If your looking for an easy day trip out of Melbourne, then why not check out the World Famous Penguin Parade on Phillip Island?!
I was lucky enough to spend the day with Autopia Tours, enjoying spectacular scenery and the opportunity to observe and interact with a wide array of native Australian wildife!
We headed out of Melbourne around lunchtime, down the coast to the Maru wildlife sanctuary. There we were able to cuddle baby wombats, hand feed kangaroos and wallabies, view Tasmanian Devils, Koalas, Dingos and plenty more! There are some fanastic photo opportunities, and its great to see the conservation efforts first hand.
Then it was time to cross over to Phillip Island, famous not only for the little penguins that come to shore every night, but also for the annual motorcycle grand prix race! (That always gets the guys interested!)
We spent some time visiting different parts of this gorgeous island, where the beaches are simply stunning (some of the best surf in the country!). Around sunset we headed down to the beach, to prepare for the penguin parade. There was time to experience the visitor centre to learn about these gorgeous animals, before the light faded, and the little penguins started to make their way up the beach. They come ashore every single evening, to nest in the sand dunes. Visitors aren’t able to touch or photograph the penguins, as they are wild and human interaction could seriously harm them. But its an amazing experience to view!
After a great pizza dinner, we headed back to Melbourne. A great day, and an easy trip if your looking for something to do around the city.
Visit Backpackers World Travel in Melbourne if you need any further advice or want to book one of these great trips!
Cheers, Bree 
Hi, mein name ist Juliane und ich arbeite seit ca. 4 Monaten fuer Backpackers World Travel als Reiseberater, ein Job der wahnsinnig viel Spass macht.
Meine grosstes Hobby ist Reisen und dabei die Welt erkunden. Mein Lieblingsort in Australien sind die Whitsunday Islands, eine Inselgruppe in mitten des Great Barrier Reefs. Bei Fragen rund ums Reisen in Australien, Neuseeland und Fiji steh ich euch gern zur Verfuegung.
Alice Springs and its surroundings is commonly known as the heart of Australia. Not only is it the very centre of this enormous and beautiful country, it is also one of the most spectacular places in this country. From the impressive red rock Uluru to the stunning beauty of Kings Canyon. It is impressive! Apart from giving you great photo oportunities and an amazing experience, you also have great chances of learning LOTS from the guides about aboriginal culture, the creation of this land and the many different animals the region is lucky to accommodate. When you get the chance to go - TAKE IT!!!
Theresa Engberg
BWT, Brisbane
PUB in Alice, Northern Territory
In May-June this year I had the good fortune of spending two months living, working and playing in the NT whilst working in our branch in Alice Springs. As soon as I arrived I felt right at home with the small town vibe, country-style living, 4WD’s, utes, red dirt, dust, 31 degree heat and flies!
My passion for The Alice and surrounds continued to grow as I constantly found myself high atop a moutain range gazing out at the arid vastness of the semi-desert region with seemingly endless blue skies with some of the friendliest folk I’ve ever encountered.
Whilst I saw and did alot in two months, the highlight would undoubtedly be the weekend spent hiking Mount Zeil, the highest mountain in the NT and the highest point west of the Great Dividing Range. In a hired 4WD from a local operator we ventured north west of Alice along the infamous Tanami Track. Cooking equipment and a borrowed swag were easy to come by when the expedition party consists of four tour guides, two ex guides and myself (aka the blow-in!) The night was spent bush camping under the stars in the Aussie outback. After a solid nine hours hiking with an hour’s reprieve for lunch, we had successfully scaled Zeil, hiking an estimated 18-21 k’s!
What a wonderful experience living in The Alice - a remote, rugged outpost that is the heart of Central Australia!
Julie Salway
BWT, Cairns QLD
