Fantastic day with Bill (he's hilarious). It was great feeding the Wallabys and Kangaroos walking around at Moonlit Sanctuary. Merrick's for lunch was a treat. The fries and salad were delicious. The lamb was tough but every loved the chicken (like schnitzel) and hamburgers. The Beach Boxes at Brighton Beach were a sight to see. Very good tour.
About Activity
What's Included
Includes
- Transportation via private vehicle
- Bottled water
- Alcoholic Beverages
- Wine tasting
- Coffee and/or Tea
- Lunch with a glass of local wine
- Hotel/port pickup and drop-off
Excludes
- Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)
- Gratuities
- Koala Encounters are at scheduled times at Moonlit Sanctuary, an additional $AUD 30 Paid on the Day
Departure & Return
Departure Point
- Pick up is 9-915am from Boom Gates at the end off the Pier with the volunteers. Please Note. 4 guests required for this tour to proceed. This is a per seat rate so any children are at adult rate. Please advise age of children so we can accommodate any seating arrangements (booster seat etc.)
Itinerary
Feeding friendly Kangaroos, meet Koalas and other Australian Wildlife with the supervision of a professional Ranger. Moonlit Sanctuary take animal welfare very seriously and are dedicated to help save endangered wildlife and initiate breeding programs.
Visit the beach to see bathing boxes
2 course lunch with a glass of wine
Rising above the Mornington Peninsula, Arthurs Seat State Park is a prominent feature in the landscape of Port Philip Bay. The 314-metre summit provides spectacular views which, on a clear day, can stretch as far as the Melbourne city skyline, the You Yangs and Mount Macedon.
Language Offered
Additional Info
Cancellation Policy
Reviews
Very knowledgeable experienced guide. A variety of activities. Was able to bring us up to the boat on the return.
This experience moved along at a perfect pace. Bill was our tour guide; very knowledgeable. Loved the moonlit sanctuary and the Koala experience. Lunch and wine tasting was fabulous. Great shops at the Merricks general store. Loved the bathing boxes at the Dendy street beach. This was a wonderful excursion. Highly recommend.
Tour guide Bill was awesome throughout the day in making required schedules, keeping everyone entertained and informed, while doing so in a van that seriously needs a suspension improvement.
The day was full of Melbourne history & adventure. Bill, our guide, was absolutely fabulous, funny and knowledgeable. Besides seeing all the animals, we also enjoyed a delicious lunch at the winery. A full enjoyable experience.
Bill was very knowledgeable and this was an interesting ship excursion. We enjoyed our day and trip.
We thoroughly enjoyed the trip. Nikki was a great guide. I only wish we'd had more time to spend with the animals. That was the highlight of the trip, but where were felt most rushed. I'd have preferred to skip the bathing boxes and/or the statues to spend more time at the sanctuary. I also believe each paying customer should receive a container of animal food vs couples sharing. We had a good lunch, however options were limited. There were minimal options for those who don't drink wine. While the excursion was good, its overpriced.
This was an excellent tour. Great for close encounters with cangaroos, wallabies, and coalas. The visit to the wine country and the wine tasting at local wineries was very well organized. Lunch was delicious, and our guide Nicci was very knowledgeable about the region and wines. It is worth it. It should be done if you are in Melbourne.
An awesome day! We loved the Moonlit Sanctuary, and Merrick’s General Store was not your typical general store at all! A fabulous restaurant and wine shop with one of the best meals and wine tastings we had during our trip! The beach houses were very colorful and fun too. Truly the highlight of the day however was the Koala Encounter. It’s $30 extra Australian dollars and only about 5 minutes but worth every precious moment! You don’t actually get to hold the koala but you can pet it and talk to the wildlife ranger about it. I learned all about the 12 year old female named Cyclops and will treasure my experience forever!
We had a good time during our tour. Lunch was fabulous at Merrick’s General Store! Wish we could have made one more stop since we had time. Also, we were so hot on the bus. The air conditioning must not have been working. Bill was a good tour guide and shared lots of interesting information.
Had a great tour and tour guide. Very informational and fun. Restaurant was great as well. Saw alot of Melbourne and have great pictures x̌x̌x̌xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxzxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxzxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Our small-group day tour from Melbourne's cruise port was fantastic! With only 10 people, it felt intimate and personalized, allowing us to make the most of every stop. The highlight was our visit to Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park, where we had up-close encounters with Australia's native wildlife. Being able to interact with wallabies, kangaroos, and koalas was magical - truly a bucket-list experience that exceeded our expectations. Our guide Nicci was exceptional - punctual, friendly, and incredibly knowledgeable, especially about the local wine region. Her expertise really enhanced our experience. At Merricks General Store, we enjoyed a very high quality restaurant-style lunch paired with local wines. The wine tasting was informative yet relaxed, perfect for both wine enthusiasts and casual sippers. The tour's itinerary was well-balanced, including stops at the impressive Pt. Leo Estate and the iconic Brighton Bathing Boxes. These colorful beach boxes provided perfect photo opportunities and a glimpse into Melbourne's beach culture. This tour is ideal for cruise ship passengers wanting to experience wildlife, wine, and coastal highlights in one day. The timing was well-planned, ensuring a stress-free return to our ship. Highly recommended for couples and small groups looking for a premium tour experience.
It was a great day with a variety of activities. Animals, views & wine all in one day. Our guide was entertaining and fun. Lunch was very good.
If you want to actually touch a Koala or Kangaroo this is the tour for you . Feed them, touch them! Great place for lunch.
Nicky was a wonderful guide! We had a visit that had a balance of information and humor. She cared about her guests and it showed. The lunch and wine tasting was superb.
Nicci was a great tour guide. She drove us around and provided interesting narrative along the way. Moonlit Wildlife Sanctuary was a fun place to see koalas, kangaroos and wallabies. Lunch and wine tasting at Merricks General Store was delightful. I would highly recommend this tour for cruise passengers.
Nikki was so informative. She knew Australia and made our trip enjoyable and informative. She was native to this land and one could tell.
Outstanding experience with Epicurean Travel! Bill is a phenomenal and entertaining tour guide who has accommodated us at the end of the tour. The Kangaroo sanctuary is a must visit place in Melbourne and we had a great lunch and wine tasting experience as well. Highly recommend this tour!
This was an excellent shore excursion. A great alternative to booking with cruise ship. Mickey was delightful, and an awesome guide. We enjoyed our day!
Great excursion! Wildlife sanctuary was beautiful. Lots of interaction with the animals. Lunch was superb
I particularly enjoyed the Koala interaction. The guide was informative. The lunch selection was excellent and delicious as well
This was a delightful excursion - we went to the Moonlit Animal Sanctuary - a must see! There were kangaroos and wallabies all over the place and the staff give you food to feed them so they'll definitely come right up to you. We paid extra for the koala encounter - well worth it to get to pet a koala and pose for selfies. The lunch and wine tasting was first rate. Our guide ended the tour with a brief visit to see the Brighton Beach Boxes.
This is a topnotch tour. The tour guide/owner Nicki was fabulous. Very knowledgeable and accommodating. The Koala encounter and Kangaroo feedings were highlights of our trip. We especially loved our lunch and wine tasting. Best meal of the trip!
Wonderful small group experience. Easy to find at the pier. Wonderful leisurely but focused pace. Amazing lunch! Fun and informative guide, Billy! Coordinated with cruise ship schedules so book direct and skip the cruise line chaos.
While feeding the kangaroos and seeing the koalas was a highlight, the lunch at the winery was delightful.
Koala experience. Meeting with the kangaroos and wallabies. Our guide was excellent, ran out of time to visit the beach bungalows (due to traffic). Expected more at the wine location (thought there would be actual tasting, not just a glass with lunch). Food was amazing.
Loved the wildlife sanctuary. Got to feed and pet the wallabies. Recommend you spend extra for the koala experience. Lunch included a wine tasting - outstanding. Made it back to the ship with time to spare.
We had a great time with Bill. Moonlit Sanctuary was special. The lunch was excellent and we enjoyed seeing the countryside.
Monday through Friday 9 am to 7 pm EST
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