ATTRACTIONS JUNCTION VILLAGE VIC

Inspired by the work of famous British conservationist Gerald Durrell, Moonlit Sanctuary is now home to 50 Australian species. Many including about 80 wallabies, free to roam through the bush and give visitors a rare natural encounter. Others are housed in large natural enclosures, including endangered creatures such as the strange-looking bush thick-knees bird whose calls have not been heard on the Mornington Peninsula for more than 60 years. Cuddle up to koalas, feed kangaroos and wallabies, meet endangered species all in a beautiful bushland setting at Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park, winner of the Victorian Tourism Awards in Ecotourism. Only 50 minutes drive from the centre of Melbourne. At night, Moonlit Sanctuary comes alive in a remarkable way, with world-famous lantern-lit tours. Owls and other night birds are active, tiny feather-tail gliders and giant yellow-bellied gliders swoop around, and quolls, pademelons and bettongs forage for food. Visitors are amazed that even animals such as wallabies are much more active and responsive at night. Pademelons, southern bettongs and quolls, endangered fluffy gliders, squirrel gliders and Tasmanian Devils are also protected at Moonlit Sanctuary, receiving the Sustainable Cities award for Preservation of the Environment. Colourful parrots abound, waterbirds are at home in extensive wetlands and visitors can sample the flourishing bush foods garden. Meet critically endangered orange-bellied parrots and regent honeyeaters. You can visit Moonlit Sanctuary via a Bunyip Tour or Gray Line day tour to Phillip Island, or transfers from city hotels are available for evening tours.

Just a 45 minute drive from Melbourne's city centre, discover the astonishing beauty and diversity of more than 170,000 individual native plants at the Cranbourne Gardens. You will find them displayed in settings that capture the essence of Australia's diverse landscape from the Red Centre to the coastal fringes. The Australian Garden comprises 11 precincts and new facilities including a visitor kiosk at the northern end of the garden, boardwalks and viewing platforms on Howson and Gibson Hills, and an amphitheatre for education programs and performances. It is a place where you can explore the evolving connections between people, plants and landscapes. The Australian Garden is also a place where you can discover inspiration and information about how to use Australian plants in your garden. Tours, activities and programs in the Australian Garden provide a range of informative and exciting experiences for visitors of all ages. Take a ride on the Garden Explorer to discover this amazing 15 hectare garden. For a small fee you can hop on and off as you please. From the Australian Garden, head into the bushland and picnic areas or visit the shop, Boon Wurrung Cafe or Kiosk....

Winner of the Victorian Tourism Awards in Ecotourism, Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park invites you to wander through 10 hectares of bushland, meeting endangered species, feeding kangaroos and wallabies in the wild, cuddling koalas and enjoying hands-on encounters with friendly sugar gliders, pythons and dingos. Inspired by the work of famous British conservationist Gerald Durrell, Moonlit Sanctuary is now home to 50 Australian species. Many, including about 80 kangaroos, are free to roam through the bush and give visitors a rare natural encounter. Others are housed in large natural enclosures, including endangered creatures such as the strange-looking bush thick-knees bird whose call hadnt been heard on the Mornington Peninsula for more than 60 years. Red bellied pademelons, southern bettongs and eastern quolls (all extinct on mainland Australia), endangered fluffy gliders, squirrel gliders and Tasmanian Devils are also protected at Moonlit Sanctuary, which has received the Sustainable Cities award for Preservation of the Environment. Colourful parrots abound, waterbirds are at home in extensive wetlands and visitors can sample the flourishing bush foods garden. At night, Moonlit Sanctuary comes alive in a remarkable way, with world-famous lantern-lit tours. Owls and other night birds are active, tiny feathertail gliders and giant yellow-bellied gliders swoop around, and quolls, pademelons and bettongs forage for food. Visitors are amazed that even animals such as wallabies are much more active and responsive at night. Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park (www.pearcedale-conservation-park.com.au) is one of seven top attractions in the Mornington Peninsulas Attractions Pass, which saves up to 40% on admission and bonuses at four attractions and includes discount offers at three more. The pass costs only $55 for adults (more than $80 full retail value), $40 for children, and can be purchased at Moonlit Sanctuary.

Casey Stadium is a state of the art facility with 10 full size basketball and netball courts which includes line marking for volleyball and badminton, as well as five indoor cricket and soccer courts. You can hire a court for a game between friends or come down for a casual 'bounce and shoot around.' Also on offer is large range of programming for all ages and abilities, including MiniRoo's, Hot Shots, Cricket Blast, Casey Sports Zone and Gymnastics programs. The All Access programming includes Casey Sports Zone and Self Defence. The cafe is a great place for a coffee and a healthy bite to eat after a day of social health and fitness. ...

Just a 45 minute drive from Melbourne's city centre, discover the astonishing beauty and diversity of more than 170,000 individual native plants at the Cranbourne Gardens. You will find them displayed in settings that capture the essence of Australia's diverse landscape from the Red Centre to the coastal fringes. The Australian Garden comprises 11 precincts and facilities including a visitor kiosk at the northern end of the garden, boardwalks and viewing platforms on Howson and Gibson Hills, and an amphitheatre for education programs and performances. It is a place where you can explore the evolving connections between people, plants and landscapes. The Australian Garden is also a place where you can discover inspiration and information about how to use Australian plants in your garden. Tours, activities and programs in the Australian Garden provide a range of informative and exciting experiences for visitors of all ages. Take a ride on The Explorer to discover this amazing 15 hectare garden. For a small fee you can hop on and off as you please. From the Australian Garden, head into the bushland and picnic areas or visit the Gardens Shop, Boon Wurrung Cafe or Kiosk....

Cranbourne is part of the City of Casey and is located 50 kilometres south-east of Melbourne. The Greyhound track is situated inside the Harness track that is in turn located inside the Turf track, which is located at the Cranbourne Racing Centre, Grant St, Cranbourne. The club races every week and is generally on a Wednesday night. The club offers free entry to every race meeting and has excellent facilities in the newly renovated Grandstand opened in October 2014. There is a very spacious air-conditioned grandstand with a lift available to the first floor. Founded in 1974, the Cranbourne Greyhound Racing Club is the only venue in Victoria that hosts all three codes of racing – thoroughbred, harness and greyhound – celebrated in an annual TRI Codes Night when all three codes race alongside each other. Following a $3.2 million upgrade in 2014, the club’s Grandstand has room for over 900 people over two floors with great track views and hosts a range of social functions and business events....

The Equine Club offers horse riding for all ages and abilities with great ponies and horses. All of their instructors are qualified and can teach from the very foundation of riding through to advanced dressage and show jumping. Their horses range from beginner pony to large warmbloods for those wanting a more advanced ride. The Equine Club is a Pony Club accredited rider centre. Located 45 minutes from Melbourne's CBD with easy freeway access. ...