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 will get up close and personal with some of Australia’s most cute and cuddly native animals at the Great Ocean Road Wildlife Park.
You will also have the opportunity to have a guided dingo experience as well.
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 cater for all common allergies & dietary requests.
All we ask is that you let us know of these upon booking or PRIOR TO THE DAY OF TOUR so we can ensure we have time to prepare.
The time shown on your booking is the earliest time in which we would pick you up (unless we let you know otherwise)
We will contact you on the day to let you know your UPDATED pickup time – please note, that this can be anywhere from 5 minutes, to 1 hour passed the initial booking time.
We have deliberately designed the tour like this, as sometimes we have quite a few pickups to do on the Island, or they are quite far apart.
You are not missing out on any part of the tour should we pick you up later than the initial time that is shown
Please ensure you have a WORKING Mobile Phone number we can contact you on on the day
Yes we do!
When you make your booking with us, please indicate where you’d like to be picked up from and returned to.
We pickup from all main hotels and accommodation on Phillip Island and San Remo, as well as most Air BnBs and private residences.
Alternatively, we can pick you up from the main street of Cowes outside of the Phillip Island Hotel if this works easier for you.
For our Melbourne Pickup, 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.
A basic level of fitness is required for this tour.
You will be expected to safely navigate the steps of our bus unassisted, as well as walk 100m comfortably.
There will be plenty of opportunities to go further and be more active, however, we do require all our passengers to be able to meet these minimums.
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 will you.
You are welcome to bring a towel, robe, and thongs (flip flops) with you too, however, these items and more can be purchased at the Hot Springs.
There will be room to store these on the bus for the day.
We also recommend bringing a bit of extra money, in case you want to make additional purchases – please make sure you bring card, as most places are card-only now.
We recommend bringing comfortable clothing, suitable footwear for walking (only short walks), sunscreen (if the weather requires it), and a water bottle (there will be plenty of locations to fill this up)
Don’t forget your camera, or just your phone, and charging device as well.
We also recommend bringing a bit of extra money, in case you want to make additional purchases.
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.
On our way back to Melbourne we will make a 30-45 min stop for you to get dinner in the country town of Colac.
There are plenty of great options here for you to choose from.
You can book directly through our website, by phone, or by contacting us via email. We recommend booking in advance to secure your preferred date.
We do not accept walk-up bookings on the day.
Each tour includes travel on our private mini-bus, a knowledgeable guide, entry fees to attractions, and all specific inclusions listed.
We do not have any extra fees or charges to pay on the day, except what you may choose to purchase from your own doing.
Most of our tours do include food and drink, however you are welcome to bring along your own to snack on throughout the day.
We just ask that no mess is made on board, and any rubbish is disposed of in our bins.
Please bring a water bottle along with you.
Yes!
All of our tours are open to any size of groups – from 1 person to 15 people, and everything in between.
The great thing about our individual travellers, is that we also provide you the assurance that you will have your own window seat on board – with no one that you dont no sat next to you!
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, this tour is suitable for Children and people with mobility issues.
Any child under the age of 18 on the day of the tour will not be permitted to consume alcohol.
We reserve the right to ask for ID, or refuse consumption if suitable ID is not provided.
Our tours are mobility friendly.
You are welcome to bring a stick along with you on the day.
Most tours can accommodate the use of a wheely walker – however, we ask you please check this with us first.
We are unable to cater for wheelchairs.
Animal companions are only permitted to join our tours if they are registered service animals.
If you wish to bring a registered service animal along on tour you must notify us first.
We may require you to provide us with evidence of the animal’s registration.
This tour does venture into open water for a portion of the cruise. So if you are prone to sea sickness, it is recommend that you take steps to ensure that your journey is as pleasant as possible for yourself.
Sea sickness tablets, or a similar remedy, is advised if you think you may need them.
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
Sometimes the Cruise portion of this tour does need to be cancelled – but don’t worry, that doesnt meant we cancel altogether.
Most times, the tour will continue, and we will book you on our Wine & Penguins Tour – which includes all the same amazing inclusions that your tour does.
Otherwise, most times we can give you the option to re-book on another day.
Please be aware, that if you book through an ONLINE TRAVEL AGENT (Viator, Get Your Guide etc) it can sometimes be hard to re-book you.
We always advise booking with us directly.
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.
It is illegal for anyone in Victoria to consume alcohol if they are under 18 years old.
Our guides have the right to ask for valid proof of ID if they believe you, or one of your group, to be under 18.
If this isn’t able to be provided, then no alcohol will be provided to this person, and no refund or reimbursement will be provided.
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.