geordie mandy

Can i ask those who live in the mornington penisular area and those who have holidayed if they have been dolphin watching there?
I saw a few sites which claim there are trips around Sorrento(i think), where would be the best place to stay, to do this and a trip to Philip Island.
We are going to be staying with relatives in Albury on the borders but as we are flying to and from the Uk via Melbourne we thought we would check that area out.
Mandy

Teliko21

Do the penguins plus tour at Phillip Island, well worth the extra money

Lindsay Clan

We went on a dolphin cruise in December just after Christmas with Moonraker http://www.moonrakercharters.com.au/index.html they were very good and professional and the kids had a great time. They supply all the wet suits, flippers etc so all you have to do is take a towel and your cossie. We swam around a bunch of seals first which was fantastic and then got back on board to find the dolphins. The only problem being was we didn't find any. Needless to say my daughter was devasted. The chance you take trying to find wild animals I guess.

Lorraine

geordie mandy

Just spotted that in the travel book sounds good.
Mandy

geordie mandy

Hi Lorraine
Thank you for that info very useful .Did you get offered a free trip to swim with the dolphins on a different day or where you offered your money back?
Mandy

Lindsay Clan

Hi Mandy

All the dolphin swim companies state in their information that "the dolphins are wild animals and there are no guarantees", so normally no refunds are done and it's a chance you take. However they saw that our eldest daughter was so upset that they offerred her a free place if we decided to take it up again. We are hoping to do it again sometime but have just bought our own home here so it's gone on the back burner for a while. Even though we didn't get to see the dolphins, the experience with the seals was fantastic and would recommend anyone to have a go. Just don't be too disappointed if Flipper and friends don't want to make an appearance!

Lorraine

Jaycee1

Hi Geordie Mandy,
Been to Phillip Island quite a few times in winter and summer. If you are going to see the penguins book at the tourist information beforehand ie. earlier in the day as the price at the place is about $10-$15 more. It was $48 for a family of four. We parked up and wondered why everyone had blankets. We soon found out. It was freezing And just like Lindsay Clan we sat for nearly 2 hours and only saw about 20. They were lovely and worth the wait.
There is a Koala Sanctuary that you spot the Koalas in trees which is good and there is a boardwalk (decking) to walk around to get a closer look in lower trees.
Accross the road from this is 'Amaze n things' you cannot miss it. More for kids but we had great time has funny shaped rooms and a maze, a pitch and putt at the front that was about $70 for a family of 4 to do everything. They will have a website will try and find it for you. It is http://www.amazenthings.com.au/ Don't forget the 'Nobbies' to look for the seal colony it is free and there are boardwalks to walk around but avoid at 5pm as all the coaches going to the penguin parade are there and it is very busy.
J x

Teliko21

The penguins plus ticket includes a free hot drink (yay!) and we must have seen about 300 penguins! Having been there on a normal ticket as well and only having seen about 10, I would definitely pay for the plus again I think they only sell 30 or so plus tickets a day so well worth booking beforehand. You have your own private area and it is right next to the main path that most of the penguins take so you can follow them right to their burrows

geordie mandy

Thank you everyone, for the info. We are cetainly going to vist Philip Island
I am looking into booking a special trip with travel mood (we are flying throught them) so we will have a nights accomendation, trip to the koala sancturay and the penquin parade. All for £86 per person does this sound reasonable a price to pay?
Mandy

Teliko21

Sounds pretty good

www.penguins.org.au will give you access to the penguin tour and koala prices

OzTennis

For some photos of the area check out:

http://www.travelvictoria.com.au/arthursseat/photos/
http://www.travelvictoria.com.au/blairgowrie/photos/
http://www.travelvictoria.com.au/cowes/photos/
http://www.travelvictoria.com.au/dromana/photos/
http://www.travelvictoria.com.au/flinders/photos/
http://www.travelvictoria.com.au/mountmartha/photos/
http://www.travelvictoria.com.au/mornington/photos/
http://www.travelvictoria.com.au/portsea/photos/
http://www.travelvictoria.com.au/rosebud/photos/
http://www.travelvictoria.com.au/rye/photos/
http://www.travelvictoria.com.au/safetybeach/photos/
http://www.travelvictoria.com.au/sanremo/photos/
http://www.travelvictoria.com.au/sorrento/photos/

After you've seen this lot you can move onto dolphins and penguins on day 2.

OzTennis

geordie mandy

Photo links and all web links are excellent Karma going to all of you.
Mandy