Top 15 Wildlife Trips

1.Penguin Parade, & Wildlife Encounters Eco Tour from Melbourne

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3,774 reviews · from $118Our pick

Join Go West Tours for a full-day trip from Melbourne to Phillip Island. You’ll see Brighton’s bathing boxes, feed kangaroos at Moonlit Sanctuary, visit the Nobbies, and watch little penguins come ashore after sunset. Guides such as Cloe, Jools, Aleks, and Graeme add plenty of local color.

“Our tour guide Cloe was excellent. Very nice tour would highly recommend it for amazing experience.!”

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2.Phillip Island Penguins & Wildlife Day Tour from Melbourne

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 867 reviews · from $111

Travel from Melbourne with a friendly guide such as Michael, Bluey, David, or Reuben to meet Australian wildlife at Moonlit Sanctuary, walk the Nobbies, visit Cape Woolamai, and watch little penguins return from the sea. Expect a 12 to 14 hour day, cool evening winds, and no photography at the parade.

“While a long day, the ti.me passed quickly with relevant and amusing chatter from David. Seeing the birds and animals in their natural habitat was such a treat. I couldn't believe how the wallabies just stood and watched us go by. And the penguins AWESOME. Food was ok. Bring snacks instead of standing in line in the busy times.”

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3.Phillip Island: Penguins and Wildlife Full-Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 642 reviews · 10 hours · from $109

Travel from central Melbourne to Phillip Island by air-conditioned bus, stopping at the Koala Conservation Reserve, The Nobbies, Cowes, and Woolamai Beach before the evening Penguin Parade. English commentary and audio translations are included, with about two hours of road travel each way.

“Was a good trip. A lot of time to spend on own at each place.”

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4.Puffing Billy Steam Train & Wildlife Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 640 reviews · 8 hours · from $140

Ride the historic Puffing Billy from Belgrave to Lakeside, with open-sided carriages, rainforest views, and the famous leg-dangling tradition. Then explore Healesville Sanctuary, home to koalas, kangaroos, and birds of prey. Guides such as Gary, Stuart, Anthony, and Gina keep the 8-hour day moving.

“Fabulous day! Worth noting to wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty for the steam train as the ash gets all over you. Also definitely bring sunglasses! Great protecting your eyes from the ash. Lily was our guide and she was so so lovely and friendly”

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5.Puffing Billy Train & Penguin Wildlife Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 605 reviews · 12 hours · from $145

Spend 12 hours with an English-speaking Explore Australia guide such as Alan, Gina, José, or Stuart. Ride Puffing Billy through the Dandenong Ranges, visit The Nobbies, and watch little penguins come ashore at Phillip Island. General Penguin Parade entry is included, with a Penguin Plus upgrade available.

“Cate was very knowledgeable about the animals we saw. She was very helpful and super nice.”

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6.Penguins and Wildlife Nature Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 380 reviews · 12 hours · from $105

Spend 12 hours visiting Moonlit Sanctuary, The Nobbies, and Phillip Island from Melbourne. Your English-speaking guide, such as Gary, Gina, LeeLee, or Alan, handles the driving and local commentary. Feed wallabies for a small fee, then watch little penguins return to shore at sunset.

“Everything was excellent, we loved our tour and our guide. Can absolutely recommend it to everyone”

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7.Dunedin: Wildlife and Penguin Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 239 reviews · 1h 30m · from $44

Visit The OPERA’s private Otago Peninsula reserve with a live English-speaking guide such as Emma or Eden. You’ll watch a conservation film, visit the penguin rehabilitation centre when birds are present, then walk about 2 km through habitat where yellow-eyed penguins, little penguins, seals, sea lions, and seabirds may appear.

“The penguins came right up to us in the trenches, as interested in us as we were in them. The guide had never seen them do that before either so was just as excited as the group. Got to see fur seals, and all types of penguins out on the peninsula also!”

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8.1 day Puffing Billy Steam Train and Wildlife Tour from Melbourne

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 211 reviews · from $157

Leave Melbourne at 9:00 am for Grants Picnic Ground, a one-hour Puffing Billy steam-train ride, Lakeside Visitor Centre, and Healesville Sanctuary. Expect a small-group day advertised for up to 21 people, with guides such as Gerry, Andy, Mark, and Margaret sharing local stories along the way.

“It was a very enjoyable tour. We first spent our time in Healesville Santuary. What I liked about the place is that animals are living in enclosures which are similar to their natural habitat. The Puffing Billy is one for the books!”

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9.Parrot World Immersive Wildlife Park Entry Ticket next to Paris

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 202 reviews · 2 to 3 hours (approx.) · from $24

Spend two to three hours following the Amazonia and Patagonia treks at Parrot World, a self-guided wildlife park near Paris. You’ll see around 80 South American species among palms, banana trees, and Araucaria, with keeper learning sessions, a children’s playground, restaurants, picnic space, and free parking.

“Is nice but I catch bad weather,was wind and rain is good to going there in the summer period ,but was nice experience I see something new”

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10.Albatross, seals, and sea birds-Wildlife Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 189 reviews · from $105

Join Rachel on a small-group wildlife cruise from Port Chalmers, or Portobello for a longer outing. The custom-built Sootychaser has a heated cabin, open deck, binoculars, and identification sheets. Expect harbor history, sea birds, fur seals, possible penguins, dolphins, and royal albatross.

“The captain- Rachael, was very friendly and knowledgeable. Even though the seas were a bit bumpy, she tried very hard to identify the wildlife while trying to make it as comfortable for the passengers as she could, while we bounced around”

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11.Full-Day Penguins and Wildlife Nature Experience from Melbourne

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 150 reviews · from $114

Spend a full day with Australian wildlife and coastal scenery. Feed kangaroos and wallabies at Moonlit Sanctuary, visit Cape Woolamai, Cowes, and the Nobbies, then watch Phillip Island’s little penguins return after sunset. Small groups, central Melbourne pickup, and guides such as Brooke, Ryan, and Stuart.

“We really enjoyed this tour and our driver very much, and highly recommend it. In the Moonlit preserve you see (and can feed) animals up close. The Phillip Island and the penguins coming out of the ocean in the dark was magical. Bring a warmer jacket for the evening.”

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12.Dunedin Wildlife Cruise-Albatross, seals and harbour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 115 reviews · from $105

Join Rachel of Port To Port Cruises for a 90 to 120 minute wildlife cruise on Otago Harbour. From Port Chalmers or Portobello, you’ll look for albatross, seals, sea lions, penguins, shags, dolphins, and other sea birds, with binoculars, warm jackets, and live commentary provided.

“The arrangement via viator was well organized. Rachel, the captain, was on time and very personable and gave a great tour. She also provided us with a great photo sheet with all the possible birds and animals that could be observed in the area and we were able to check off quite a few of them seeing them first hand. We really appreciated the attention to detail by Rachel who contacted us and provided us better planning options for us to meet her at a better location which saved us considerable time and money.”

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13.Everglades Birding, Dolphin and Wildlife Boat Tour (2 hours)

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 99 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $119

Join Captain Don, Daniel, Glenn, or another Florida Master Naturalist guide for a quiet two-hour skiff ride through Everglades National Park’s 10,000 Islands. Expect close views of mangroves, birds, dolphins, and shell islands in a group of no more than six. Bring water, sun protection, and binoculars.

“Our guide was very knowledgeable. He was able to identify and tell us about every species of bird we came upon. He piloted us expertly through the shallow waters of the 10,000 islands area of the Everglades Park. On the way out, we encountered a line dolphin who was in the mood to play. He surfed in our wake for a bit, and then he jumped out and twisted, splashing the captain on purpose. It was hilarious... he did it several times before turning back. Later, we spotted a fairly large flock of white pelicans. They were huge and flew very gracefully. It was beautiful and peaceful. On the way…”

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14.Phillip Island Penguin Parade, Wildlife and Beach Boxes Bus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 89 reviews · from $111

Spend about 12 hours exploring Victoria’s coast and wildlife with a local driver-guide. Visit Brighton Beach, Moonlit Sanctuary, the Nobbies, and Phillip Island’s famous penguin parade. Pickup, transport, admission fees, and Melbourne CBD drop-off are included.

“The Brighton beach houses were nice and our Kaylem gave us some historical facts which made them more interesting. Moonlit sanctuary was not so great. The Bobbie’s and penguins were amazing. Overall very pleased . The bus did not have working air conditioning and it was very hot. The driver did everything he could but. I don’t think it speaks well for the company.”

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15.Monteverde Wildlife Walk & Hummingbird Encounter

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 52 reviews · from $45

Walk Monteverde’s cloud forest for 2 to 2.5 hours with guides such as George or Roy, using a telescope to find birds, mammals, orchids, mosses, and ferns. Finish at the Hummingbird Sanctuary, where dozens of species gather close to the feeders.

“George is incredibly knowledgeable, patient and kind. We saw a quetzal, many other birds, and a bat, all while learning so much information about the environment and animals. This was a highlight of our trip! He went over and above and even let us take his SUV for a slight medical emergency for a child. Book with George- you will not regret it!”

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