KTtravel

I've already gotten such great advice here about our upcoming trip but, of course, thought of yet another question. I would like to see the Penguin Parade at Phillip Island when we are in Melbourne. Some of the organized tours there also include Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park but I am wondering if we should skip it as I am tempted to take a shorter tour. We will be visiting Featherdale Wildlife Park when we are in Sydney. Are the two parks similar or will we have really missed out if we don't see Moonlit? We do enjoy seeing wildlife.

Thanks, in advance, for your thoughts!

Bokhara2

Hi again KTtravels,

I'm a great Phillip Island fan and although I've not yet been to the Moonlit Sanctuary, that would be my pick of the two.
https://moonlitsanctuary.com.au/

If you're doing an organised tour to the Blue Mountains that includes Featherdale, I would:
(1) Choose another that does not or (2) DIY independently - either rent a car or take the train.
Blue Mountains: https://tinyurl.com/yc28vadd

Featherdale is a detour to a fairly blah suburb that takes time away from a day in the Blue Mountains. And the Blue Mountains deserves at the very least a full day. (Overnight is better!) It's a while since I've been to Featherdale but unless it has really bucked up, I think there's a lot better options to see Australian wildlife. https://www.featherdale.com.au/

I can't remember (did we know?)what the rest of your Australian Itinerary looks like, but if you have the time I'd happily recommend a day on Phillip Island, visit the Moonlit Sanctuary, stay for the Penguin Parade and stay overnight down there.

https://www.visitphillipisland.com.a...o/things-to-do

https://www.visitphillipisland.com.a...ldlife-viewing

KTtravel

Thanks, Bokhara2! Featherdale is already on the itinerary of our group's organized tour so we will be going there. I was wondering if Moonlit would be much of the same or also worth visiting.

Bokhara2

I can’t answer that KTtravels. What I do know is that I would not do a tour to the Blue Mountains that included Featherdale for the reasons I mentioned above.

There are numerous tours to the Blue Mountains, the best ones IMO don’t include it.

Could I ask what tipped you in favour of the one you’re using - or did some Travel Agent book/ recommend it and you just went with that?

KTtravel

Our visit to Featherdale is already planned by the tour operator of the 22 day tour we have pre-booked. We are visiting Melbourne on our own prior to the beginning of our arranged tour which is why we are trying to decide what to do during our time in the Melbourne area. Given your recommendation, I'm sure your advice is wise for the Blue Mountain area but I don't think we will have a choice there.

Bokhara2

Ah well, that's the price of organised tours, I guess.

Re Melbourne: If you have a day or half-day for Phillip Island I would think Moonlit Sanctuary would be a great add-on. As I said, I've not been there yet, but everything about it online and especially the fact that it's a sanctuary that does rehabilitation etc., puts it on my + list.

If you do a shorter trip to Phillip Island, what would you plan to do in the "saved" time? There is lots to see & do in Melbourne, but not knowing what your 22 day tour includes, it's hard to make any useful recommendations. (Not that you were asking for them hahaha)

northie

I had to google Moonlit Sanctuary as Id not heard of it .Whilst it sounds lovely it does look like Featherdale. Also its an hour trip from Moonlit to Phillip island . Id look at both online and see what animals ther eare at ech and then decide. I see there are Tasmanian tigers at Moonlit which I love.
Id prefer to go to Healesville Sanctuary which is part of Zoos Victoria and has everything

KTtravel

Thank you, northie for the good advice!

Diamantina

Tasmanian tigers are extinct. I'm pretty sure you meant Tasmanian devils, northie.

northie

Oops thanks for the pick up

Diamantina

I've probably mixed the two up myself quite a few times. I'm still hoping they'll find a Tasmanian tiger in the wilderness of Tasmania's southwest.