The Best Walking Tours in Melbourne (Updated 2023)

Posted: 3/16/23 | March 16th, 2023

Famous for its restaurant and coffee scene, Melbourne is popular with most backpackers (so I listen to it a lot!). It has charming, fun neighborhoods and streets lined with inspiring shops and cafes. You can take advantage of its fantastic nightlife, from a quiet night in a wine bar to dancing until the sun rises in a thumping club. It’s also close to the wine-centric Yarra Valley. There is a lot to see and do here.

Melbourne is considered the country’s “cultural capital” and the best way to find out why is to walk around.

I love walking tours. You’ll see the highlights and connect with a local guide who can answer all your questions. There are also tours for every niche, so whatever your interests (or budget), you’ll be able to have fun and learn a lot about the city.

Here is my list of the best walking tours in Melbourne.

While those may be the best free and paid tours in town, Melbourne has a lot more to offer, whatever your interests. Here are eight other insightful and educational tours:

1. Melbourne Street Tours

Street art has become a global phenomenon over the past decade or so. Every major city on the planet has incredible street art and murals to admire — and Melbourne is no exception. In addition to taking you through some lesser-known alleyways, this tour ends in an artist’s studio warehouse, so you can learn how these amazing works are created.

Tours start at 49 AUD.

2. Depot Adventures Hidden Bar Tour

Melbourne is full of small, sometimes hidden lanes that contain some lesser-known establishments. And this, of course, includes bars. This three-hour tour takes you through the backstreets to discover four hidden pubs. The expert local guide will not only regale you with stories of the Melbourne bar scene but also tell you about the history of the city. Make sure you’re thirsty!

Tours start at 58 AUD.

3. Melbourne Walks

For over three decades, Melbourne Walks has been at the forefront of tours. Whatever your interests, there’s likely to be a tour that appeals: there’s a crime-focused tour, for example, a back lane and arcade jaunt, and a tour that focuses on topics like architecture, literature, social justice, historic pubs, and individuals that historical figure. If you’re looking for something suitable, start here.

Tours start at 70 AUD.

4. Aboriginal Heritage Walk

Through the Royal Botanical Gardens, you can travel to Melbourne and see it through Aboriginal eyes — particularly the Kulin people. Every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday at 11am, visitors are shown the traditional use of tools, medicine, plants and food, as well as the rich and intriguing history and culture of the First Peoples of Australia. This is incredibly informative!

Tours start at 40 AUD.

5. Blue Tongue Bikes

This bike tour is a great eco-friendly way to get around town. You’ll get a panoramic view of Melbourne, taking in all the major attractions while learning about its history, from the early Aboriginal era to its founding to the present day. During breaks, an expert local guide offers tips on what else to do and where to eat in the Melbourne area.

Tours start at 65 AUD.

6. Lantern Ghost Tours

For a spooky look at Melbourne’s seedy past, take a ghost tour. Over 90 minutes, you’ll travel back to the 19th century and explore the city’s haunted locations. You’ll travel through narrow alleyways, marvel at historic haunted buildings, and hear all kinds of spooky stories from Melbourne’s past and present.

Tours start at 26 AUD.

7. Intrepid Urban Adventures

Sure, Melbourne has one of the best dining scenes — if not the best — in Australia. But if you like to eat while traveling, you can get another perspective on a place’s food landscape by visiting its markets. Intrepid’s 2.5-hour Multicultural Markets Culinary Culture Tour is designed to help you discover the richness and diversity of the city’s many food markets. It celebrates Melbourne’s food culture, stopping at, among other sites, the famous Queen Victoria Market, Australia’s largest open-air market. You’ll meet vendors, sample their products, and walk away with a full stomach and a deeper knowledge of Melbourne’s diverse food scene.

Tours start at 58 AUD.

Walking in Melbourne is the best way to start your visit. You’ll connect with a local guide, see the main sights, and learn about the city’s diverse cultural landscape. Whether you’re a foodie or a cocktail lover, a history geek or an e-bike enthusiast, there’s a tour here for you. Just remember to tip your guide at the end!