The Closest Wildlife Sanctuary to central Melbourne

Moonlit Sanctuary is only 50 minutes southeast of central Melbourne, at the top of the Mornington Peninsula, and on the way to the penguins on Phillip Island.

Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park
550 Tyabb-Tooradin Rd,  Pearcedale

GETTING HERE BY CAR

From the Melbourne CBD via the Monash Freeway (M1) and the Westernport Highway (M780).

Phillip Island is less than one hour away via the South Gippsland Highway.

Reach us from the southern Peninsula and Great Ocean Road via the Mornington Peninsula Freeway.

Searoad Ferries link the Mornington Peninsula with the Great Ocean Road on the hour and half hour.

GETTING HERE BY PUBLIC TRANSPORT

We are currently not easily accessible by public transport. Use Public Transport Victoria website to plan your journey: https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/

Regular suburban passenger trains operate from Melbourne CBD stations to both Frankston and Cranbourne stations, where buses may be taken to Pearcedale. Train travel time is around 70 minutes on both lines, depending on the train taken.

Cranbourne: No. 792 bus from the station to Pearcedale, this bus runs 10 times a day weekdays, 9 times a day Saturday, and 8 times a day Sunday. Travel time is about 30 minutes. Note: some additional services on this route do not run through to Pearcedale.

Frankston: No. 776 bus from the station to Pearcedale, this bus runs 7 times a day weekdays and 3 times a day on Saturday. There is no Sunday or public holiday service. Travel time is about 30 minutes.

Please note: Moonlit Sanctuary is a 2.5km, 30-minute walk from Pearcedale. Pearcedale is a small village with no taxis. The roads from Pearcedale to Moonlit Sanctuary do not have pavements and may have heavy traffic. We recommend taking a taxi or Uber from the train station rather than buses and walking. 

TAXIS / UBERS

Taxis may be hailed at the Frankston Railway Station taxi rank, and the trip to Moonlit Sanctuary takes about 20 minutes. There is no taxi rank at Cranbourne Railway Station.

Taxis from Moonlit Sanctuary: Our staff are happy to phone for a taxi for you but it can be difficult to find taxis so we recommend you arrange your return journey in advance.

Plan your trip in advance and book with Sunny at South East Silver Top Taxis 0426 124 772

The Moonlit Sanctuary Taxi and Rideshare pickup point is located at the Visitor Centre exit beside the ramp.

DAY TOURS FROM MELBOURNE

Several companies run day trips and longer tours which stop at Moonlit Sanctuary on the way to Phillip Island. These tours all depart from Melbourne.

Oceania Tours runs a half day that includes a visit to the Brighton Beach Huts on the way to Moonlit.

CITY TRANSFERS FOR EVENING TOURS

We can arrange transfers to Moonlit Sanctuary for evening tours from Federation Square, returning you to your city hotel after the tour. A minimum of 24 hours notice is required and additional charges apply.

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