Conservation Park on Mornington Peninsula

Moonlit Sanctuary is a conservation park on the Mornington Peninsula and was established by Michael Johnson who was inspired by the British Naturalist Gerald Durrell.  Michael's concept was to develop a park where people could expierence the animals that roam Australia's bushland.

From humble beginnings the Park has now grown into a very popular tourist attraction on 25 acres with wetlands, bushland and more than 30 animal enclosures.

Tawny Frog Mouth

Wetlands early development

You can wander around the park and feed some of the animals and listen to a range of keeper talks. You can also book in for a range of animal experiences.

We take tours to visit the Park on the way to see Phillip Island Penguins and combining the two makes it an amazing day of wildlife experiences. We usually include a koala and dingo experience on our tours.

The koala experience is probably the most popular

The dingo experience is also great fun

The Park has a wide range of Australian animals including our favourite the Tasmanian Devil.

The Park has a cafe and is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can also book a night tour, sponsor an animal or be a keeper for a day.

Book a private tour with us

Close encounters with wildlife at Ballarat Wildlife Park

Set on 15 hectares the Ballarat Wildlife Park is a great place to visit and encounter Australian wildlife.

 With more than 80 kangaroos roaming the park the opportunity for a close encounter is excellent.

The kangaroo is probably one of Australia's most recognised wildlife and is also another marsupial that's popular with tourists.  There are over 60 species of kangaroos and their close relatives which include wallabies, wallaroos, tree-kangaroos and forest wallabies. The larger red kangaroo is found in arid regions and the eastern and western grey Kangaroos are found in great numbers across much of southern part of Australia.

The kangaroos were very friendly and totally unafraid of people as they wandered nearby.

The Park has a number of koalas and an opportunity to have your photo taken with a koala is a popular activity with visitors.  The koala is a tree-dwelling, herbivorous marsupial with thick fur making it one of the most popular Australian animals with visitors. They eat fibrous Eucalyptus leaves which are low in nutrition so they can sleep for up to 18 hours a day.

There is an interactive koala activity is on daily at 2.00 p.m.

There are a number of exhibits with Tasmanian Devils. These endangered animals (due to facial tumours) are one of our favourites. The Tassie Devil is the world's largest surviving carnivorous marsupial. They have a thick-set, squat build and their markings are unique.

An interactive exhibit with Tasmanian Devils and Spotted Quolls is scheduled each day at 3.30 p.m.

This wombat wandered out of its comfortable burrow so we could capture a great shot.   The wombat is the largest burrowing mammal in Australia. They look cute and cuddly and are very solidly built. The wombat is nocturnal coming out at night to graze. In winter months you can also see them grazing during the day.

There's an interactive wombat display at 2.30 daily. 

The Park also has a reptile house with a range of lizards, snakes and other reptiles on display. An interactive reptile presentation is held at 1.30 each day. 

The Park is open every day except Christmas Day and tickets reasonably priced.

You can book a private tour with Longhorn YOUnqiue Tours to Ballarat which includes the wildlife park. 

Eurobodella Regional Botanical Gardens

A short drive from Batemans Bay the Eurobodella Regional Botanical Gardens are a great way to spend a couple of hours. Entry is free and the Gardens are a wonderful combination of natural bushland and manicured gardens. The gardens are set up to allow wheelchair and pram access which makes it a great place for everyone to visit. 

You can enjoy a range of walks from easy to medium with the longest around 2 kilometres. There's a forest walk track which wanders through natural bushland and along the edge of a weir. 

Forest Track

A kangaroo in full flight

The weir

The Aboriginal Heritage Walk was interesting and educational. As an example the black wattle (bidhudhu) signalled  that the blackfish would be biting. Like many ancient cultures they used plants as medicine and food. and from what we've learnt about aboriginal culture and their love and care of country (the land) we think they have always been amazing environmentalists.

Black Wattle

Bird life was amazing: we heard lots and saw a range of the birds they mention are in the gardens. 

Kookaburra

We ended our visit enjoying a coffee at the cafe where this bird paid us a visit.

Tower Hill - inactive volcano

Tower Hill is an inactive volcano located south west of Melbourne a short distance from Warrnambool and Port Fairy.  The area was originally inhabited by the Koroitgundidj people who lived in the area of Tower Hill since before recorded history.

Tower Hill

More than 30,000 years ago violent explosions formed the shallow crater where the lake lies and further eruptions created the islands and cone shaped hills that now house the Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve.

Artefacts found in the volcanic ash prove the Koroitgundidj people lived there at the time of the explosion. After the explosion the fertile soils produced a diverse range of vegetation including Manna Gum, Blackwood, Black Wattle, Swamp Gum and Drooping Sheoak. The area was rich with birds and wildlife.

Emus

In 1802 French explorer Captain Baudin led the first confirmed sighting of Tower Hill by Europeans. Following European settlement much of the vegetation was cleared for farming and quarrying.  In 1892 Tower Hill became Victoria's first National Park but environmental damage still continued until it was made a Game Reserve in 1961.

The view painted in 1855 by Eugene von Guerard

In 1961 revegetation of the area began using an 1855 painting by Eugene von Guerard.  Much of the wetlands dry up during drought times but today the area is once again rich with bird life and wildlife making it a great place to visit and take nature walks.

Worn Gundidj Visitor Centre

The visitor centre is operated by Worn Gundidj which was founded in 1992 as a not for profit organisation to foster traditional art and nature based tourism. At the visitor centre you can enjoy the cultural displays and buy Authentic Aboriginal Products. 

The centre is open Monday to Friday 9.00 am - 5.00 pm and weekends and public holidays 10.00 am - 4.00 pm.

You can also do a self guided walks in Tower Hill or join a range of tours conducted by the traditional owners. 

Join us on a private 1, 2, 3 or 4  day Great Ocean Road tour to see this amazing area

Coonawarra Wine Region

The Coonawarra region is located about 375 kilometres south west of Adelaide close to the Victorian border.

It is renowned for producing world class red wines especially Cabernet Sauvignon and its secret is the magical marriage of rich red terra rossa soil, limestone, pure underground water and a long cool ripening season for the grapes.

Its a great wine area to visit as the wineries are all located close together basically along a 21 kilometre stretch of the main road.

29 wineries make up the region with 25 having cellar door sales. Whilst this is an area famous for its red wines a number of the wineries also produce white varieties  Patrick of Coonawarra also produces Applelation a very tasty apple cider.

Patrick of Coonawarra

 Hollick Wines

Where to eat

Hollick Wines is the only winery with a restaurant and 5  serve coffee and food.  Upstairs at Hollick is open Wednesday to Sunday for lunch and dinner on Saturday.

Pipers of Penola is an award winning restaurant located in the town of Penola on the southern end of the Coonawarra. Open Tuesday's to Saturday this restaurant is great if you enjoy a formal dinner and quality food.

Pipers of Penola

If you prefer a more relaxed feel  Fodder's changing menu includes wood fired pizza and other meals all using local and fresh produce. Open for lunch and dinner Thursday to Sunday Fodder is located in Coonawarra.

Fodder

Penola Station is another option serving modern international food. This restaurant is open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner in the summer and closed Tuesday during winter. 

Where to stay

There is a range of accommodation in Coonawarra or nearby in Penola and Mount Gambier which is about 30 minutes south. Our choices include:

Coonawarra Country Cottages  all tastefully decorated and furnished these 3 lovely cottages provide comfortable and charming self catering accommodation and 2 have the benefit of large gardens.

Must @ Coonawarra  with stylish and fresh apartments with modern appliances this property is located in Penola a short drive to the Coonwarra wineries.

Highbank Winery Accommodation  has a choice of accommodation including 2 romantic guest retreats - the Cottage and the Villa both have picturesque views of the vines.  

The Barn is located a short distance from Mount Gambier and set in beautiful gardens with an award winning steakhouse. With their award winning Steakhouse and a range of suites spread throughout the gardens its our  first choice when we're touring the area.  

The Barn

Other attractions

The Coonawarra Region is also close to a number of other tourist attractions including:

The Blue Lake Mount Gambier  is located in a volcanic crater. The colour of the water changes from grey to a vivid blue in November each year changing back to grey after March. Its a beautiful scenic spot and a great illustration of how fascinating nature can be.  Nearby are a number of other lakes called the crater lakes.

Blue Lake

Umpherston Sinkhole /Sunken Garden is located in the heart of Mount Gambier. Once a cave the sinkhole was created when the top of a chamber collapsed downwards. The topsoil on the floor of the cave creates a perfect environment for a sunken garden.

Umpherston Sinkhole

The Cave Gardens are a State Heritage Area and also located in the city of Mount Gambier. You can walk down into the caves and view the gardens from a suspended viewing platform. Each night there is a sound and light show which tells of Indigenous Dreamtime stories.

Cave Gardens

Bool Lagoon  is located a short distance to the north of Coonawarra and is visited by up to 150 species of birds many migrating from the Northern Hemisphere. UNESCO have designated the wetlands as a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention. 

Bool Lagoon

Heading further north towards Adelaide are the Naracoote Caves. Palaeontologists have been studying the fossils and bones found in the caves for over 30 years and now Naracoote Caves are recognised as one of the world's most important fossil sites. 

There are more than 26 caves in the National Park with a number are open to the public and others maintained for continuing scientific research.  Check tour times and pricing

Naracoote Caves

Wonambi Fossil Centre  

If you don't like to go underground The Wonambi Fossil Centre provides an opportunity to step back in time and discover what Naracoorte was like over 200,000 years ago. The Fossil Centre is a walk-through diorama with life-sized models of extinct animals in their ancient habitats.

Wonambi Fossil Centre

Why not come explore this area with us on a 3 day or 4 day private tour from Melbourne to Adelaide tour 

Phillip Island Nature Parks

Phillip Island Nature Parks was established to conserve the natural beauty and historic and archaeological history of Phillip Island. 

The Park is part of the UNESCO Western Port Biosphere Reserve with wetlands, woodlands, wildlife sanctuaries and coastal areas. The area is rich in bird life with significant populations of little penguins, shearwaters and hooded plovers and wildlife including koalas, swamp wallabies and Australian fur seals.

Swamp Wallaby

The Park Service manages a number of tourism attractions including the Penguin Parade, Koala Conservation Centre, the Nobbies and Churchill Island Heritage Farms.  The profits generated are used to invest in conservation, research, ecotourism, environmental and education initiatives within the Nature Parks. 

The most cost effective and best way to enjoy the range of activities of the Nature Park is to purchase a 3 Parks Pass as it allows you to attend the Penguin Parade, visit the Koala Conservation Centre and learn about Victoria's early farming history on Churchill Island Heritage Farm.

Penguin Parade

Most people are drawn to Phillip Island to see the iconic Penguin Parade where you can watch the little penguins make their way across the beach heading towards their nesting areas after spending their day hunting in the ocean.

This is a fascinating experience as you watch and wait in anticipation of the sun setting and the little penguins arriving. It often feels like they will never come and then it seems that a sole little penguin emerges from the sea. Maybe this is a scout as shortly others follow. Sometimes they stop and some will scurry back as if they are too frightened to leave the ocean but slowly crowds of them appear and wander into their nesting areas.

At one stage you could sit on the beach in the evening and the penguins would wander past quite close to you.  It was an amazing experience, but as crowds grew the need to protect the penguins and their habitat meant viewing platforms and walkways were constructed. 

Today there are a range of experiences that you can purchase including having a Park Ranger guide you to a private area to view the penguins on the beach (Ultimate Experience) or enjoying the penguins in the comfort of a Sky Box (VIP Experience) where you'll also have fantastic views across the beach and help the Ranger count the penguins as they return for the night. Another option is the Research Tour where a Ranger shows you how researchers collect data and you'll see the weigh bridge where penguins that cross are weighed. You'll also visit the Sky Box before seeing the Penguin Parade from front row seats at the Penguins Plus viewing area.

You can download a free Penguins App which provides interesting insights into the penguins, statistics on their return from the ocean, pictures and a game. 

Koala Conservation Centre

At the  Koala Conservation Centre you can wander along an elevated boardwalk and see these amazing furry mammals in their natural habitat. You can get fairly close and sometimes you may be lucky if one climbs down the trees and settles very close (like the one in this picture). 

You may also see  koalas with a joey (its baby) clinging to its mother. Rangers wander the board walks during the day providing you with an opportunity to ask questions about the koalas and their habitat.

The Visitor Centre is interactive and you can learn all about the koala and purchase gifts from the gift shop.

The Nobbies 

The Nobbies Centre showcases Australian fur seals and the marine life of the Southern Oceans.  From the centre and board walks you can look across to Seal Rocks; a breeding ground for over 20,000 Australian Fur Seals.  

There are binoculars set at strategic points where you can get a closer view across to the Rocks. 

If you want to see the Seals up close its a good idea to organise a boat tour of Seal Rocks from a range of operators. 

Entry to the Nobbies is free and there is a large cafe. information centre and gift shop.

Churchill Island Heritage Farm

Churchill Island Heritage Farm provides insights into what life was like living on a farm in the early 1900’s.  The 57 heactare Island was originally inhabited by the Bunurong people with the first European inhabitants finding remains of canoes and fires.

European settlement started when Lieutenant James Grant sailed the Lady Nelson to the island in 1801. He planted seeds he'd been provided, felled trees and built a hut making this the first European agricultral pursuit in Victoria.

The farmhouse has been beautifully restored and furnished with antiques. There are also a range of interesting outbuildings that give the impression that you’ve travelled back through time. 

You can see a range of farm animals and experience some of the farm activities like shearing, whip cracking and wagon rides.

There are also beautiful views across to the mainland. For more information see our blog on Churchill Island Heritage Farm

1 day private tour of Phillip Island