Melbourne: 12 Apostles, Great Ocean Road, Blue Penguins & Wild Kangaroos + Koalas

Spend a few days exploring the vibrant city of Melbourne, Australia, as your base for discovering the stunning Great Ocean Road, charming blue penguins, the breathtaking Twelve Apostles, temperate rainforests, and kangaroos and koalas in the wild. Let me show you what to do on your next trip.

Melbourne Australia

Spend a few days exploring the vibrant city of Melbourne, Australia, and make it your home base as you embark on a journey to discover some of the most breathtaking sights and experiences the region has to offer. Melbourne is a city that pulses with life, known for its eclectic blend of cultures, stunning architecture, and a thriving food scene. Spend evenings wandering through bustling laneways filled with cafés, art galleries, and street art, and during the day, dive into the rich history and trendy shopping districts.

From Melbourne, set out on an unforgettable road trip along the iconic Great Ocean Road. This scenic coastal drive is renowned for its jaw-dropping views and charming seaside towns. Stop along the way to savor fresh seafood, admire the rugged cliffs, and discover stunning beaches. The journey culminates in one of Australia’s most famous natural wonders, the Twelve Apostles. These towering limestone stacks rise dramatically from the Southern Ocean, offering an awe-inspiring sight that will leave you breathless. Don’t forget your camera; sunset here is particularly magical, painting the sky in rosy hues that reflect on the ocean’s surface.

While you’re on the Great Ocean Road, take a detour to visit the charming blue penguins at Phillip Island. These tiny creatures make their nightly journey from the sea to their burrows, and watching them waddle ashore is nothing short of delightful. It is a unique experience and a chance to observe wildlife in its natural habitat, making it a highlight of your trip.

An excursion into the temperate rainforests of the Great Otway National Park is another must-do on this adventure. Walk among towering trees, lush ferns, and the sounds of native wildlife that fill the air. This serene environment offers numerous walking trails suitable for all levels of hikers, and you might even spot a koala or two nestled high in the trees.

Speaking of wildlife, keep your eyes peeled for kangaroos and koalas in the wild. Australia is home to these unique animals, and seeing them in their natural environment is a thrilling experience. Various areas, especially around Melbourne and along the Great Ocean Road, are known for kangaroo sightings, and you may find yourself fortunate enough to catch sight of a koala as well.

With so much to see and do, Melbourne not only serves as an exciting urban destination but also as a perfect launching point for your adventures into nature and wildlife. Pack your bags, book your trip, and get ready to create unforgettable memories surrounded by the stunning landscapes and rich experiences that only Australia can offer.

Make sure to see the rest of our 10-day Australia Vacation. Plus find out how to plan a family cruise and plan a disney vacation too!

How Long to Stay in Melbourne

I suggest a minimum of 2-3 days to see the highlights of Melbourne and the surrounding area, but there are plenty of additional activities to explore if you spend longer!

Melbourne Weather

January brings warm summer days, perfect for enjoying outdoor activities and soaking up the sun. You’ll want to keep cool and stay hydrated as temperatures often rise. February continues the summer vibe with plenty of sunshine. It’s a great time to visit parks and beaches, but be prepared for some heatwaves. March marks the transition to autumn. The weather is usually mild, making it a pleasant time for exploring the city as the leaves begin to change colors.

April is known for its cool, crisp days and occasional rain. It’s a beautiful time to experience Melbourne’s vibrant gardens and street art. May brings cooler temperatures and a higher chance of rain. It’s the perfect time to cozy up in cafes and enjoy the local food scene. June is the start of winter, with chilly temperatures and often gray skies. Be sure to wear layers and take advantage of indoor attractions like museums and galleries.

July is typically the coldest month. While temperatures drop, the city has a cozy charm, with plenty of events and activities to keep you entertained. August continues the winter season, but you’ll start to feel the days slowly getting longer. It’s a nice time to enjoy warm drinks and the vibrant arts scene. September signals spring’s arrival. The weather becomes milder, with blooming flowers and longer days, making it an exciting time to explore everything Melbourne has to offer.

October is known for unpredictable weather, with a mix of sunny and rainy days. It’s a lively month with festivals and events as the city comes to life. November brings warmer weather and the feeling of summer on the horizon. It’s a great time for outdoor festivals and enjoying the beautiful parks. Finally, December ushers in the summer season, filled with sunshine and festivities. It’s a wonderful time to celebrate the holidays and enjoy everything Melbourne has to offer.

No matter when you visit Melbourne, each month has its unique charm and experiences waiting for you!

Melbourne Hotels

There are lots of great options to choose from depending on where you want to make your home base. We picked our hotel based on the one our tours offered as a free pick-up location. For those purposes, we choose near the Immigration Museum. However, there was nothing particulary amazing about our hotel so I won’t mention it. All hotels are easy to access from taxis atthe airport and great public transportation system.

Melbourne australia activities

As we had already spent over a week exploring Australia, we opted to take two tours that we felt like allowed us to see the best this area of Australia had to visit. After Melbourne, we flew back to the United States.

Philips Island & Blue Penguin Day Trip

We joined the Phillip Island Tour with Kangaroo, Koala and Penguin Parade tour and had a great time . I would happily do this tour again!

First stop was at Moonlit Sanctuary. I wasn’t really thinking this stop would be anything special, but boy was I wrong. Skip the guides tour and head right to the gift shop to get food and to the kangaroo area. You can feed and pet six different types of of kangaroos including kangaroo island kangaroo, swamp wallaby, red-necked wallaby, eastern grey kangaroo, tammar wallaby, and red-bellied pademellon. If you get your fill of this amazing experience, there are some fun, unqiue animals to see as well: wombats, Tasmanian devils, spot-tailed quoll, yellow-bellied glider, dingo, long-nosed potoroo, koala, kookaburra, and more.

We had a super quick stop at Woolamai Beach to see the waves and spot surfers.

Next was a stop in the small town of Cowes to grab lunch. We grabbed a traditional Australian Lunch – meat pies. This delicious, economical lunch is available at the local bakery in all kinds of yummy flavors. We particularly enjoyed the kangaroo one. Then we ran in the grocery store to get some snacks for the road. The beach is nearby and you can take a peak if you have time. We didn’t as it was a very short stop.

They mentioned we’d stop at a fur seal colony, but we didn’t really. He did mention that they were out there, but in the distance where it was impossible to get a good view. We did however see kangaroo crossing the street! I love seeing these amazing Australian animals in the wild!

Next up was the main event – the Phillip Island Nature Parks Penguin Parade! The guide gives clear directions on where he is parking as it is a very popular, read crowded, activity. Head right down the boardwalk. If you want a seat in the stands you need to get there quickly. You must sit down the entire time. If it is full or you’d rather be able to move, you can stand at the railing to the right or left of the stand for equally amazing views. The penguins usually run like clockwork, but when we visited they came late and ended up coming to shore farther south so our viewing was cut short. However it was so fun to see little groups of these super tiny blue penguins come up at dusk. Then we’d go back along the boardwalks and hear the penguins that stayed in the burrows call out to the returning penguins. If you look carefully you can spot them. You are not to take pictures or shine light on the penguins as that disrupts them from finding their way. Of course people did anyway which made it hard to see them and made the penguins get shy and hide.

Great Ocean Road & 12 Apostles Day Trip

We opted to take this Small-Group Great Ocean Road Classic Day Tour from Melbourne to see the beautiful Great Ocean Road. I’m so glad we did! The trip is south of the city so be prepared for some driving. After a couple hours we stopped for a bathroom break, tea / coffee / muffins, then we began the beautiful, windy coastal road – The Great Ocean Road. Be prepared for stunning scenery at every turn.

stop for a bathroom break, tea coffee muffins

We made a short stop for lunch where we stuck with the traditional Australian meat pies. We also grabbed some ice cream from the nearby gelatto shop and walked back to the stop along the ocean.

Continuing on we made a stop to spot Koala’s in the wild! It was so thrilling. The koalas do like to hang out towards the top of the tall trees so a good camera or binoculars is essential in seeing them.

We strolled through a temperate rainforest at the Great Otway National Park. It kind of felt like we were going through Jurassic Park with the size of the tree ferns and huge trees.

Finally, we arrived at The Twelve Apostles were views of the dramatic limestone formations will impress. This stop has beautiful vistas, but is really crowded.

sunset at Loch Ard Gorge melbourne australia

Next we stopped at Gibsons Steps for another great view of the area in a much less crowded viewing. The sun was just setting and provided gorgeous views I don’t think I will ever forget. It was stunning!

kangaroo at sunset in melbourne australia

As we drove away the sunset became even more drammatic like a thick pink pillow over an expansive sky. It was the most remarkable thing I’ve ever seen and pictures just don’t do it justing. Then we spotted a group of kangaroos on our drive. It was pure magic!

We stopped to get gas and grab lunch at Colac. There aren’t a lot of places and the stop is very short. Pretty much you can get noodles, McDonald’s, or KFC. Everyone went for the noodles so we knew oru family of 8 would be slow to get food and therefore probably run late. We opted for KFC, and despite the employee assuring us the food would be ready in 5minutes, it wasn’t. We ended up running back and eating on the bus; I’m glad they allowed us to eat on the bus. If I did it again, I’d probably bring a sandwich or eat at McDonalds.

great ocean road coast melbourne australia

10 best things to do in melbourne

There are lots of other amazing things to do in Melbourne! If you have time to spare, you may want to add an extra day to see one of these fun spots:

Discover Melbourne’s history at the Old Melbourne Gaol, a fascinating site where notorious criminals were once imprisoned. Explore the cells and learn about the city’s criminal past.
Dive into culture and science at the Melbourne Museum. With engaging exhibits on everything from natural history to indigenous culture, it’s a perfect spot for curious minds.
Experience a piece of history on the Puffing Billy, an iconic steam train that takes you on a scenic journey through the lush Dandenong Ranges. It’s a delightful ride for all ages.
Explore the Immigration Museum, where you can learn about the diverse cultures that have shaped Melbourne and Australia. This museum provides a moving perspective on the immigrant experience.
Walk through Melbourne’s vibrant streets and laneways, adorned with stunning street art. From murals to graffiti, these hidden gems showcase the city’s artistic side.
Visit the Melbourne Zoo, home to a wide variety of animals from around the world. It’s not just a day of fun—support their conservation efforts while you’re there!
Shop local at the Queen Victoria Market, a bustling hub filled with fresh produce, artisanal goods, and delicious street food. Don’t miss the chance to grab some souvenirs.
Relax and unwind in the beautiful Royal Botanic Gardens. With expansive lawns, tranquil lakes, and stunning plant collections, it’s an ideal escape from the city buzz.
Check out the iconic Brighton Beach, famous for its colorful bathing boxes. These charming structures make for a perfect photo backdrop against the stunning coastline
Lace up your hiking boots and explore the Dandenong Ranges. With scenic trails and breathtaking views, it’s a great way to enjoy the natural beauty of the area.