[starun]

Looking for suggestions
Have a day to spend in Melbourne.

Main agenda is to catch the penguin parade in the evening. (For end apr, what time does it occur?)

What’s a good itinerary from morning to evening, on the way or at the island itself? Considering self drive.

Appreciate

[Jurong640]

Driving from Melbourne to Philip Island takes around 4hrs hours. Advised to stay at least a day in philip island. After you catch the penguin parade and go back, the roads will be very dark, quite dangerous to drive.

[starun]

4 hours? That’s very long.
Was considering taking tours but heard it is very rushing

I intend to head back to Melbourne.
What activities do u suggest if we wish to end the night with the penguin parade?

Jurong640 wrote:

Driving from Melbourne to Philip Island takes around 4hrs hours. Advised to stay at least a day in philip island. After you catch the penguin parade and go back, the roads will be very dark, quite dangerous to drive.

[Jurong640]

starun wrote:

4 hours? That’s very long.
Was considering taking tours but heard it is very rushing

I intend to head back to Melbourne.
What activities do u suggest if we wish to end the night with the penguin parade?

Opps sorry, not 4 hrs. 4hrs is my previous road trip from Torquay (Great Ocean Road) to Philip Island. The route got ferry ride to short-cut.

But when I plot your Melbourne to Philip island on google maps, and it says 2hrs+.

Not sure for getting tours, but I see those coaches on the road, it's like very rush for them. There is nothing much actually at Philip Island at night, after the penguin parade, the roads are complete darkness and we went Cowes area for dinner. Nothing much actually. But it's good for you to settle down for a day. Have a good rest and breakfast before heading back to Melbourne

[beano]

Melbourne CBD to P.island is usually less than 2hrs..

There's probably nothing else you can do after the parade, head back to city and see if there's any shops open 24hrs for supper..

[Awesom Andy]

There will be plenty of cars heading back to Melbourne as well. Just find one going at a reasonable speed for your comfort and follow along.

[starun]

No worries. I have decided to drive. Any places to suggest before we end off with penguin parade?

Jurong640 wrote:

Opps sorry, not 4 hrs. 4hrs is my previous road trip from Torquay (Great Ocean Road) to Philip Island. The route got ferry ride to short-cut.

But when I plot your Melbourne to Philip island on google maps, and it says 2hrs+.

Not sure for getting tours, but I see those coaches on the road, it's like very rush for them. There is nothing much actually at Philip Island at night, after the penguin parade, the roads are complete darkness and we went Cowes area for dinner. Nothing much actually. But it's good for you to settle down for a day. Have a good rest and breakfast before heading back to Melbourne

[starun]

Any suggested places before we hit for the parade?

Hope it’s not pack. Heading there end May.

Saw the forecasted schedule that the parade will come by around 7:30pm only:/

beano wrote:

Melbourne CBD to P.island is usually less than 2hrs..

There's probably nothing else you can do after the parade, head back to city and see if there's any shops open 24hrs for supper..

[starun]

Awesome andy, this is some good tips. Are parking generally easy to find?

Awesom Andy wrote:

There will be plenty of cars heading back to Melbourne as well. Just find one going at a reasonable speed for your comfort and follow along.

[Jurong640]

starun wrote:

No worries. I have decided to drive. Any places to suggest before we end off with penguin parade?

the parade ends after 7pm plus, after that the whole island have nothing much actually. But i had dinner at cowes, some pizzas over there and probably some supermarket shopping before heading back Airbnb to rest for the day.

Before penguin parade, you can go Koala Conservation Centre to see the kolas.

[starun]

Thanks for the prompt reply.
Coles as in the restaurant name or the entire area that has restaurant?

Also, do u advise to purchase tickets online before the visit day?

Which tier/category tickets did you purchase for penguin parade?

Jurong640 wrote:

the parade ends after 7pm plus, after that the whole island have nothing much actually. But i had dinner at cowes, some pizzas over there and probably some supermarket shopping before heading back Airbnb to rest for the day.

Before penguin parade, you can go Koala Conservation Centre to see the kolas.

[beano]

starun wrote:

Awesome andy, this is some good tips. Are parking generally easy to find?

Plenty of parking

starun wrote:

Any suggested places before we hit for the parade?

Hope it’s not pack. Heading there end May.

Saw the forecasted schedule that the parade will come by around 7:30pm only:/

Koala conservation, Churchill island, buy the 3 attraction pass..

Yes around that time for May i think, could be earlier

[seianko]

july is 8.45pm for the peg peg to waddle home
by the time everything ended, it is 10pm at the carpark pick up the car to go back melb. BUT　if it is a good skies night, the starry skies is an unforgettable experiences and u get to see random shooting stars

if u wan local experience, we usually enjoy having pancake parlour for late night supper

[starun]

Sounds interesting! Shooting star?!
I am heading end apr instead.

Where is this pancake place pls

seianko wrote:

july is 8.45pm for the peg peg to waddle home
by the time everything ended, it is 10pm at the carpark pick up the car to go back melb. BUT　if it is a good skies night, the starry skies is an unforgettable experiences and u get to see random shooting stars

if u wan local experience, we usually enjoy having pancake parlour for late night supper

[starun]

How much are the passes? U got the basic or high tier passes that might have special benefits?

beano wrote:

Plenty of parking



Koala conservation, Churchill island, buy the 3 attraction pass..

Yes around that time for May i think, could be earlier