Private Melbourne Tour with Koala Encounters at Moonlit Sanctuary

See Melbourne's landmarks and meet Australian wildlife in one eight-hour day

A private full-day tour of Melbourne for up to seven passengers, with a local guide, hotel pickup and admission to Moonlit Sanctuary. The itinerary moves through the city's civic landmarks (St Paul's Cathedral, Parliament House, the Shrine of Remembrance), then out to the seaside neighborhoods of St Kilda and Brighton Beach, ending at the wildlife sanctuary where you encounter koalas and other Australian animals in a park setting.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. St Paul's Cathedral10m
2. Parliament House of Victoria15m
3. Royal Exhibition Building20m
4. Shrine of Remembrance30m
5. Flinders Street Station20m
6. St Kilda10m
7. Luna Park Melbourne15m
8. Hosier Lane15m
9. Brighton Beach20m
10. Moonlit Sanctuary1h 15m · entry included
11. Yarra River5m · entry included

Full day Melbourne city and wildlife tour

• Visit St Paul's Cathedral
• Explore the people's place by Yarra River
• Walk to Parliament House steps
• Tour Royal Exhibition Building and gardens
• Visit Shrine of Remembrance and balcony
• See Flinders Street Station
• Visit St Kilda seaside area
• Explore Luna Park Melbourne
• Walk through Hosier Lane street art
• View Brighton Beach bathing boxes
• Experience wildlife at Moonlit Sanctuary
• Visit Yarra River Southbank precinct

The experience

The tour starts at your hotel and moves through Melbourne's center on foot and by private vehicle. You'll walk around St Paul's Cathedral and the steps of Parliament House on Bourke Street, then visit the Royal Exhibition Building, a UNESCO-listed structure surrounded by gardens and fountains. The Shrine of Remembrance, Melbourne's war memorial, sits on a hill overlooking the city. You can climb to the balcony for views back across the gardens to the skyline. Flinders Street Station, where Melbourne's historic beginning took root, anchors the next stop before the route heads south toward the coast.

The seaside leg takes you to St Kilda, the neighborhood built by gold prospectors and home to the heritage-listed Luna Park Melbourne, designed by the same builders who constructed Coney Island. Brighton Beach comes next, where you see the iconic colored bathing boxes against the water with the city visible in the distance. Hosier Lane, Melbourne's famous street art alley, breaks up the route with its ever-changing murals. The Yarra River and Southbank precinct round out the city portion before the final stop.

Moonlit Sanctuary is where the tour ends. Admission is included, and you spend time in the park setting encountering koalas and other Australian wildlife. A local guide provides commentary throughout the eight hours, and the private vehicle means the group stays under eight passengers. Bottled water is complimentary, and the tour operates in all weather: dress for the conditions you'll meet.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off.
• bottled water.
• admission tickets to Moonlit Sanctuary.
• local tour guide with commentary.
• private vehicle transport for the group.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by Marks Private Melbourne Tours

Is this one for you?The guide speaks English throughout, so anyone comfortable following commentary in English will follow the day without difficulty. The eight-hour duration and private vehicle mean you set the pace at each stop without waiting for a larger group or keeping to a rigid schedule.

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Top questions

What animals will I see at Moonlit Sanctuary?

Moonlit Sanctuary is a wildlife park where you encounter koalas and other Australian animals in a park-like setting. The exact species you see depends on the day and the season, but koalas are a regular feature of the experience.

Does the tour include food or lunch?

The tour does not include meals or food beyond complimentary bottled water. You'll have time at the various stops, and St Kilda and other neighborhoods have cafes and restaurants if you want to eat during the day.

How many people can book this tour together?

The private vehicle accommodates up to seven passengers, so a group of that size travels together in one booking with the same guide and vehicle for the full eight hours.

What is Hosier Lane?

Hosier Lane is Melbourne's famous street mural alley, a laneway known for its constantly changing street art. It's a quick stop on the tour to see the city's evolving public art scene.

Will the guide speak English?

Yes, the tour includes a local guide who provides commentary in English throughout the day on the places of interest around Melbourne.