great ocean road vs. phillips island
 

another thought on GOR. I am trying desperately to fit this in, as I thought it sounded absolutely spectacula. In addition to the questions I posed earlier, I could also slough off the Fairy Penguin Parade on Phillipps Island and have a whole day at least to attempt GOR. Any input out there?

Secondly, would it be possible to start quite early for GOR and be back in time to still see penguins?




R

How much time are you scheduled to spend in total in melbourne?

It is possible to drive from melbourne around the bay to Phillip island and catch a ferry across the heads and go on to the GOR...this would take 2.5 days minimum to do it sensibly.

Also if you are going to the south island of nz you will probably see penguins there.

I would forget phillip island (imho its overated) and use most of your melbourne time on the GOR.

I'D SKIP THE PENGUINS. It's not possible to do both as to get any distance down the GOR & back to Melb in one day is really pushing it anyway.

Was very disappointed at the entire Fairy Penguin thing. And I was really looking forward to it. Was there last Xmas, was FREEZING and there was a lack of penguins. Saw a few but not like the pictures in the postcards. Best part of the evening was the gift shop!

I would recommend you forget the Penguins and instead, ensure you take a chopper ride on the GOR. It would cost you approximately $80 per person, but the money is well worth spent. The view is spectacular and gives you a far better perspective than just driving the GOR.