Moonlit Sanctuary Melbourne: Koala Photos & Day Tours 2026

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Dreaming of a trip to Melbourne where you can snap photos with koalas

and feed kangaroos?

For those of you wondering!

The place I personally visited this time

was none other than Moonlit Sanctuary.

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You can see koalas,

feed kangaroos and wallabies,

and what I loved most was the chance to truly connect with the animals

up close!

Taking a photo with a koala was truly

the moment it truly hit me that I was in Australia, if you know what I mean?

But just visiting Moonlit Sanctuary might feel

a little incomplete.

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Because if you're already venturing out of Melbourne city,

why not combine it with other nearby attractions

for an even more enriching experience?

So, this time, I've compared three tours

that include Moonlit Sanctuary.

Each has its own unique features, so check out which one

might be the perfect fit for you!

Which Moonlit Sanctuary Tour Route is Best?

Renting a car in Australia felt a bit daunting for me.

Mainly because of the opposite driving direction!

That's why I generally recommend going with a day tour company.

I've compared three different tour packages, each with varying prices and itineraries,

depending on the places visited alongside Moonlit Sanctuary.

Tour Package	Price	Schedule
👉Puffing Billy + Moonlit + Brighton	~$226	10 AM - 6 PM
👉 Moonlit + Phillip Island	~$83	Seasonal departure - around 10 PM
👉 Moonlit + Brighton	~$80	8 AM - 1 PM

Prices checked on October 14, 2026

May vary depending on booking date and options

What's noteworthy here is that the price difference between the Phillip Island full-day tour and

the Brighton half-day tour is

just ~$3!

Since some people might want to have their afternoons free,

I realized that a longer tour isn't necessarily

the best option for everyone.

So, make sure to figure out which tour

suits you best!

✅ If you want to enjoy various Melbourne nearby attractions in one day?

✅ If you want to meet everything from koalas to wild penguins?

✅ If you want to tour in the morning and have free time in the afternoon?

And if you're going to book a Melbourne tour anyway,

be sure to check for discount codes.

Payment Amount	Discount	Code
~$37 or more	~$1	세시간전2600001
~$74 or more	~$2	세시간전2600002
~$149 or more	~$5	세시간전2600003

You can take photos with koalas at Moonlit Sanctuary?

What surprised me most about Moonlit Sanctuary

was how incredibly close you could get to the animals.

You can take photos right next to koalas,

and even touch them...!

I could observe them leisurely, and they didn't seem to mind

at all.

You can even hand-feed kangaroos and wallabies!

I admit, I was a little nervous about kangaroos punching me, haha,

but they were surprisingly gentle.

They were so adorable, gently taking the food.

Wombats, dingoes, emus, and more –

you can meet Australia's iconic animals

all in one place! So if you love animals

or are on a family trip, this is a course kids will absolutely adore!

Just having an admission ticket to Moonlit Sanctuary

won't automatically get you a photo with a koala.

You'll need to book a separate experience called the 'Koala Encounter,'

and reservations can be made on the Moonlit Sanctuary official website!

Especially if you're visiting on a day tour,

since your time at the sanctuary will be fixed,

we recommend checking if it aligns with the Koala Encounter schedule first.

Want to visit Puffing Billy and more in one day?

This course takes you to three iconic Melbourne suburban spots

from 10 AM to 6 PM,

a fantastic 8-hour exploration.

You can ride the Puffing Billy steam train,

meet Australian animals at Moonlit Sanctuary,

and even snap some memorable photos at Brighton Beach Boxes.

If you're heading out to Melbourne's surroundings anyway

and want to explore several places at once,

I'd highly recommend this tour.

Want to enjoy a variety of Melbourne's nearby attractions in one day?

→ Puffing Billy + Moonlit Sanctuary + Brighton

✅ Departs 10 AM, returns 6 PM

✅ Includes train ticket, sanctuary admission, transportation, and guide

✅ Meals and personal expenses not included

Want to see the Penguin Parade too?

If you meet kangaroos and koalas at Moonlit Sanctuary

and then witness the Phillip Island Penguin Parade as your grand finale,

it feels like you'll have a perfectly amazing day with animals.

The little penguins waddling out of the sea,

heading home from their 'workday' – even now, just thinking about it

brings a smile to my face.

If you love Australian wildlife,

I'd definitely recommend this tour.

Want to meet everything from koalas to wild penguins?

→ Moonlit Sanctuary + Phillip Island

✅ Summer pick-up 12 PM - 1 PM, Winter pick-up 10 AM - 11 AM

✅ Expected return around 10 PM

Want more flexibility with your time?

Personally, if your Melbourne travel itinerary is a bit tight,

this course looks pretty great too.

This course lets you meet koalas, kangaroos, and other animals at Moonlit Sanctuary in the morning

and visit Brighton Beach Boxes,

with the big advantage that the tour finishes by 1 PM.

Since you don't have to spend your entire day on the tour,

you'll have more freedom to plan your itinerary!

Want to do a tour in the morning and explore independently in the afternoon?

→ Moonlit Sanctuary + Brighton Half-Day Tour

✅ Departs 8 AM, returns 1 PM

✅ Approximately 2-hour stay at Moonlit Sanctuary

✅ Small group tour (max 11 people)

If you're planning to book a Melbourne tour,

it would be great to make sure you use these discount codes when booking.

Payment Amount	Discount	Code
Over ~$37	~$1	세시간전2600001
Over ~$74	~$2	세시간전2600002
Over ~$149	~$5	세시간전2600003

During my trip to Melbourne,

feeding kangaroos at Moonlit Sanctuary

and taking photos with koalas were truly delightful experiences.

If you've made it all the way to Australia and want to meet koalas and kangaroos

up close and personal,

I highly recommend a visit!

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