Explore Australia French & Phillip Island Wildlife Expedition

Map View Full Details Reviews

A day of island hopping from French Island to Phillip Island, getting up close to native wildlife — koalas in the wild on French Island and the Penguin Parade on Phillip Island.

Days

11 hours

Group size

Small group

Start / finish

Melbourne / 688 Bourke St, Melbourne

Return

See itinerary for details

Transport

Mini-coach, 4WD on French Island and fast catamaran ferries

Meals

Farmgate lunch in winter or afternoon tea in summer

Route

Map of Explore Australia French & Phillip Island Wildlife Expedition

View map

Included experiences

French Island — 4WD tour and koalas in the wild
Western Port — catamaran crossing, dolphins and seals
Cowes — pier, esplanade and main street
The Nobbies — boardwalk and seal colony
Phillip Island — the Penguin Parade

Explore Australia French & Phillip Island Wildlife Expedition

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

MORNING: MELBOURNE TO WESTERN PORT

Your guide collects you in central Melbourne, late morning in winter or around lunchtime in summer, and drives south-east to Western Port. This wide, shallow bay is a Ramsar-listed wetland, its mangroves, seagrass and mudflats feeding thousands of migratory shorebirds that fly in from the Arctic each summer. On the Mornington Peninsula shore you board a fast Western Port Ferries catamaran for the short crossing to French Island. Watch the water and the jetty piles as you go, because seals and pelicans often turn up along the coast. It's a crossing most visitors to Melbourne never know about.

MIDDAY: FRENCH ISLAND BY 4WD

French Island is the largest island in Western Port, and about two-thirds of it is national park. There's no mains power or town water, around a hundred residents and almost no traffic. From the jetty you climb into a 4WD with your guide and follow sandy tracks into the bush to look for wild koalas. They were brought to the island in the late 1800s and did so well that French Island koalas were later used to restock parts of the mainland. In winter you stop for a farmgate lunch, and in summer for afternoon tea.

AFTERNOON: FERRY TO COWES AND THE NOBBIES

Back on the catamaran, the next crossing brings you into Cowes, Phillip Island's main town, named after the sailing town on England's Isle of Wight. Look for dolphins and seals on the way, and the houses perched along the cliffs. You have time to walk the long pier and the Esplanade, with cafés, boutiques and ice cream on the main street. Then it's out to The Nobbies at the island's western tip, where boardwalks run along the sea bluffs. Offshore lies Seal Rocks, home to Australia's largest colony of fur seals, and the birdlife on the headland is busy all year.

DUSK: THE PENGUIN PARADE

As the light fades you take your place on the viewing stands above Summerland Beach. Little penguins are the smallest penguins in the world, about 33 cm tall, and after a day fishing at sea they gather in small rafts just offshore until it is dark enough to risk the dash across the sand to their burrows. Phillip Island's colony is the largest anywhere. The visitor centre explains how they live, and for an extra cost, booked in advance, you can upgrade to Penguins Plus, Penguins Discovery or a guided ranger tour. Then it's the drive back to Melbourne in the dark.

Map

Good to know

Finishes: 688 Bourke St, Melbourne.
Fitness: Moderate.
Dietary needs: Gluten free, vegan, dairy free and vegetarian meals are catered for.

What to bring

Refillable water bottle
Sturdy walking shoes
Sun hat
Sunscreen

What is included

Western Port ferry crossings
French Island 4WD tour
Farmgate lunch (winter) or afternoon tea (summer)
Nobbies boardwalk visit
Penguin Parade

Not included

Penguin Parade upgrades, which must be pre-booked: Penguins Plus $40, Underground viewing $55, Guided Ranger $65

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

Do I need to take any medical supplies?

It is not necessary to bring any medical supplies other than any personal items you may require. Each tour carries a first aid box, and the tour guides are all certified in First Aid.

Do I need travel insurance?

Insurance is important in protecting visitors from loss or damange of goods, medical problems, cancelation by passengers or other casualties. Its highly recommended. Some tours on this website require you to have travel insurance. If you are Australian then it is not necessary.

Where can I get more information about this trip?

If you find that this tour page doesn't answer all your questions, then please get in contact with us! Our passionate team are always available to answer any queries you may have.

What immunisations do I need?

For the latest information on immunisations, we strongly recommend you or contact the Travellers Medical and Vaccination Centre (www.traveldoctor.com.au) to discuss health requirements for your trip. They will advise you about appropriate inoculations.

Will I be able to use my mobile whilst on tour?

You can use your mobile while touring in Australia or New Zealand, but coverage may be limited in remote areas. For best connectivity, consider purchasing a local SIM card or an international roaming plan.

How fit do I need to be?

These tours are designed to be fun, informative and active, and can be enjoyed by anyone with a moderate degree of fitness and agility. Travellers should be comfortable with hiking or walking up to 5km each day.

What should I pack?

Depending on where in Australia or New Zealand you decide to visit, your luggage will vary. For exact information please visit the "What to bring" section of each tour page.

Private tours and families

Is it possible to travel in a private group?

If you are looking for a private tour based on one of these trips, please contact us directly and we may be able to help. Over the years we have worked with families, groups of friends, schools, clubs and charities to put together the perfect trip.

Booking the trip

Does the tour price include flights?

No. Tour prices do not include any travel arrangements other than for the duration of the tour itself. If you need assistance with booking flights or buses our travel team and certainly help - Just ask!

How far in advance do I need to book my tour?

As a rule of thumb, try to book at least 2 weeks prior to departure, this will usually get you a seat on the date you want. That being said, we cannot guarantee that spaces will be available at the time of your booking so, if you can, book as soon as possible. Bookings can still be made right up until the departure date of the tour if seats are available. If you know when you'd like to travel, please contact us and we will let you know if you need to book soon or if you have time.

Do I have to book this tour online?

Definitely not. Our website is designed to make is easy and convenient for you to schedule your tour. However we understand sometimes its nice to talk to someone directly. So by all means give us a call and we can organise your trip over the phone.

If I book more than one tour can I get a discount?

Absolutely! If you are booking multiple tours then we may be able to offer you a discount. Send us an email at info@lostinaustralia.org and let us know what you thinking of doing and we can put together a price for you.Also, be sure to look out for monthly specials on tours. We often have some great bargains.

How do I know when a tour is available?

You can check the departure dates of tours by using our calendar on the top right hand corner of the tour page. This will tell you what days the tour departs. For availability of seats please contact us directly at info@lostinaustralia.org or call us.

If I make a deposit only, when will I need to pay the balance?

Balance on tours need to be paid at least 30 days prior to departure. Failure to do so could result is the cancellation of your seat with a fee charged. If you need more time to clear your balance then let us know ASAP and arrangements can be made.

Who travels with us

Is it ok to travel alone on one of these tours?

Plenty of travellers book these tours on their own. Solo travellers are very much welcomed and encouraged. During your outback adventure you'll meet new and interesting people and forge relationships that last a lifetime.Solo travellers will usually share a room with a travelling companion of the same sex, but even if you do get your own room you won't be charged extra. On camping tours there are generally enough tents available that you can have your own if you choose to.For more information please contact us directly.

Cost and Fees

Do I need to tip the guide?

If you had an amazing time on tour and wish to tip your guide, that is completely up to you. Tipping is not customary in Australia and is not at all expected.

Will I need additional money?

Travellers are advised to bring some cash, as ATMs and banks can be few and far between in the remote parts of the trip. It is handy to have some extra cash, as the tour does stop by local shops and cafes.

Are there any hidden fees I need to know about?

Our tour prices are completely transparent. There are no additional fees involved that are not included in the overall tour price shown. If you wish to do optional activities such as helicopter rides or wildlife safaris, then an extra cost may be needed. However, this will always be made clear at the time of your booking.

What does Paid Locally mean?

Some tours require you to pay national park fees directly, in cash, to the tour guide on the morning of departure. Rest assured this will be subtracted from the tour price when reserving your tour.

Whilst on tour

Can I book extra accommodation for the start and end of the tour?

We know our country inside and out and would be happy to give you good recommodations. Please contact us for recommendations.

Where do I meet the tour?

For pick-up times and locations, please check the "Start/Finish" section directly under the itinerary, which lists every pick-up point and its time.There is a lot of information there to help you plan your flights and arrival.Please review it carefully, as pick-ups can vary from tour to tour.

Reviews

5.0

Based on 1 review

Verified from

Real reviews from travellers who've done this tour, gathered from around the web and paraphrased.

How we collect and publish reviews

Where they come from. Our reviews are gathered from independent review sites and from guests who share feedback with us directly after their trip. They come from people who have actually travelled on the tour. Some longer trips are made up of shorter tours we also sell, run back to back — where a review was written about one of those legs, the review says so.

Why some are edited. Many of our guests travel in their second or third language. Where a review is hard to read, we lightly edit spelling, grammar and punctuation, or paraphrase a sentence for clarity. We never change the rating, the meaning or the sentiment, and we never write a review on a guest's behalf.

Reading the originals. Reviews sourced from public review sites appear there in their original form, and can be read in full at their original source at any time.

(5/5)

I booked the French Island and Phillip Island tour at the last minute and the organisation was exceptional. Stuart made the day with his expertise, enthusiasm and good humour, and I'd happily do it again in sunshine.

Charlie Briar Verified· Travelled 2nd October 2026

Read original ↗