Go West Tours

Great independent tour company.
We chose this tour company over the excursions available through our cruise line (Crystal Cruises) because they offered more activities for a lower price.
The result was really a more intimate tour (less people on a smaller bus) with a more engaging guide (Katie) than would be available on the Crystal tour. Smaller bus, more stops, more detailed information about the region, and helpful tips on touring.
Our tour was basically a visit to the penguin parade on Phillip Island, with a number of stops along the way.
Yes the flies are a problem, but no tour company can be expected to avoid them!
Visited:
Koala Preserve (fabulous)
Panny’s Chocolate Factory (meh– nice if you have kids)
Phillip Island Winery (fabulous)
Cowes (for independent dinner– very nice)
The Nobbies (Seal Preserve– OK but not great)
Drove the ‘back’ road to the penguin parade (uncrowded and fabulous)
Penguin Parade (BE SURE TO UPGRADE TO THE «PENGUIN PLUS» OPTION!!!)
Our guide Katie really gave us excellent background and info on the island and surrounding areas, as well as excellent guide on what to see and where to sit for the ‘parade’ itself.
If you are considering taking time to see the «Penguin Parade», seriously consider booking it with Go West Tours. If you cannot do it directly, we found them through an online company called Viator.
Picked up at 12:15pm at a hotel in Melbourne, delivered to our cruise port at 12:30am.
Yes they have Wifi on the bus which allowed us to catch up on emails during some of the road time to Phillip Island…

Why I would choose this company:
1. WiFi
2. Small group tour
3. Dave and Travis!
I did the Ocean Road with Dave and Penguin parade with Travis. Great tour guides who are very well versed. Thank you for the cake, coffee, hot cocoa, and tea at the stops. The music was corny, but hilarious. I will never call a koala a koala bear… it’s a marsupial!!!
I wish it we could spend more time at Panny’s chocolates. I didn’t care for the wine tasting, but that could be because I’m spoiled having Napa Valley so close by. The owner at the winery was great though. Perhaps future winery sessions indoors away from the flies??? It was seriously gross to eat the bread, fruit, and cheese after having a bunch of flies land on it.
Many thanks again! Will recommend to friends and family visiting.