Top Melbourne Historical & Heritage Tours

Spend a haunting evening immersed in Melbourne’s supernatural history. Hear some of the tragic tales and ghostly legends that pepper the city’s past while your entertaining local guide leads you on a walking tour. Choose from one of three different itineraries — Old Melbourne, Williamstown or Pentridge Prison (see Itinerary below for details). With the Old Melbourne and Williamstown tours, you can opt to include dinner at a haunted historic pub.

Get a real taste of Melbourne on this 2-hour walking tour of the famous Queen Victoria Market, which dates back to the 19th-century. With a small group of no more than 12 people per guide, you’ll enjoy a personalised experience with your local guide, as you browse the myriad stalls and mingle with the locals. Enjoy tastings of delicious seasonal delicacies (included). Tasting will depend on what is fresh on the day, but typically include Coffin Bay Oysters, grilled peppered kangaroo, pickled octopus, local goats’ milk cheese, fresh dolmades and Victorian olives. Your tour ends with a famous hot jam doughnut from the iconic American Doughnut Kitchen.

Spend a delightful morning exploring top Melbourne sights from aboard a comfortable coach. Learn about the city’s fascinating history from your informative driver and guide as you explore highlights such as Queen Victoria Market, the Royal Botanic Gardens, Parliament House, and Cook’s Cottage. To extend your sightseeing, upgrade for an optional cruise along the scenic Yarra River.

Experience life in 19th century Australia on this full-day tour of the Sovereign Hill open-air museum, including hotel pick-up and round-trip transport from Melbourne. Get a feel for life in a gold-rush town as you peek into crafts workshops, watch blacksmith demonstrations, ride a stagecoach or try your hand panning for gold. That’s not all:  head underground for a tour of the Red Hill Mine, learn about the great Australian gold rush at the Gold Museum, or upgrade to include lunch or entrance to the Ballarat Wildlife Park.

Embark on a full-day adventure through the forests, mountains, and vineyards of Victoria. Enjoy tea and birdwatching in the Dandenong Ranges, and cruise through a verdant landscape aboard the historic Puffing Billy steam train. Discover the vineyards of the Yarra Valley as you sample premium regional wines at cellar-door tastings. Plus, upgrade to include a gourmet lunch with wine pairings.

Get a great introduction to the history and culture of Melbourne on this guided half-day city tour by coach. See highlights of the city’s bustling Central Business District, and cruise by sporting landmarks like the Melbourne Cricket Ground and Etihad Stadium. Stretch your legs at the beautiful Royal Botanic Gardens and take in the modern energy of the city’s revitalized Docklands area. Venture as far as St Kilda and Brighton, where you can snap photos of the beachy suburb’s iconic colorful bathing boxes.

Starting from the heart of the city we walk along the Yarra River into Melbourne's world famous sporting precinct exploring over 150 years of sports history ranging from the Olympics, cricket, Australian football, rugby, tennis through to horseracing, F1, surfing and golf. We finish with a guided tour inside the MCG, visiting behind the scenes locations such as the players change rooms, the famous Long Room and the media centre.

Raise a glass to Melbourne's history while bar-hopping among some of the best watering holes in town. Hear tales of the Gold Rush, rebellions, royals, and Olympians while a fun-loving guide shows you how locals unwind. Order your drink of choice at a typical Aussie pub, a hidden speakeasy, a cozy wine bar, and another buzz-worthy surprise bar. It's a safe and social way to partake in Melbourne's famous bar scene while meeting fellow travelers.

Make the most of your visit to Melbourne with a laneways walking tour led by an informative guide. Check out the laneways with a local to find tucked-away art galleries, vibrant street art, and interesting shops and cafes. You'll also stop for tastings of macarons and coffee, and learn about Melbourne’s history, architecture and cultural hotspots. Your small-group tour is limited to 10 people, which ensures a more customized experience.

At 38 hectares, it can take a long time to see all of Melbourne’s beautiful Royal Botanic Gardens by foot. This minibus tour offers a perfect solution for visitors wishing to take in the gardens’ natural beauty in just 30 minutes. The ‘hop on, hop off’ feature adds extra flexibility to anyone who wants to stay longer and get a closer look at certain gardens.

Step back in time and explore downtown Melbourne’s gangster past. Discover buildings along Lonsdale Street that were once brothels and speakeasies from the 1870s to the 1930s. Hear myths and legends about the famous gangsters of the era such as Squizzy Taylor and the slum of ‘Little Lon,’ and how these gangs used lolly shops—candy stores—as fronts for massive drug operations.

Because these are private 1:1 tours it means I can guarantee my guests a more rewarding and fulfilling experience, as a lifelong Melburnian I know this city and it’s laneways. We’ll explore some of the lesser known lanes as well as the more well known ones that lies at the vibrant heart of Melbourne, full of hidden bars, quirky cafes and world famous street art. Using the lanes as our studio and my experience as a professional photographer for over 25 years I’ll show you straight forward, simple camera techniques to improve your photos and capture many unique images, I enjoy passing on my knowledge and I care about the experience that each and every one of my clients have on these tours, from beginner to professional, you'll be able to capture many unique images and have fun doing it!

Traverse the tree tops of the Dandenong Ranges in a Puffing Billy steam train on this half-day tour from Melbourne. Enjoy a Devonshire tea as you sit back and take in the lush forest scenery while the train chugs along the tracks. Stroll around a lovely craft village in the Victorian countryside on your way back to the bustling city.

Experience Australian wildlife and rainforest up-close and personal with a full day trip to Moonlit Sanctuary and the Puffing Billy Steam Train from Melbourne. Explore Moonlit Sanctuary's bushland setting with an experienced guide, and meet animals that range from koalas to kangaroos, dingos to monitor lizards. Learn about local conservation efforts. Soak up the wild atmosphere of a mountain rainforest while riding a century-old steam train along scenic tracks before returning to Melbourne.

Trade the city streets of Melbourne for the beauty of the Dandenong Ranges. Tour the national park and look for colorful birds and exotic plants. Enjoy a ride on the beloved Puffing Billy Steam Train. In the afternoon, visit a Yarra Valley winery for a roast lunch with local wines. Have a sweet treat at a chocolate and ice cream spot, and end with a wine tasting at Dominique Portet.

Get the inside scoop on Melbourne’s history and highlights on this entertaining walking tour. Learn about Melbourne’s early settlers and how the city transitioned from a 19th-century port town to Victoria’s modern capital. Your local guide leads you through central Melbourne’s iconic laneways and arcades and fills you in on landmarks like Flinders Street Station, Federation Square, and Hosier Lane.

Private boutique tour by a local resident of the area knowing where to go, what to see and whom to greet. Where to get the best food and bolide bagels. Tour the largest synagogue in Melbourne Get to meet a Rabbi if you want to Kosher food Customised to your wants and wishes

Take a walk through Melbourne's seedy side on a true crime tour of Fitzroy, once the city’s most dangerous and notorious district. Feel transported back to the turn of the 20th century while a historian guide shares the dark deeds of thieves, murderers, gang bosses, pimps, and other scoundrels who once stalked the streets. Meet these hardened criminals through a booklet with historic photos that bring the chilling stories to life.

Immerser yourself in nearly 200-years of sports and sports history during this guided, small-group walking tour designed for those who love all things athletic. See the National Tennis Center where the Australian Open is played and make a stop at important stadiums and arenas as well as the Olympic Park, AAMI Park and more.

Experience Melbourne like a local, with a local, on this fully customizable private experience tailored to you and you alone. Try a cappuccino served in an avocado, shop the city’s finest vintage, chill with penguins, or crawl the laneways’ sexiest rooftop bars. Once you book, you’ll be paired with a like-minded host to build your dream itinerary—morning, noon, or night. Please note: Your fee covers guiding only.

Embark on a self-guided Quest through Melbourne's best lanes and arcades to discover unique street art, stunning architecture, and historical trivia. During your walk, collect clues hidden in the city's art, architecture and history. Then use them to solve the puzzle. A reward awaits at the end of your Quest in the form of a surprise restaurant where you can enjoy the Melbourne food scene like a local. Each destination is hand-picked for its quality, service, and essential Melbourne-ness. What an adventurous way to experience Australia's food capital! Starting point: Flinders Street Station Walking distance: 2-3 kilometers Estimated duration: 1-2 hours Accessibility: Suitable for wheelchairs and prams Puzzle Difficulty: Moderate. Suitable for children 10+. Enjoy the Quest as an amazing race by forming teams to see who can reach the surprise destination first! Or, take your time and meander slowly through the clues, stopping wherever you like for detours.

First time in Melbourne? Wondering where to go and what to see in this colorful city? We got you! Kickstart your time in Melbourne ​with a 90-minute introduction to the city with the help of your favorite local. See the main highlights of Melbourne and discover the best the city has to offer. Your local host will answer all of your travel questions and will provide you with local insights and recommendations according to your liking. On this private tour, you’ll visit the must-see historical spots of Melbourne, but also see hidden places that will give an authentic feeling of the city. Go to the historic St. Paul’s Cathedral, the oldest and best arcades in the city, and find out where one of Banksy’s favorite places to paint was. Hear all about how a famous rockstar has a statue and lane named for him and more.​ Ready for a unique private trip through this city full of surprises? Wondering about the best places for food and drinks? Get personal recommendations from your local host.

Let us show you our “Melbourne”. Come and join our small group tour to experience our vibrant city. You will discover why Melbourne has been voted the most livable city in the world. The tour visits Collins, Bourke and Spring Streets together with laneways and arcades. You pass some wonderful old 19th Century buildings built from 1858. We have a sneaky peek inside a few to discover the grandeur, opulence and splendor of that Gold Rush period when the streets were awash with money. Stroll down the “Paris End” of Collins Street with its famous fashion designers in a beautiful tree lined street, the best in Australia. Check out the street art and murals. Wander through the Royal and Block Arcades with Italian Mosaic floors. Your tour guide is radio connected to each person via a head set and earpiece, you hear every word. Cruise Ship Excursion-catch the 109 tram from the wharf, buy your tram ticket and travel 25min to the city, get off at Spring Street. No 1. Collins St is right there.

Uncover the secrets and spirits of the Point Cook Homestead on a spellbinding, 2-hour evening tour. Known for its dark history and high level of paranormal activity, this isolated, 1850s homestead near Melbourne is home to many family legends and shadowy corners where restless ghosts are believed to roam.