How long is the tour and what time does it return to Melbourne?

The tour runs approximately 14 hours, departing in the morning and returning to Melbourne late evening (around 9:30pm).

Where is the meeting point in Melbourne?

The itinerary lists Old Melbourne Gaol (325 Russell Street) as the meeting point in Melbourne—final details are provided when your booking is confirmed.

Are swimsuits and towels provided at the hot springs?

Towels and lockers are typically available at Mornington Peninsula Hot Springs, but bringing your own quick-dry towel is recommended.

Can I touch or hold koalas at Maru Wildlife Park?

Interactions depend on park rules and animal welfare; keepers will advise what close encounters are permitted that day.

Is the Penguin Parade suitable for children?

Yes—children love the Little Penguins, but expect dim light and quiet—strollers may be restricted on boardwalks, so check accessibility in advance.

Lunch is usually at a winery cellar door or café; check your booking details and notify Hyundai Travel of any dietary requirements ahead of time.

Melbourne Day Trip: Mornington Peninsula Hot Springs, Winery Tastings & Phillip Island Penguin Parade

This full-day excursion from Melbourne takes you from city streets to coastal wind and warm mineral water: Mornington Peninsula Hot Springs, local wineries, Maru Wildlife Park, and the famous Phillip Island Penguin Parade are strung into a single, thoroughly Australian day. The tour meets in Melbourne (Old Melbourne Gaol, 325 Russell Street) and runs roughly 14 hours, returning late evening.

Start at Mornington Peninsula Hot Springs, where geothermally heated mineral pools sit among boardwalks and lawn. Spend about three hours rotating through private baths and communal plunge pools, moving from warmer thermal pools to cooler rock-fed pools; the pools sit beside pockets of coastal heath and stands of eucalyptus that scent the air.

After immersion, the tour slips inland to a cellar door. Regional wineries around the peninsula pour pinot noir, chardonnay and cool-climate blends—tastings are guided and give a quick lesson in soil, slope and wind that shape these wines.

Midday brings Maru Wildlife Park, a hands-on encounter with kangaroos, koalas and reptiles that rewards quiet curiosity. Park keepers explain behaviors and conservation needs, and photo opportunities are close but respectful. As the light shifts, coaches cross to Phillip Island. The island’s coastline—beach, bluff and reef—frames the evening: at dusk, Little Penguins return from the Bass Strait and waddle ashore in the globally renowned Penguin Parade. Rangers manage viewing platforms to minimize disturbance; the spectacle is intimate because the birds are tiny, fearless and utterly themselves.

Why book this with Hyundai Travel? The itinerary links three distinct Victoria experiences—thermal bathing, viticulture and wildlife—without feeling rushed. Small-group limits (maximum 22) mean the guide can tailor pacing: longer at pools, more time at a favoured vineyard, or extra views of coastal points. The tour’s variety also makes it accessible to travelers who want both relaxation and wildlife in a single day.

Practical notes: bring swimwear, a towel, decent walking shoes and an insulated jacket for evening on Phillip Island. Expect standing and short walks rather than strenuous hiking. The experience sits on the traditional lands of the Bunurong (Boonwurrung) people; guides sometimes share local natural history and conservation notes. For visitors based in Melbourne this is an unbeatable, all-in-one sampler of Victoria’s coast, wildlife and wines.

Melbourne Day Trip: Mornington Peninsula Hot Springs, Winery Tastings & Phillip Island Penguin Parade

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