Melbourne Day Tours get you away from the hustle and bustle of city life, and out into the real Aust

Melbourne is an exciting and bustling city, situated in the south eastern corner of mainland Australia, full of all the sights and sounds that a city will bring. But to a certain extent - seen one, seen 'em all - but you have never seen anything like the Victorian coastline and all it has to offer. There are regular Melbourne Day Tours heading for destinations such as the Great Ocean Road, Phillip Island, Mornington Peninsula and Wilsons Promontory ready to delight you with sights and sounds unique to the coastline of the Southern Ocean.

One of the most spectacular day tours leaving Melbourne travels along the Great Ocean Road taking in the mighty 12 Apostles, London Bridge (yes Australia has one too), Bells Beach and more. Following the coastline this route has been voted one of the most beautiful drives in the world and really is not to be missed. Marvel at the waves crashing onto Bells Beach, which can be up to 6 meters high in certain conditions, watch the 12 Apostles change color at sunset, walk through the rain forest of the Otways and sing nursery rhymes at London Bridge. (London Bridge is not falling down in Australia, it has fallen!)

For a Wildlife Experience, take the day tour out of Melbourne to Phillip Island and at sunset experience the Penguins waddling ashore for the evening. There are lots of other critters to see on the way to Phillip Island when the tours stop off at wildlife conservation parks. Australia's flora and fauna is unique in the world and at these parks the animals are being protected and cared for, as well as providing interesting and educational activities for visitors. Not that you have to visit a conservation park on Phillip Island to see koalas, they are everywhere. Many of the Melbourne Day Tours heading for the penguin parade, stop off at Churchill Island which was the site of Victoria's first European settlement, where today agricultural activities prevail and you can see sheep shearing demonstrations, Aussie Style.

Another escape from the clamor of the City are the Melbourne Day Tours to the Mornington Peninsula, truly a beautiful place where the rolling hills are covered with olive groves and vineyards and landscape that is very reminiscent of the Mediterranean. This area produces wonderful Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris wines along with other fine red and white wines. As well as driving along spectacular coastline, add to the experience strawberry picking in the summer, visiting a lavender farm and getting lost in the oldest and largest maze in Australia. The Mornington Peninsula is a fabulous day tour, and a sure fire way of recuperating from the busy city activities and if you have the energy, you can take the tour that lasts later into the day and divert off and see the Penguin Parade on the way back into Melbourne.

Many visitors to Melbourne want to visit the site of the ever popular Australian soap opera series, Neighbors, and there are even day tours that take you there. Driving to the famous Ramsay Street, yes it is a real street, you are able to walk in the street, meet some of the actors from the series, hear the gossip from your tour guide and if you are lucky, there is sometimes the possibility of seeing filming taking place. There are different tours to chose from departing in the morning or afternoon. These tours are particular favorites of the British backpackers, and very often a highlight of an overseas visitors trip to Australia.

So have a great time in Melbourne, visit the shops, theaters, museums and anything else that takes your fancy, but when you are all "citied-out" don't forget Melbourne Day Tours to get you away from town and out into the countryside and coastal areas of South Eastern Victoria and see things that will imprint on your mind for ever, as being a wonderful part of your Australian experience.

Kathryn Mercinda is a Guide with Bunyip Tours who run day tours out of Melbourne. She loves city life but is always keen to show visitors to her part of Australia the wonders of the coastal and country areas not far from the city center. Melbourne Day Tours offer a wonderful alternative to the city experience during your holiday in Melbourne in the state of Victoria.