Melbourne’s best walking tours get straight to the heart of this fascinating city.
The Historical Walking Tour stands out for its excellent coverage of Melbourne’s early settlement and Gold Rush era – it’s my favorite for understanding the city’s roots.
Food lovers shouldn’t miss the Dumpling Walking Tour, which takes you through Chinatown’s best spots and includes tastings at family-run establishments.
The Hidden Bars & Laneway Legends tour is perfect for evening exploration, showing off Melbourne’s famous laneway culture and secret drinking spots.
For something unique, the Fitzroy True Crime Walking Tour brings local history to life with well-researched stories of infamous cases.
Let’s look at my top picks for Melbourne’s walking tours.
Key Points
- Melbourne offers a variety of immersive walking tours, including those exploring the city’s dark crime history, vibrant food and beverage culture, and unique thematic experiences.
- The Fitzroy True Crime Walking Tour and Melbourne Historical Walking Tour: Crime, Gangsters & Lolly Shops provide engaging insights into the city’s notorious past.
- Food and beverage enthusiasts can enjoy tours focusing on Melbourne’s coffee culture, dumplings, chocolate, and donut scenes, often with tastings and samples.
- Unique thematic tours, such as the Hidden Bars & Creepy Tales Walking Tour and the Hidden Bars & Laneway Legends Walking Tour, offer a glimpse into the city’s nightlife and hidden bar scene.
- Many of the walking tours in Melbourne are highly rated, offer personalized experiences, and cater to various accessibility and dietary needs.
Fitzroy True Crime Walking Tour
The Fitzroy True Crime Walking Tour offers visitors an immersive glimpse into Melbourne’s dark past, guiding them through the former crime hotspots of the Fitzroy district.
Led by local historian and author Michael Shelford, the 2-hour tour explores brothels, gang hangouts, and crime scenes, providing insights into the area’s notorious history.
Equipped with a booklet of historic photos, participants can vividly imagine the rivalries, thefts, and murders that once plagued this now-trendy neighborhood.
With high ratings, a Badge of Excellence, and rave reviews praising Shelford’s storytelling and the tour’s engaging nature, this is a must for anyone interested in Melbourne’s gritty past.
Read our full review: Fitzroy True Crime Walking Tour Review
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Hidden Bars & Creepy Tales: Melbourne Walking Tour
Creepy Tales, Bars & Laneways Of Melbourne Walking Tour offers visitors a unique glimpse into the city’s hidden side, blending captivating history with a journey through its vibrant nightlife.
This highly-rated 4.5-star tour takes guests on a walking exploration of Melbourne’s most intriguing bars and laneways, while recounting the city’s storied past. Priced from $52.66 per person, the tour includes a professional guide, a map of the best bars, and optional photos.
Accessibility is good, with the tour being wheelchair-friendly and near public transportation. However, it’s not recommended for pregnant travelers or those with serious medical conditions due to the uneven surfaces.
Read our full review: Hidden Bars & Creepy Tales: Melbourne Walking Tour Review
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Melbourne Historical Walking Tour: Crime, Gangsters & Lolly Shops
Offering a captivating glimpse into Melbourne’s seedy underbelly, the Melbourne Historical Walking Tour: Crime, Gangsters & Lolly Shops takes visitors on a 2-hour journey through the city’s notorious past.
Led by renowned storyteller Michael Shelford, the tour explores the Little Lon district and its infamous history of crime and gangs. Participants receive a tour booklet with photos of the discussed characters, providing insights into Melbourne’s historical underworld.
Wheelchair and stroller accessible, the tour has a maximum group size of 20, ensuring an intimate and personalized experience.
Consistently praised for its informative and entertaining content, this walking tour is a must-do for both locals and visitors interested in Melbourne’s hidden history.
Read our full review: Melbourne Historical Walking Tour: Crime, Gangsters & Lolly Shops Review
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Hidden Bars & Laneway Legends: Melbourne Walking Tour
Explore Melbourne’s vibrant hidden bar scene and uncover the city’s laneways steeped in rich history on the Hidden Bars, Tall Tales & Laneways Tour.
This 5-star rated afternoon walking tour takes guests on a journey through the city’s best-kept secrets. With a maximum of 12 travelers, you’ll enjoy personalized attention from a knowledgeable guide as you discover Melbourne’s hidden bars and learn about the city’s fascinating past.
The tour includes cocktail samples, a map of the best bars, and optional photos to remember your experience.
Suitable for moderately fit adults 18 and over, this tour is a must-do for anyone seeking an immersive and enjoyable way to explore Melbourne’s vibrant nightlife and culture.
Read our full review: Hidden Bars & Laneway Legends: Melbourne Walking Tour Review
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History and Donuts Walking Tour
For a delightful blend of history and indulgence, the History and Donuts Walking Tour leads visitors on an engaging exploration of Melbourne’s past.
Rated 5.0 out of 25 reviews, this 4-hour tour takes participants through the city’s iconic landmarks, with stops for coffee and two delectable donut tastings.
Led by knowledgeable guides, the tour is wheelchair and stroller accessible, with a maximum group size of 10 travelers.
Priced at $57.27, the tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance and a ‘Reserve Now, Pay Later’ option.
Travelers consistently praise the tour’s well-organized itinerary, informative historical insights, and the chance to savor Melbourne’s culinary delights.
Read our full review: History and Donuts Walking Tour Review
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Melbourne Food and Wine Walking Tour
The Melbourne Food and Wine Walking Tour immerses participants in the vibrant culinary landscape of the city. Over the course of the evening, guests visit three restaurants, enjoying a total of nine food and nine wine pairings.
Led by a knowledgeable local guide, the tour provides an opportunity to sample diverse cuisines and learn about Melbourne’s rich food and wine culture.
With a maximum of eight travelers, the intimate experience allows for personalized attention and opportunities to connect with like-minded foodies.
Accessible and suitable for most dietary needs, this highly-rated tour offers an engaging and delicious way to explore Melbourne’s culinary highlights.
Read our full review: Melbourne Food and Wine Walking Tour Review
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Melbourne Coffee Lovers Walking Tour
Passionate coffee aficionados can embark on a captivating Melbourne Coffee Lovers Walking Tour, seeing the city’s vibrant café culture.
This 2.5-hour walking tour takes groups of up to 12 travelers to at least four of Melbourne’s best coffee houses, cafés, and market stalls, where they’ll learn about the coffee-making process and sample expertly crafted brews.
Along the way, the knowledgeable guide provides insights into Melbourne’s coffee scene, brewing techniques, and the diverse coffee varieties grown worldwide.
With stops at iconic locations like Degraves Street and Flinders Lane, this tour offers an immersive and delightful experience for coffee enthusiasts.
Read our full review: Melbourne Coffee Lovers Walking Tour Review
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Melbourne Dumpling Walking Tour
Travelers can embark on the Melbourne Dumpling Walking Tour, an evening exploration of the city’s vibrant Chinatown and its renowned dumpling offerings.
This 2-hour tour takes a maximum of 12 guests to multiple Chinese restaurants, where they’ll sample a variety of handmade dumplings. Highlights include trying Melbourne’s hottest chili sauce and enjoying tea or water.
Vegetarian and vegan options are available. The tour starts at 6:00 PM and covers the history and flavors of Chinatown.
At the end, guests are left near public transport at the Parliament train station. With 30 reviews and a 100% recommendation rate, this is an excellent way to discover Melbourne’s vibrant food culture.
Read our full review: Melbourne Dumpling Walking Tour Review
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Melbourne Cafe and Coffee Culture Walking Tour
For those seeking to experience Melbourne’s vibrant café culture, the Melbourne Cafe and Coffee Culture Walking Tour offers an immersive exploration.
Operated by Hidden Secrets Tours, this 3-hour small-group tour takes participants on a journey through iconic laneways and arcades, visiting both historic and modern cafés.
Travelers will enjoy a tram ride to lesser-known coffee spots, a light café-style lunch, and coffee tastings, while learning about the history and cultural significance of coffee in Australia.
With a maximum of 8 participants, the tour provides a personalized experience led by a knowledgeable local guide.
Highly recommended by past travelers, this tour is perfect for both first-time and returning visitors to Melbourne.
Read our full review: Melbourne Cafe and Coffee Culture Walking Tour Review
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Whisky Bars & Gin Joints: Melbourne Walking Tour
This 3.5-hour Whisky Bars & Gin Joints: Melbourne Walking Tour takes participants on an immersive journey through the city’s vibrant whiskey and gin culture.
Recommended by 92% of travelers, the tour explores Melbourne’s CBD and visits various bars to sample different whiskeys. Guests will hear captivating stories of prohibition, shipwrecks, sly grog shops, and bootleg booze, and finish at a secret, hidden distillery.
Included in the tour are tasting trays with 3 spirits per bar, an exclusive Melbourne Bar Map, and free photos.
The tour is suitable for ages 18-90 and has a maximum group size of 10 travelers. Priced at $111.90, it offers a unique and authentic experience for whiskey and gin enthusiasts.
Read our full review: Whisky Bars & Gin Joints: Melbourne Walking Tour Review
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Guided Walking Tour of Melbourne Yarra River
On the Guided Walking Tour of Melbourne Yarra River, participants can expect to be led along the iconic river that winds through the heart of the city.
The tour meets at the National Gallery of Victoria at 10 am and returns to the same location. Travelers can look forward to an LGBT-friendly guide, a certified professional, and a wheelchair-accessible experience.
Lunch is included, and the maximum group size is 14 people.
However, based on a single review, the guide was a no-show, which raises concerns about the tour’s reliability. Potential participants may want to inquire about the guide’s attendance record before booking.
Read our full review: Guided Walking Tour of Melbourne Yarra River Review
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Melbournes Oldest Buildings: Historic Walking Tour
Stepping away from the Guided Walking Tour of Melbourne Yarra River, the “Step Back in Time: Exploring Early Melbourne” walking tour offers visitors a unique opportunity to enjoy the city’s rich architectural heritage.
Led by the reputable tour operator Show Me Melbourne, this 2-hour tour takes guests on a journey through Melbourne’s earliest buildings, providing fascinating historical insights.
Priced at $79 per person with a maximum group size of 10, the tour includes coffee/tea, a booklet of historic photos, and free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance.
Though not wheelchair accessible, the tour is near public transportation and suitable for moderately fit travelers.
Based on stellar reviews, this historic walking tour promises an engaging and informative experience.
Read our full review: Melbournes Oldest Buildings: Historic Walking Tour Review
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This Is a Self-Guided Haunted Melbourne Walking Tour.
Embarking on the self-guided Haunted Melbourne Walking Tour allows visitors to uncover the city’s eerie past and encounter its supernatural legends.
Operating from 12/11/2020 to 9/15/2025, this 24/7 tour takes guests on a spooky exploration of Melbourne’s haunted hotspots.
With a 4.5-star rating from 2 reviews, the tour is wheelchair and stroller accessible, and service animals are welcome.
At just $10.53 per group of up to 4 people, it’s an affordable way to experience the paranormal side of this historic city.
The tour uses a mobile app, making it a self-guided experience that begins and ends at Flinders Street Railway Station.
Read our full review: This Is a Self-Guided Haunted Melbourne Walking Tour. Review
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Melbourne Sports Walking Tour
The Melbourne Sports Walking Tour offers visitors a unique opportunity to explore the city’s rich sporting heritage, spanning over a century and a half.
Capped at just 8 participants, this small group experience takes you to iconic venues like the Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne Cricket Ground, and AAMI Park.
Along the way, you’ll learn about the 1956 Olympics and the significance of the Yarra River.
The tour concludes at the MCG, just a 10-minute walk from the starting point at Federation Square.
With positive reviews highlighting the knowledgeable guides, this tour provides an engaging and insider’s perspective on Melbourne’s deep-rooted sports culture.
Read our full review: Melbourne Sports Walking Tour Review
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Melbourne Discovery Walking Tour With a Coffee Stop
Enjoy the vibrant heart of Melbourne on this private Classic Walking Tour. Discover the city’s hidden gems, from beautiful buildings to lively laneways, with the guidance of knowledgeable and friendly hosts, Ben and Bahman.
The flexible tour duration allows you to explore at your own pace, and the included coffee or tea break offers a chance to recharge in a picturesque setting.
Whether you’re seeking unique insights into Melbourne’s attractions or simply want to experience the city like a local, this private tour promises an enjoyable and enriching exploration.
With overwhelmingly positive reviews, it’s a must-try for those seeking the best walking experiences in Melbourne.
Read our full review: Melbourne Discovery Walking Tour With a Coffee Stop Review
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3 Hour Rainforest Walking Tour in Badger Creek
Nestled within the Yarra Ranges National Park, the 3-Hour Rainforest Walking Tour in Badger Creek promises an immersive experience amidst the lush, verdant landscapes of the region.
Beginning at the Badger Weir Picnic Area, the tour takes participants on a moderate 3-hour hike through the enchanting rainforest.
With a maximum group size of 12 travelers, the tour offers an intimate and personalized experience.
However, it’s important to note that the tour isn’t wheelchair accessible and may not be suitable for pregnant travelers or those with heart conditions or serious medical concerns.
While reviews indicate an isolated incident where the tour wasn’t properly executed, the host has responded with an apology and a refund for the affected traveler.
Read our full review: 3 Hour Rainforest Walking Tour in Badger Creek Review
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Guided Chocolate Walking Tour in Melbourne City
Embarking on the Guided Chocolate Walking Tour in Melbourne City, visitors can expect an immersive exploration of the city’s vibrant chocolate scene.
With a maximum group size of 20, the intimate tour provides personal guidance from knowledgeable local experts, who share insights into Melbourne’s secrets. Participants will enjoy a minimum of 6 chocolate tastings, plus a delectable dessert, accompanied by snacks and special in-store offers.
The 2-hour experience starts at St Paul’s Cathedral and ends at Scoopy Central, with the tour being stroller-accessible and allowing service animals.
Praised for its exceptional quality, the tour has earned a Badge of Excellence and 100% recommendation from travelers.
Read our full review: Guided Chocolate Walking Tour in Melbourne City Review
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Melbourne City Highlights Walking Tour
Exploring the vibrant heart of Melbourne, the Melbourne City Highlights Walking Tour immerses participants in the city’s iconic landmarks and hidden gems.
Led by professional local guides, the private tour showcases the best of Melbourne, including the Royal Botanic Gardens and the historic Old Melbourne Gaol.
While the gaol admission ticket isn’t included, the tour offers a light local snack to keep guests energized throughout the experience.
Accessible for wheelchair users and with service animals allowed, the tour is conveniently located near public transportation, making it an ideal choice for most travelers.
Guests can reserve now and pay later, with a free cancellation policy up to 24 hours before the tour starts.
Read our full review: Melbourne City Highlights Walking Tour Review
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Urban Vintage Walking Tour
The Urban Vintage Walking Tour by Show Me Melbourne takes travelers on a captivating 3-hour journey through the city’s vibrant vintage scene.
Visitors will meet the tour guide at St Paul’s Cathedral, where they’ll embark on an immersive exploration of Melbourne’s charming vintage shops and hidden gems.
With a maximum of 10 participants, the tour offers a customized shopping experience led by a local expert.
Though not wheelchair accessible, the tour is stroller-friendly and welcomes service animals.
Participants should be aware it’s not recommended for children under 15.
Read our full review: Urban Vintage Walking Tour Review
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Complete City Walking Tour From Melbourne
Frequently, visitors to Melbourne find the Complete City Walking Tour an excellent way to gain a comprehensive understanding of the city’s landmarks and cultural highlights.
This 2.5-hour small-group tour, limited to 15 travelers, covers landmark sights and hidden gems. Participants can experience Melbourne’s renowned coffee culture at a local café and stop by a classic Aussie pub for a local beer.
The tour starts and ends at the Gordon Reserve, with the guide easily identifiable by a blue umbrella near the fountain.
While it’s not recommended for those with certain medical conditions, most travelers can participate in this informative and engaging overview of Melbourne.
Read our full review: Complete City Walking Tour From Melbourne Review
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Break Down
Melbourne offers a diverse range of walking tours that cater to diverse interests. From true crime and hidden bars to historical sights and chocolate tasting, there’s a tour to suit every traveler. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a local, these walking tours provide an engaging and informative way to explore the city’s vibrant culture, rich history, and unique local gems.