Online bookings for Optional Tours are now closed. You can still book for tours onsite at the Ecocity World Summit this week. Please visit the Tours Desk for more information.
We encourage you to arrive a little earlier or stay a little longer to discover what Melbourne and its spectacular surrounds offer you, whether you have a few hours or a few days to spend. A variety of tours are on offer within the city and in near by regional areas. Bookings can be made on when registering online, and we encourage you to book early as spaces are limited.
Note not all tours operate daily and full payment is required when booking. Terms and conditions of booking ar noted below as are tour inclusions. Where meals are not included, you will have the opportunity to purchase meals or refreshments at your own costs.
We recommend you wear casual, comfortable walking shoes and bring a jacket with you.
If you prefer to explore at your leisure, visit www.visitvictoria.com for a wide range of options of things you can do, see and experience in our city and regional areas. The website will help you plan your time whether your interests be in architecture, food, wine, shopping, the arts, sport or the natural beauty of our beaches, coastline or our mountains. It even offers some self guided itineraries for you to experience the very best on offer.
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Great Ocean Road | Philip Island Penguin Parade with Penguins Plus | Puffing Billy with Wildlife or Wineries | Morning Melbourne City Tour | Afternoon Melbourne Highlights | Mornington Peninsula Ultimate Tour | Terms & Conditions
Great Ocean Road
Available: Sunday 9 – Tuesday 11, Saturday 15 – Monday 17 July
Departing: between 0700-0800hrs (exact time will be advised to confirmed participants closer to the date)
Returning: between 1930-2000hrs
Pick up/drop off point: Transfers will depart from a CBD location. Further details will be advised to participants closer to the date.
Cost per person: Adult: $160 inc GST / Child: $80 inc GST
Tour includes: Transport
An amazing coastline to travel and stunningly breath-taking, the Great Ocean Road is a photographer’s delight and it consistently features in the Top 10 of world’s greatest scenic coastal drives. A day tour that will impress with a day of visual wonderment and one of the best coastal drives. The day tour travels along iconic Great Ocean Road taking in the spectacular coastal views of long sandy beaches, rolling surf, precipitous coastal cliffs and river inlets. Travel through popular resort towns Anglesea, Lorne, Wye River, Apollo Bay and Port Campbell. Tour stops include Twelve Apostles boardwalk, Loch Ard Gorge and Island Arch. A refreshment stop is made at Port Campbell before heading inland back to Melbourne.
Philip Island Penguin Parade with Penguins Plus
Available: Sunday 9 – Tuesday 11, Saturday 15 – Monday 17 July
Departing: between 1200-1300hrs (exact time will be advised to confirmed participants closer to the date)
Returning: approximately 2300hrs
Pick up/drop off point: Transfers will depart from a CBD location. Further details will be advised to participants closer to the date.
Cost per person: Adult: $156 inc GST / Child: $78 inc GST
Tour includes: Transport, Koala Conservation Centre entry and Penguin Parade entry
Phillip Island is a treasure trove of Australian wildlife; seals, koalas, kangaroos, wallabies, birdlife and penguins! Visit Churchill Island where you can explore this working farm or simply enjoy ocean views from the cafe. At Koala Conservation Centre, look for koalas in their natural habitat and before sunset, we head to the Penguin Parade where you can wander through the “Penguin Experience” exhibit to learn more about them. Walk out to Summerland Beach and take your seat for the Penguin Parade with premium viewing area for best views of the penguins’ arrival.
Puffing Billy with Wildlife or Wineries
Available: Sunday 9, Monday 10, Sunday 16 & Monday 17 July
Departing: between 0700-0800hrs (exact time will be advised to confirmed participants closer to the date)
Returning: 1745hrs
Pick up/drop off point: Transfers will depart from a CBD location. Further details will be advised to participants closer to the date.
Cost per person: Adult: $194 inc GST / Child: $97 inc GST
Tour includes: Transport, Puffing Billy steam train ride and lunch including a glass of wine
From the charm of the Blue Dandenongs and Puffing Billy steam train, tour the picturesque Yarra Valley wine region. Enjoy a delicious, hearty spit roast lunch accompanied by a glass of wine at Fergusson’s Winery. For a taste of something sweet, visit the ever so popular and relatively new Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery. Finally, spend time at Healesville Sanctuary, home to over 200 species of native animals, or alternatively spend the remainder of the day in Yarra Valley sampling local produce and of course, wine!
Morning Melbourne City Tour
Available: Sunday 9 – Tuesday 11, Saturday 15 – Monday 17 July
Departing: 0810hrs
Returning: 1200hrs
Pick up/drop off point: Transfers will depart from a CBD location. Further details will be advised to participants closer to the date.
Cost per person: Adult: $62 inc GST / Child: $31 inc GST
Tour includes: Guided tour
The morning Melbourne tour is a great introduction to our beautiful city. It travels just north of the city to tour through Carlton ‘Little Italy’ with its plethora of restaurants and boutique shops. Experience some of the exquisite architecture of Melbourne University and Royal Exhibition Building before making a brief photo stop at St Patrick’s Cathedral. Spend time at Fitzroy Gardens, walk through some of Melbourne’s best arcades and laneways with a guided tour and the chance to enjoy the atmosphere and have a coffee break (own expense).
*Tour also includes visit to the Shrine of Remembrance on Monday and Queen Victoria Market on Tuesday, Saturday & Sunday
Afternoon Melbourne Highlights
Available: Sunday 9, Tuesday 11, Saturday 15 & Sunday 16 July
Departing: 1320hrs
Returning: 1730hrs
Pick up/drop off point: Transfers will depart from a CBD location. Further details will be advised to participants closer to the date.
Cost per person: Adult: $62 inc GST / Child: $31 inc GST
Tour includes: Guided tour
A half day afternoon tour of the highlights of Melbourne that includes a visit to the Royal Botanic Gardens, tour through the relatively new Docklands waterfront development and make our way over the Bolte Bridge to travel along the bayside suburbs of Port Melbourne, St Kilda, Elwood and Brighton. A refreshment stop (at own expense) in trendy Acland Street in St Kilda and a photo stop at Brighton Beach bathing boxes are a real highlight!
Mornington Peninsula Ultimate Tour
Available: Monday 10, Saturday 15 & Monday 17 July
Departing: between 0715-0730hrs (exact time will be advised to confirmed participants closer to the date)
Returning: 1800hrs
Pick up/drop off point: 570 Flinders Street (near the corner of Spencer and Flinders Streets)
Cost per person: Adult: $142 inc GST / Child: $100 inc GST
Tour includes: Transport and lunch
Only an hour from Melbourne, the Peninsula offers everything from breath-taking beaches and historical National Parks to vineyards and hot springs. Travel to the tip of the Peninsula to visit the seaside town of Portsea, with its famous coloured bathing boxes, and Point Nepean, with its remarkable military history and spectacular views of Bass Strait. Enjoy a traditional lunch at the Pig & Whistle winery and enjoy some wine tasting. Visit Mornington Peninsula Chocolates.
- All pricing is in Australian Dollars and inclusive of Goods and Services Tax (GST).
- Bookings should be made by completing the online registration form.
- All tickets must be paid in advance to be considered confirmed.
- Unless otherwise advised, tours do not include catering
- Please note the daily tours offered are operated commercially and are not exclusive to ECOCITY 2017 participants.
- Children’s tickets are available for ages 4-14 years of age. Children under 4 years of age are seated on their parents lap. If a seat is required, the child’s fare will be charged.
- The below cancellation policy applies to Optional Tours:
- Cancellations prior to 7 days before the tour: refund of 75% of the fee
- Cancellations within 7-2 days of the tour: refund of 50% of the fee
- Cancellations within 48 hours of the tour or no-shows on the day: no refund offered
- Tour timings, itineraries and routes are subject to change. Daily traffic conditions may impact some tours which would require an amendment to routes and timing.
