French & Phillip Island Wildlife Expedition

Start Location

688 Bourke Street, Melbourne, 3000

Departure Time

10am

Duration

11 Hours

What You Should Know About French & Phillip Island Expedition?

Get ready for an unforgettable day of wildlife, island-hopping, and jaw-dropping coastal views as you explore both French Island and Phillip Island in one epic adventure. Travel in style aboard a sleek catamaran across the crystal-blue waters of Western Port Bay, where dolphins and seals are often spotted along the way. On French Island, take a rugged 4WD tour through untouched wilderness, encounter koalas in the wild, and uncover hidden spots only locals know—complete with a delicious farmgate lunch in winter or afternoon tea in summer.

 

Next, cruise into the charming seaside village of Cowes on Phillip Island for a stroll along the pier, boutique shopping, or a bite at one of the many cafés. Soak in panoramic views from the Nobbies Boardwalk, home to a bustling seal colony and dramatic sea cliffs, before heading to the world-famous Penguin Parade. At dusk, watch the adorable Little Penguins waddle ashore as they return from a day at sea—an iconic Australian experience you’ll never forget. Want the best view? Upgrade to Penguins Plus, Underground Viewing, or a Ranger-Guided Tour for an even closer look!

Included

What To Bring

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Start Location

688 Bourke Street, Melbourne, Victoria, 3000 AUSTRALIA

Departure Time

10am

Return Time

9pm

Duration

11 hours

Free Date Changes

Subject to availability

FAQs About French & Phillip Island Expedition

The tour includes a return ferry ride across Western Port Bay with scenic views and possible dolphin or seal sightings, a guided 4WD tour on French Island with wild koala spotting, a lunch in winter or afternoon tea in summer, leisure time in Cowes on Phillip Island, a visit to the Nobbies Boardwalk with panoramic ocean views and seal colony lookout, and general admission to the Penguin Parade including the visitor centre and evening penguin viewing.

The tour is a full-day experience – approx 11h- allowing enough time to explore both French Island and Phillip Island, enjoy the 4WD adventure, and watch the Penguin Parade at sunset.

Highlights include wild koalas on French Island, dolphins and seals during the ferry ride, and fur seals at the Nobbies. Of course, the tour also includes the famous Little Penguins at Phillip Island.

Yes. Lunch is included on French Island.

Yes. The tour is family-friendly and offers wildlife encounters, scenic views, and engaging experiences for all ages.

Guests are advised to bring sunscreen, a camera, and a water bottle. Comfortable walking shoes and weather-appropriate clothing are also recommended.

Departure details will be provided at booking, typically from a central Melbourne or Western Port Bay location.

The best time to see the Penguin Parade is during the Australian spring and summer, from September to February. This is the breeding season, so the little penguins come ashore regularly and you may even see chicks in their nests, especially between November and January. Days are longer and the weather is warmer, making the experience more enjoyable.

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Maya Heidemann profile picture
Maya Heidemann
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Amazing service and highly recommended! If you are planning a snorkeling trip to the Great Barrier Reef, this is definitely the place to go. The advice was incredibly detailed, taking the time to explain which reefs and spots offer the absolute best chances to see an abundance of marine life and vibrant corals. What stood out the most was the complete transparency. No hidden fees, honest feedback on the different boats and tours, and clear expectations about what to anticipate. You can really tell that their main goal is to help you find the best possible experience, rather than just making a sale. Looking forward to the tour! Thank you for the fantastic recommendation.
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Maya Heidemann
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We were given a thorough and detailed consultation, and he took a lot of time to answer all our questions! We’re really looking forward to our snorkeling tour!
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Chloé
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Thank to Bailey and his team for his amazing thank for is advise on the activities. ☺️
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Shaw Dennis
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The staff at this company, especially Zoe, are incredibly helpful, attentive, and thorough in their explanations. She was extremely dedicated to following up on all of our requests. On top of that, she even provided local travel information, which was wonderful. Highly recommended!
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Julie
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Travel Hub Palm Cove, Qld were fabulous (in particular Bailey) when I had to cancel a trip recently at very short notice due to illness. They were kind and understanding and very prompt with the refund. I recommend them to other travellers.
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Ester Zanatta
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Shout out to Max for his guidance! He listened to my requirements and helped me figure out what I really wanted, and he explained the options in depth. With his help, I was able to have a fun day combining a flight over the reef with an excursion to Fitzroy island. All bookings went smooth. Great service!
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Harry Singh
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Big thank you to Elyra and Liz for helping booking us reef experience. Great team and efforts. Highly recommend them for any bookings.
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Rachel Campion
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Huge thanks to Niamh, she was absolutely great from start to finish—so helpful, knowledgeable, and easy to deal with. A great team that made organizing our trip completely hassle-free. Couldn't recommend them enough!
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Conall Durkin
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I had the most amazing time in Cairns. So many fabulous tours. Special shoutout to Niamh! If you need a tour booked in the Cairns area, I highly recommend her, so friendly and organised! Thanks Niamh
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Elizabeth Andrews
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Traveled to Cairns and took a day trip to Palm Cove where Charlotte helped create the best experience! I highly recommend working with her for any travel or vacation services.

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