Melbourne City Highlights

Once you have arrived in Melbourne, check in to your accommodation, centrally located close to Queen Victoria Market and Melbourne Central.

With the rest of the day free, you might like to wander the city's laneways in search of street art and coffee, or take a stroll along the Yarra River at Southbank.

Regularly named among the world's most liveable cities, Melbourne blends its gold rush-era heritage with a lively contemporary scene.

This morning, make your own way to the meeting point at the corner of Flinders and Market Street, next to the Immigration Museum, where you join your guide for a full day of discovery aboard an air-conditioned touring vehicle.

The day begins at Parliament Hill, taking in the Treasury Building, the House of Parliament and the Windsor Hotel, before travelling along Collins Street's Paris End to see the Golden Mile as it was laid out during the 1850s gold rush boom.

From here, stop at Queen Victoria Market, Australia's largest open-air market and home to the city's famous fish market and delicatessen stalls, before continuing to Lygon Street, the heart of Melbourne's Italian community and coffee culture.

Next comes the Royal Exhibition Building, a UNESCO World Heritage Site set within the Carlton Gardens, followed by Melbourne's sports precinct to learn about the city's stadiums and the history of Australian Rules Football. The tour also takes in St Patrick's Cathedral, built from bluestone and sandstone as a fine example of Gothic-revival architecture.

The afternoon continues at Fitzroy Gardens, home to Cook's Cottage and the Conservatory, before Federation Square, with its modern architecture alongside Flinders Street Station and St Paul's Cathedral.

You will also visit the Shrine of Remembrance, Victoria's national war memorial built to honour those who served in the First World War and now a memorial to all Australians who have served in global conflicts, where you can walk to the top for views across the city.

The tour finishes at Melbourne's Arts Precinct, one of the city's great cultural destinations, encompassing the National Gallery of Victoria, the Victorian College of the Arts and Hamer Hall.

Throughout the day, an informative historic photograph presentation is available via QR code, along with complimentary onboard Wi-Fi.

This afternoon, you are collected by your guide for a small-group tour and begin the drive to Moonlit Sanctuary Conservation Park, where you can get up close to native Australian animals including kangaroos, wombats and echidnas.

From here, the tour continues to Phillip Island, stopping at Woolamai Surf Beach where conditions allow to watch the surfers, before heading to the island's dramatic west coast. At the Nobbies, you can stroll the boardwalk over crashing waves and keep an eye out for fur seals and penguin nesting sites.

The day builds to Phillip Island's Penguin Parade, beginning with time to browse the shops and grab a coffee at the Visitor Centre before making your way along the boardwalk to the viewing platform.

As dusk falls, little penguins waddle ashore in their hundreds and make their way to their burrows - one of Australia's most memorable wildlife encounters. Those wanting a closer view can upgrade at an additional cost to the Penguins Plus platform, an underground viewing window, or a small-group ranger-guided tour with binoculars included.

Your guide then returns you to your Melbourne accommodation.

Please note: Warm and waterproof clothing is recommended in all seasons. Tour timings vary by season, with start times between 1:00 pm and 2:00 pm and return between 8:30 pm and 11:30 pm.

Today is yours to explore Melbourne further. You might like to visit the Royal Botanic Gardens, or head to St Kilda to enjoy its beach, bars and restaurants.

This morning, check out of your accommodation ahead of your departure, marking the end of your Melbourne short break.