Closest to the animals of Victoria
Between sculpted cliffs and eucalyptus forests, a family road trip to encounter Australian endemic wildlife
Duration
20 days
Ideal seasons
Jan, Feb, Mar, Oct, Nov, Dec
Style
Self-drive tour
Comfort
classique
Travelers
Family, Couple, senior
The spirit of travel
This family-paced road trip explores the most beautiful faces of Victoria: the rock formations and rock art of the Grampians, the spectacular cliffs of the Twelve Apostles along the Great Ocean Road, and koalas nestled in the eucalyptus trees of Great Otway National Park. Then head to Phillip Island to witness the penguin parade at dusk, followed by Wilson Promontory, between wild beaches and marine wildlife. A flexible itinerary, designed to take time, as a family, to discover Australie's wildlife.
The stages of your journey
Highlights
Day-by-day itinerary
Start of your road trip!
You take the road west of Melbourne, towards the Grampians National Park. If you wish, you can make a detour through Sovereign Hill, in Ballarat, before continuing to Halls Gap. As you approach the town, the sandstone mountains of the Wonderland and Mount William ranges come into view.
The Grampians park is home to rock formations, sites of Aboriginal rock art and hiking trails suited to different levels. You will be able to discover the diversity of its fauna and flora.
Walking in the Grampians
Heading to the Great Ocean Road
You join the coast from Halls Gap to begin your discovery of the Great Ocean Road.
Along this road, the landscapes alternate between cliffs, rock columns, surf waves, tranquil bays, beaches and forests. You also travel through resort towns where you can stop at your own pace.
Tower Hill et les sites emblématiques de la Great Ocean Road
Stop at the ancient crater of Tower Hill, where you can observe emus and kangaroos. It's also an opportunity to learn more about how the Aboriginal people of the region perceive nature.
You continue towards Port Campbell to discover the 12 Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge and London Bridge, bordered by limestone cliffs. The late afternoon light offers a beautiful viewpoint of these formations.
If you wish, you can fly over the 12 Apostles by helicopter or take a kayaking trip to observe platypuses.
Forests and koalas of Great Otway National Park
The road leaves the ocean and crosses the rainforests of the Great Otway National Park. Keep your eyes open: you may be able to spot and photograph koalas in their natural habitat.
In the afternoon, you participate in a one-hour guided walk in a small group at Wildlife Wonders. Part of the proceeds support conservation efforts, including habitat restoration and care for injured animals.
Ferry crossing to Phillip Island
Take the ferry at Queenscliff to cross Port Phillip Bay. Keep an eye out for dolphins that regularly accompany the ferry during the crossing !At Queenscliff, you board the ferry to cross Port Phillip Bay to Sorrento. Keep your eyes peeled: dolphins sometimes accompany the crossing.
You then head to Phillip Island, where you will stay for three nights. At sunset, you visit the Phillip Island Nature Park (included) to observe the penguins.
Phillip Island in Freedom
Make the most of your stay at Phillip Island by exploring the island at your own pace. At Rhyll, keep an eye out for koalas and seabirds. At dusk, you'll be able to see penguins returning to their nests on Summerland beach. Continue towards Seal Rocks, where a large colony of fur seals lives, then to the cliffs of Cape Woolami to observe puffins.
If you wish to explore further, you can visit French Island. Once a hunting ground for Aboriginal peoples, the island was discovered by French explorers in 1802.
On the way to the fabulous Wilson Promontory National Park
Phillip Island → Parc National de Wilson Promontory
You leave Phillip Island heading towards the Wilson Promontory National Park. Along the way, take a lunch break in the coastal town of Inverloch, then discover the art galleries, bookstores and cafés of the village of Fish Creek.
Wilson Promontory and its Marine Park
Today, you set off on a speedboat to discover the coastal landscapes of the Wilson Promontory National Park. The cruise takes you to South Point, the southernmost tip of mainland Australie, then into the waters of the Bass Strait, within Victoria's first marine national park. Keep your eyes open to observe wild marine life.
The rest of the day is free.
Day trip or hiking in the national park
Explore the Wilson Promontory National Park at your own pace. Depending on your preferences, follow the Lilly Pilly Gully trail through the eucalyptus forest, walk to Squeaky Beach or climb to the top of Mount Oberon to admire the view over Victoria.
At the end of the day, keep your eyes open: you might spot wombats and kangaroos.
Like locals at Lakes Entrance
Parc National de Wilson Promontory → Lakes Entrance
You head to Lakes Entrance, a coastal destination popular with Australian holidaymakers, where you will spend the next few days.
Along the way, stop for lunch in Yarram or have a picnic in Tarra Bulga National Park. At Metung, at the entrance to the lakes, take time to admire the expanses of water before heading to Lakes Entrance.
Having a good time
Make the most of your free days in Lakes Entrance according to your preferences: water sports, walks in national parks and reserves, discovering local markets or an excursion to Raymond Island to try to spot koalas.
Return to Melbourne
You resume your journey from Lakes Entrance to reach Melbourne, or continue your journey to your next destination.
Price per person
This trip can be tailored to your preferences
This itinerary provides an excellent foundation for discovery, but it can be fully customized. Our local advisors build each trip tailored to your budget, dates and preferences.
Not included
- International flights, domestic flights, air taxes
- Meals (except breakfasts as indicated)
- Cancellation fees for one-way journeys
- National park entrance fees
- GST Rate Change
- Supplements for public holidays and events
- Petrol, tolls and parking fees
- Tips and Personal Expenses
- Supplementary insurance for this trip
Included
- 15 nights in Australie with suitable accommodation
- SUV car rental with unlimited mileage
- Walk with naturalist guide at Wildlife Wonders
- Phillip Island Nature Park Entrance Ticket
- Boat trip to Wilson Promontory
- Queenscliff to Sorrento Ferry Crossing
- The GST (local tax)
- Customized itinerary on mobile application
- # Detailed travel documents in English Travel documents in detail
- English-speaking assistance during your stay
Practical Information
Registration is considered firm and final after payment of a deposit of 30% of the total price and acceptance of the specific terms of sale.
The balance must be paid no later than 45 days before the departure date.
See our specific terms of sale for full details.
In the event of cancellation by the traveller, the following fees apply:
- Plus de 60 jours avant le départ : 40 % du prix total (acompte retenu)
- Entre 60 et 30 jours avant le départ : 50 % du prix total
- Moins de 30 jours avant le départ : 100 % du prix total
We strongly recommend taking out cancellation insurance. See our specific terms of sale for full details.
The information below applies to travelers who are nationals of the European Economic Area (EEA), Switzerland, and Canada traveling to Australia for a tourist stay. Entry requirements may change, so we recommend verifying information with the official authorities before your departure.
Passport
To enter Australia, your passport must be valid for the entire duration of your stay. It is, however, strongly recommended that it remain valid for at least six months after your planned return date.
The document must be in good condition (no damaged, torn, or altered pages).
Electronic Visa (eVisitor or ETA)
Australia does not grant visa exemptions in the traditional sense. Nationals of the European Economic Area and Switzerland are eligible for the eVisitor visa (subclass 651), while Canadian nationals must apply for an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA, subclass 601). Both of these electronic authorizations are free or low-cost, electronically linked to the passport, and do not result in any stamp or visa label.
These authorizations permit tourist stays of up to 3 months per visit, with overall validity of 12 months from the date of issue. They may allow multiple entries during this period.
The application must be completed online before departure, via the official website of the Australian Department of Home Affairs or the Australian ETA application. Authorization is generally issued quickly, sometimes within minutes.
Authorities may request:
proof of an outbound ticket (return or onward flight),
proof of sufficient financial resources for the duration of your stay.
Declaration on Arrival
Before or upon arrival in Australia, travelers must complete an Incoming Passenger Card. This form provides customs and biosecurity services with:
personal and passport information,
flight and travel details,
customs declarations (food, plants, animals, medications, currency, etc.).
Australia enforces strict biosecurity rules: certain food items, plants, animal products, and wooden articles may be prohibited or subject to inspection. It is essential to declare any item that may be affected, as failure to do so can result in substantial fines.
Traveling with Children
Minors must hold their own valid passport as well as their own electronic authorization (eVisitor or ETA).
In certain European countries, when a minor travels without one of their parents, an exit authorization may be required according to the regulations of their country of residence.
Health
No vaccinations are mandatory to enter Australia for travelers from Europe or Canada. However, it is recommended that you ensure that routine vaccinations are up to date. Travel insurance covering medical expenses is strongly advised, as healthcare in Australia can be costly for non-residents.
Other Nationalities
Entry conditions may vary depending on nationality. Affected travelers should inquire with the Australian embassy or consulate in their country of residence.
To participate in our trips, it is strongly recommended to be covered for repatriation assistance and medical expenses abroad.
Your local agency encourages you to review the specific contract developed with our partner CHAPKA ASSURANCES and AXA ASSISTANCE.
To subscribe to insurance, learn about coverage and rates, follow the link below.
Choose the plan that best suits your needs:
Explorer'Multirisque
Explorer'Annulation
Explorer'Assistance
Explorer'Complémentaire Carte Bancaire
Specific to our trips, we strongly recommend subscribing to them.
If you choose to subscribe to one of these plans, the policy detailing all coverage and claims declaration procedures is available on the insurer's website.
Your local agency will be aware of it, but only the participant is responsible for complying with the claims declaration procedures. The participant must therefore keep this policy with them for the entire duration of their trip.
Chapka — Cap Explorer
Our insurance partnerTravel with peace of mind with our partner Chapka. Cancellation, repatriation, medical expenses, baggage… All the coverage for a worry-free trip.
Travel with peace of mind — I'll handle the insuranceFrequently asked questions
An electronic travel authorization (ETA or eVisitor) is mandatory and must be requested online before departure (approximately 20 AUD). The authorization is valid for 12 months and allows multiple entries, with a maximum stay of 3 months per visit. Your passport must remain valid for the entire duration of your stay. Before booking your trip, check with the embassy or consulate of your country for the specific conditions applicable to your nationality, as travel authorization requirements may vary depending on your country of origin.
Go to the My Trips section to find all your projects.
You can send a message to your host directly from the Tea Lounge.
For a tailor-made quality trip, budget between €270 and €430 per day per person, including accommodation, meals, internal transport and activities. International flights (€1,300-2,000 return) are additional. Distances require domestic flights and car rentals.
Your documents are accessible in the Documents tab of your trip.
Absolutely. We tailor every itinerary to match our travelers' profiles. For families, we prioritize relaxed paces, family-friendly accommodations, fun and educational activities, and comfortable private transfers. Our English-speaking local guides know how to captivate children with age-appropriate stories and anecdotes.
It's simple. You exchange with our local team to define your wishes, budget and dates. You receive a detailed itinerary proposal within 48 hours. You adjust every detail together until it's perfect. You confirm and travel with peace of mind. Your local agency remains available 7 days a week throughout your trip.
In case of emergency, contact your local agency immediately.
Payment is generally made in two installments.
Our agency is part of the Nomadays network, registered in France. You benefit from APST (Association Professionnelle de Solidarité du Tourisme) coverage that protects 100% of your funds. Secure payment, repatriation insurance included, and English-speaking assistance 24/7 on the ground throughout your stay.
Let's talk about your adventure — Victoria-Melbourne
Architect of Australia's Great Journeys, based in Sydney
Australia is lived through distances, light and contrasts. My role is to help travellers transform this vastness into a smooth, coherent and truly personal itinerary.
— Yann
