Frequently Asked Questions
Check out our FAQs page for answers to common questions and to find helpful information about our products and services.
Yes, you’ll get up close and personal with some of Australia’s cutest and most iconic native animals at the Great Ocean Road Wildlife Park such as the Kangaroo, Wallaby and Emu.
You’ll also get to see Koalas.
You’ll also have the opportunity to enjoy a guided dingo experience, where you will step into the Dingo Pen, and learn more about these fascinating creatures.
During the summer – sure thing!
Depending on the time of year, you will have close to an hour to explore and most certainly take a swim in the beautiful clear waters.
If you ARE planning to swim, please ensure you bring bather, a change of clothes, and a towel.
You will need to be dry and de-sanded prior to getting back on board.
There are changing facilities and showers near the beach.
Yes, of course! We can accommodate all common dietary requests and allergies.
Please let us know about any requirements when booking or at least one day before your tour so we can make the necessary arrangements.
We provide pickups from all major hotels and accommodations on Phillip Island and in San Remo, as well as most Airbnbs and private residences – please select your nominated accommodation when booking. If you do not see your accommodation listed, please contact us.
Alternatively, if it’s more convenient, you can meet us on the main street of Cowes outside the Phillip Island Hotel.
If you coming in off a CRUISE SHIP into Phillip Island, it is important you select CRUISE SHIP DEPARTURE so that we can ensure we arrange for you our special cruise ship drop off.
We WILL contact you on the day of tour to confirm your exact pickup time – this will be within 30 minutes of the time shown on your booking.
We pickup from
the MELBOURNE ARTS CENTRE – 100R St Kilda Road Melbourne
and
South Wharf Bus Loop – Outside Novotel and Pan Pacific Hotels (this must be booked through us directly)
For our Melbourne Departure, we do not offer Hotel Pickups – the reason for this is that this tour departs later in the day, which generally means most people are out and about already.
Plus, being such a central location, the Arts Centre is a enjoyable and practical meeting place. It’s here where you can view one of Melbourne’s most magnificent landmarks, check out the surrounding museums, and treat yourself to a barista made coffee on us!
At the end of the night, we are able to offer Hotel Returns, and if your hotel is within the Melbourne CBD OR Southbank areas.
Please request this, and let us know of your hotel when booking.
Private Tours
Yes, we allow you to choose your pickup location from the list of areas below.
If you believe your location falls outside of these areas, please contact us and we can see what can be arranged
- Melbourne Metro
- Mornington Peninsula
- South East Suburbs
- West Gippsland
- Phillip Island
Payment is due at the time of booking in order to confirm your booking.
We have a Free Cancellation Policy up until 24 hours prior to your tour.
You will have a full three hours to relax and immerse yourself in the Hot Springs.
On very rare occasions, due to circumstances out of our control, your time may be slightly less than this – unfortunately we have no control over this.
Please remember to bring your bathers (swimwear). You’re also welcome to bring a towel, robe, and thongs (flip-flops). These items, along with other essentials, are available for purchase at the Hot Springs.
There will be plenty of room on the bus to store your items for the day.
We also recommend bringing a bit of extra money, but please note that most places are now card-only, so make sure to bring a debit or credit card for purchases.
We recommend bringing comfortable clothing, suitable footwear for light walking (note: there are only short walks), sunscreen (if needed), and a water bottle (we have plenty of places to refill).
Don’t forget your camera or phone, along with a charger to capture all the amazing moments!
We also suggest bringing a bit of extra money in case you’d like to make additional purchases along the way.
CHECK THE WEATHER HERE before you leave as well.
The weather can change quite quickly in our regions, and therefore we recommend bringing warm clothing on all tours – even during the summer time.
Photos are permitted at all locations except the Phillip Island Penguin Parade. Penguins’ eyes are very sensitive, and any bright or sudden flashes can frighten and blind them. Please do not use cameras of any kind including phones and camcorders at any time during your visit to the Penguin Parade after sunset.
Yes, on our way back to Melbourne, we make a 30-45 minute stop in the charming country town of Colac. There are plenty of great dining options for you to choose from during this break.
Booking is easy! You can book directly through our website, by phone, or by emailing us. We recommend booking in advance to secure your preferred date and ensure availability.
Please note, we do not accept walk-up bookings on the day of the tour.
Email – [email protected]
Phone – +61 0417 887 234 (whatsapp preferred)
The cost of your tour includes travel on our private mini-bus, a knowledgeable guide, entry fees to attractions, and all specific inclusions as listed in the tour description.
There are no hidden fees or charges to pay on the day, aside from any personal purchases you may choose to make during the tour.
While most of our tours include food and drink, you’re welcome to bring your own snacks to enjoy throughout the day. We kindly ask that you dispose of any rubbish in our bins and avoid making a mess on board.
Please remember to bring a water bottle with you to stay hydrated during the tour.
Absolutely! Our tours are open to all group sizes, from a solo traveler to groups of up to 15 people – and everything in between.
For individual travellers, we offer the added assurance of your own window seat with no one you don’t know sitting next to you. It’s all part of the premium experience we provide!
The minimum group size will depend on the tour you have selected.
Most time our prices are based on a minimum of 6 travellers. If your group is under this, you are still able to travel with us, however we may have to revise the costing.
Yes, our tours are designed to be mobility-friendly.
You’re welcome to bring a walking stick along, and most of our tours can accommodate a wheeled walker. However, we ask that you please confirm with us in advance to ensure the best experience.
For the large majority of our tours, there will be very little walking involved – as long as you can safely board and disembark our vehicles unassisted (max 4 steps) then you will be able to manage our tours.
Unfortunately, we are unable to cater for wheelchairs on this tour.
We welcome registered service animals on our tours. However, we ask that you notify us in advance if you plan to bring a service animal.
In some cases, we may request documentation to verify the animal’s registration. This ensures we can accommodate your needs effectively during the tour.
Our tour does include a portion of the cruise that ventures into open water. If you’re prone to seasickness, we recommend taking precautions to ensure a comfortable experience.
We suggest bringing along sea sickness tablets or another remedy that works for you, just in case. This way, you can fully enjoy your tour without any discomfort.
In true Melbourne fashion, we are accustomed to four seasons in one day here.
We ask that you please check the weather prior to your departure, and dress and pack accordingly.
Your tour will not be cancelled unless we believe that certain weather conditions pose a safety risk to you, or locations we are visiting.
Up to date weather can be found here
http://www.bom.gov.au/vic/forecasts/melbourne.shtml
Occasionally, the Cruise portion of the tour may need to be canceled due to unforeseen circumstances. However, this does not mean the entire tour is canceled! Most often, we’ll offer you a spot on our Wine & Penguins Tour, which includes all the fantastic inclusions of your original tour.
If that doesn’t work, we can typically offer you the option to re-book for another day.
Please note, if you’ve booked through an online travel agent (such as Viator or GetYourGuide), rebooking can be more challenging. We always recommend booking directly with us for the most flexibility and ease in these situations.
This is ok – we understand wine isn’t everyone’s flavour.
Depending on our venue, we can most often find a suitable substitute – this could either be beer, soft drink, juice, or another sort of drink.
Unfortunately we aren’t able to change the cost of the tour where wine isn’t consumed.
In Victoria, it is illegal for anyone under 18 years old to consume alcohol. Our guides may request valid proof of ID if they believe you or someone in your group is under 18. If valid identification cannot be provided, alcohol will not be served to that individual, and no refund or reimbursement will be issued.
Anyone who is under the age of 18 may be provided a substitute if we are made aware of their age prior to the day of tour.
If you are coming in on a Cruise Ship, then please make yourself familiar with the information here.
A few things to note:
- We DON’T pickup from the Cruise Ship Terminal, we pick up from the Cowes Transit Centre – which is where the Shuttle Bus drops you off
- Please ensure you indicate that you are coming off the Cruise when you make your booking
- Most times, we tour with the Cruise Ship Passengers in their own bus – however, this does depend on booking numbers on the day
- We WILL take you back to the Cruise Ship Terminal AFTER the tour is complete. We have NEVER missed a return drop off.
You’re welcome to eat before the tour or during your free time in Cowes.
Alternatively, we aim to arrive at the Penguin Parade about an hour before the first penguins appear. This gives you the option to enjoy a meal at the on-site restaurant or café.
Please note that we cannot guarantee how busy it will be or how much time you’ll have to eat, as this can vary depending on the time of year.