Have You Heard Y.E.T? – February 2026
It’s the February 2026 edition of ‘Have You Heard Y.E.T?!’
Happy New Year and welcome to the February edition of ‘Have you Heard Y.E.T?!’
In this month’s newsletter we kiss goodbye to Summer and welcome Autumn. We bring you up to date on all that’s happening at Your Exclusive Tours, our highlighted supplier is Jimmy Rum and the destination experience of the month is Phillip Island.
What’s happening at Your Exclusive Tours?
It is hard to believe our Summer Season is coming to an end, however our weather continues to be unpredictable in typical Melbourne fashion, where we’re famous for our ‘4 seasons in one day’. This will make for some interesting touring days over the next month or so.
Like previous years, January and February have been been solid months with a number of bookings and there has been no specific experience as our front runner. Whist the number of cruise ships have decreased coming into of the Melbourne this season, our Shore Excursion experience has maintained its popularity which is positive.
As a private tour operator, our numbers are typically between 2 to 4 guests, but over the past several weeks, we have seen an increase demand for small group private tours of between 8 to 20 guests. The groups have been multi-generational families, friendship groups (one of more 40 years of friendship), and special interest groups. It has exciting observing the different group dynamics, laughter, banter, and capturing that elusive group photo.
With a steady level of enquiries coming through, we are finding guest decisions are being influenced via tour & time duration (not allowing enough time), economic factors i.e. currency conversion of the strong Aussie Dollar, and indecisiveness on what to do. A lot of our guests have underestimated the value of Melbourne and have found it’s exceeded their expectations. As we say, Melbourne and Victoria is “Every Bit Different”.
Our highlights include:
Sampling the fresh fruit at Queen Victoria Market on our Melbourne Sights & Surrounds private experience.
Playing Golf at Royal Melbourne Golf Club.
A of group Engineering Graduates who have been colleagues and friends since their university days 40 years ago, touring the Great Ocean Road, The Wildlife Adventure to Phillip Island and the Yarra Valley private experience. .
Review of the Month
This month’s review is from J, who frequently trusts Your Exclusive Tours to ensure his travellers have a fantastic time exploring Victoria on their travels. We’d like to thank J for passing on this fantastic feedback from his guest Hayley’s recent adventures with Chauffeur guide Jenny.
Our Suppliers – Jimmy Rum
We continue our ‘Our Suppliers’ series this month with our focus turning to Peninsula distillery Jimmy Rum.
Who are they?
Jimmy Rum was the first dedicated craft rum distillery in Victoria. It was started by founder James McPherson who made it his mission to redefine rum. Over the last 6 years Jimmy Rum has become one of the most innovative and original distilleries in Victoria.
What do they do?
Jimmy Rum produce a range of Rums and Cane Spirits, including their signature Rum, currently selling at batch 007, Oaked (American inspired) Rum, Apple cane spirit, and their Pinot Cane spirit, which was a result of a collaboration with Crittenden Estate & Rhino Tiger Bear.
Why we love them
We love bringing guests to Jimmy Rum because to sample their innovative range, in a friendly, relaxed atmosphere. Our guests come away with a fascinating overview of the creation process, and a sumptuous tasting experience!
Destination Experience of the Month – Phillip Island
Phillip Island is an easy drive of less than 2 hours from Melbourne. Whilst being home to the iconic Penguin Parade, there is so much to see, do and experience on Phillip Island.
From couples to families to small private groups, Philip Island is a must-do part of any Victorian experience, with our most popular island activities including:
- Australian wildlife encounters (Koalas, Kangaroo, Dingos, Snake, Wombats, Birdlife)
- Churchill Island (Historic Homestead, Sheep Shearing, Whip Cracking, Working Dog in Action)
- The Koala Conversation Centre
- Cape Woolamai
- Pyramid Rock
- Helicopter Scenic Flights
- Go-Karting
- Wine or Beer tasting
- An array of dining options
Your Exclusive Tours provides customised itineraries for either a half day or full day out on Phillip Island concluding at the Penguin Parade before returning to Melbourne, and our combined experience “The Wildlife Adventure to Phillip Island”, featuring a stop at Moonlit Sanctuary for kangaroo feeding and a cuddle with a Koala. We love nothing more than creating an itinerary for our guests to explore and experience the best of Phillip Island with us.
If you, or one of your clients, is cruising into Melbourne this summer, why not let us create a Phillip Island experience that won’t be forgotten.
Stay tuned for more news in our next edition of ‘Have you heard Y.E.T?!’, and in the meantime, if you haven’t yet subscribed, you can do so here: