Aquatic and Coastal Experiences Victoria

The Great Ocean Road has 243km (151 miles) of driving starting just over one hour southwest of Melbourne. It’s one of Australia’s must-do experiences due to its coastal panoramas and amazing wildlife encounters. On the Great Ocean Road, discover waterfalls, limestone stacks, ancient shipwrecks, Aboriginal middens and a chance to spot a koala. Travel via the beachside communities of Torquay (the home of Bells Beach), Lorne and Apollo Bay through to the historic towns of Warrnambool and Port Fairy with their rich maritime pasts.

Highlights:

• Take a helicopter ride over the 12 Apostles
  
• Trek the Great Ocean Walk
  
• Take surf and standup paddle boarding lessons with Go Ride A Wave
  
• Follow the Historic Shipwreck Trail with 25 wrecks
  
• Stop at Kennett River to view koalas in the wild 

Renowned for its pinot noir and chardonnay, the maritime environment of the Mornington Peninsula, just 90 minutes south of Melbourne, influences everything from the delicious wine and food, to leisurely paddle boarding and snorkelling on the bay beaches, and walking through wild coastal environments overlooking the Southern Ocean. 

Highlights:

• Swim with dolphins in Port Phillip Bay
  
• Follow the Mornington Peninsula Wine Food Farmgate Trail
  
• Play a round of golf at National Golf Club
  
• Walk past the famous beach boxes on the Peninsula’s bay side beaches
  
• Relax in indoor and outdoor natural hot springs at Peninsula Hot Springs  

Wilsons Promontory is a 50,000 hectare wilderness path found 3.5 hours south east of Melbourne. It has mountains to hike, remote beaches to explore and animals to encounter. Squeaky Beach – so named for its sand so fine, it squeaks – is an easily accessible centrepiece of Wilsons Promontory. Find information at the park centre and stay overnight at Tidal River.

Highlights:

• See kangaroos, wallabies, emus and wombats on one of the many day walks in the national park
  
• Go on an overnight walk to Sealers Cove and Waterloo Bay
  
• Overnight in a Wilderness Retreat luxury tent and watch the wombats leaving their hiding spots to graze at dusk
  
• Swim at Norman Bay
• Join Wildlife Coast Cruises on their latest vessel, The Brianna Lee, with regular cruises along the coastline of Wilsons Promontory. Spot seals, birds and dolphins along with humpback whales in October and November.

Phillip Island is located 2 hours drive south of Melbourne. The island is known for its Penguin Parade, where penguins leave the ocean and return to the burrows every night at Summerland Beach.  Phillip Island also has the Koala Conservation Centre and plays host to the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix.

Highlights:

• Book the fast Wild Oceans Eco Boat tour to see the fur seals at Seal Rocks at Phillip Island
  
• Visit the new Penguin Plus Experience offering close-up viewing of these beautiful birds at ground level
  
• Come to face to face with Antarctic wildlife at the Nobbies. The new Antarctic Journey Centre is a joint venture with the WWF.
• Explore one of Phillip Islands many spectacular surf beaches