Best Walking Tours in Melbourne (Updated 2023)

posted: 16/3/23 | March 16, 2023

Known for its restaurant and coffee scene, Melbourne is popular with backpackers (which is why I love it so much!). It has charming and funky neighborhoods, and streets lined with inspiring shops and cafes. You can take advantage of its amazing nightlife, from quiet nights in wine bars to dancing to sunrise in bustling clubs. It's also near the wine-centric Yarra Valley. There's lots to see and do here.

Melbourne is considered the “cultural capital” of the country and the best way to see why is to take a walking tour.

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

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

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

1. Melbourne Street Tour

Street art has become a worldwide phenomenon in the last decade or so. Every major city on the planet has amazing street art and murals to admire—and Melbourne is no exception. As well as taking you down some lesser-known alleyways, this tour concludes in the artist's studio warehouse, so you can learn how these incredible works are made.

The tour starts at 49 AUD.

2. Depot Adventures Hidden Bar Tour

Melbourne is filled with little, sometimes hidden lanes that host some of the less well-known spots. And this, of course, includes bars. This three hour tour takes you down a back street to find four hidden pubs. Expert local guides will not only regale you with tales of Melbourne's bar scene but also tell you about the city's history. Be sure to come thirsty!

The tour starts at 58 AUD.

3.Melbourne Walks

For more than three decades, Melbourne Walks has led the tour. Whatever your interests, there's bound to be an interesting tour: there are tours focused on crime, for example, backlane and arcade excursions, and tours focused on topics such as architecture, literature, social justice, historic pubs, and individual historical figures. If you are looking for something niche, start here.

The tour starts from 70 AUD.

4. Aboriginal Heritage Road

Through the Royal Botanical Gardens, you can travel through Melbourne and see it from an Aboriginal perspective — specifically the Kulin people. Every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday at 11am, visitors are shown the traditional uses of tools, medicine, plants and food, as well as the rich and fascinating history and culture of First Nations Australia. It's very informative!

The tour starts from 40 AUD.

5. Blue Tongue Bicycle

This bike tour is a great eco-friendly way to get around the city. You'll get a complete view of Melbourne, seeing all the main attractions while learning about its history, from the early Aboriginal period through its founding to the present day. During breaks, expert local guides provide tips on what else to do and where to eat in the Melbourne area.

The tour starts from 65 AUD.

6. Lantern Ghost Tour

For a glimpse into Melbourne's spooky past, join a ghost tour. For 90 minutes, you will travel back to the 19th century and explore the city's haunted locations. You'll wander narrow alleys, marvel at haunted historic buildings and hear all kinds of spooky stories from Melbourne's past and present.

The tour starts at 26 AUD.

7. Intrepid Urban Adventure

Of course, Melbourne has one of the best — if not the best — places to eat in Australia. But if you like to eat on the go, you can get another perspective on a place's food landscape by visiting a market. The 2.5 hour Intrepid Multicultural Market Culinary Tour is designed to help you discover the richness and diversity of the city's food markets. It celebrates Melbourne's food culture, stopping at, among other things, the famous Queen Victoria Market, Australia's largest open-air market. You'll meet the vendors, sample their products and leave with a full stomach and a deeper knowledge of Melbourne's culinary diversity.

The tour starts at 58 AUD.

Taking a walking tour of Melbourne is the best way to start your visit. You'll connect with local guides, see key sights and learn about the city's diverse cultural landscape. Whether you're a foodie or a cocktail lover, a history buff, or an e-bike enthusiast, there's a tour here for you. Remember to tip your guide at the end!