Adding to Clackers' list ...
Phillip Island (about 90 minutes' drive from Melbourne) is a wonderful place for wildlife. The Penguin Parade is one of Victoria's biggest tourist drawcards - even with the crowds it's well worth it. But there's much more than the penguins. Spend a day and night on the Island if you can. The seal cruise from Cowes is great; other cruises are enjoyable too. And look for endangered Hooded Plovers on various southern beaches (try Surf Beach or Pyramid Rock). The koala reserve provides easy koala sightings; combine Oswin Roberts Reserve, Conservation Hill and Rhylll inlet walks. Churchill Island is excellent for wildlife - including many (very photogenic) Cape Barren Geese (possibly with chicks). Woolamai is a great surf beach which presents excellent photo ops (it's one of the few west-facing beaches in Victoria, so good for sunsets). If possible do the Woolamai headland walk after sunset - you walk through a large colony of Short-Tailed Shearwaters, who return to their burrows at night (they are very close so you don't need a long lens - just tone down the flash). In fact there are shearwater burrows beside the road just out of Woolamai township - you can have a quick look on the way back at night after the penguin parade. Woolamai township actually has two good little takeaways (an Indian one and a fish shop). San Remo fisherman's co-op has the world's best fish and chips, in a pleasant location. The George Bass walk from San Remo is worthwhile.
In fact if you can manage a few days, combine Phillip Island with Bunurong coast and on to Wilson's Prom. Lovely coastline and great wildlife, ending up at one of Australia's most-loved National Parks. It's worth hiring a car for a few days just for a trip like this.
Originally posted by clackers Has to be some way of getting smart people into that state!
Remember Piggy Muldoon's great line about NZ emigration to Australia: it raises the average IQ of both countries. Same when Victorians move to Qld.