enhance the tour and guide experience. We appreciate your insights and hope to provide a more comprehensive and engaging tour in the future. Thank you for sharing!
Written 12 August 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Ken Jeffs
18 contributions
May 2024 • Couples
Our much anticipated visit to Phillip Island to view the Penguin Parade was preceded by a stop at the wonderful Moonlit Sanctuary, and then an approach along the beach road viewing wallabies and geese along the way. Watching the penguins rush ashore at sunset was magical and our superb driver, Darren, briefed us fully prior on what to watch for. A genuinely amazing experience!
Written 3 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi
Thanks for traveling with Explore Australia and the great review.
Darren is a great guide and so helpful and friendly. So glad you had a good time with him. I will pass this onto Darren.
Feel free to recommend us to your freinds.
Enjoy your travels.
Marnie
Explore Austraila Team
Written 25 July 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Andy F
Devizes, UK1,395 contributions
Oct 2024 • Friends
Went on two tours with this company, both of which were about 12 hours long. Covered an awful lot of ground and saw lots of stuff. The guides/ drivers were young, knowledgeable and enthusiastic. They worked very hard to cover all the ground. The tours I did were Great Ocean Road, and All Around The Bay Food & Wine. Both excellent, although very tiring. Recommended.
Written 12 October 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Andy!
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience! We're so glad to hear you enjoyed both the Great Ocean Road and All Around The Bay Food & Wine tours. It sounds like you had quite the adventure, and we’re thrilled that our guides made the journey enjoyable with their enthusiasm and knowledge.
We completely understand that the tours are packed with so much to see and do, and we’re glad to hear that you found them worthwhile despite being a bit tiring! Your recommendation means a lot to us, and we hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you on another tour in the future.
Thanks again for your feedback and for choosing to travel with us!
Written 12 October 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Ali
5 contributions
Apr 2024 • Friends
We had an amazing day on our Yarra Valley tour, thanks to Marnie from Cheap Az who organised the trip for me and my 23 friends and thanks to Margaret our amazing driver for the day! Margaret was great and was so efficient on our trip! We really enjoyed our day out!
Written 7 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for the wonderful feedback! We’re delighted to hear that you and your friends had an amazing day on the Yarra Valley tour. It’s fantastic to know that Marnie’s organization and Margaret’s efficiency made your trip enjoyable. We’ll be sure to pass along your compliments to both of them. Thanks for sharing your experience, and we look forward to hosting you again in the future!
Written 12 August 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Google U
10 contributions
Feb 2024 • Solo
The guide was VERY professional, knowledgeable and entertaining. He was also very appropriate with everyone, it's a skill you don't always see. The places visited were really interesting and many I didn't know existed despite living in Melbourne once. Brilliant. Thank you
Written 11 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your kind words! We’re delighted to hear that you found the guide professional, knowledgeable, and entertaining, and that their skillful approach stood out. It’s great to know that the tour revealed interesting places you hadn’t seen before. We appreciate your feedback and hope to have the pleasure of hosting you again soon!
Written 12 August 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Zoe Z
1 contribution
Nov 2022 • Friends
I went on the Around the Bay Sightseeing and Bay Cruise tour which was very well organised. And a special thank you to Ken and Chris for helping me find my stuff that was left in the car. Ken contacted and met me in the Mel CBD after work hours just to drop it off to me at the same day. Much appreciated! Your tour and service are highly recommended. The view was spectacular too! (Tried uploading photos here a couple of times and but always processing and never succeeded…)
PS: a tip for future travellers though is to bring all your stuff with you at all times if possible!
PS: a tip for future travellers though is to bring all your stuff with you at all times if possible!
Written 13 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for choosing to explore Melbourne and Victoria with us, 818Zoez. We're glad to hear that you enjoyed your experience and found our tour well-organized. It's great that our team was able to go above and beyond for you by returning your lost belongings. We hope you had a wonderful time experiencing the beauty of the Bellarine & Mornington Peninsula from land and sea!
Thank you again for choosing Explore Australia Tours and we hope to welcome you on another tour soon!
Written 21 November 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Baby S
1 contribution
Dec 2024 • Family
A day on the Puffing Billy Railway is absolutely worth it!
The historic steam train departs from Lakeside and weaves through the vast Dandenong Ranges. With a unique experience and lots to see, there is no going wrong with a Puffing Billy train ride.
The historic steam train departs from Lakeside and weaves through the vast Dandenong Ranges. With a unique experience and lots to see, there is no going wrong with a Puffing Billy train ride.
Written 18 December 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your fantastic review! We are delighted to hear that you had such a memorable experience on the Puffing Billy Railway. The journey through the beautiful Dandenong Ranges is truly special, and we are glad you enjoyed all that it has to offer. We truly appreciate your feedback and hope to welcome you back for more unique experiences in the future.
Written 28 December 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Hi, I and my family will visit Melbourne and would like to buy 1 Day Puffing Billy Steam Train and WildLife Tour Melbourne. However when checking online, there’s not enough seat available. Would it be possible that we will have 5 seats either on 26 Dec or 27 Dec 2023 for this tour program?
Written 29 October 2023
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*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.