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If you’re looking to get acquainted with Melbourne, then a walking tour is a great way to go about it! And as far as we’re concerned, this 3-hour tour is the best of the bunch.
I’m Australian and Bailey and I often visit Melbourne together. And as long-time travel bloggers, we love trying out new tours, so we’ve done more than we can count. But only one can be the best, so we’re going to give you the lowdown on this super comprehensive walking tour of the city to help you decide whether or not it’s the right one for you to book.
What walking tour did I do in Melbourne?
We did this 3-hour walking tour of Melbourne, which started at Gordon Reserve Park in the city center. We really liked the look of its itinerary, which covers everything from Melbourne’s famous lanes and arcades to historic landmarks and vibrant Chinatown.
We wanted a tour that would cover it all, and this one certainly delivered!
Another reason that we were so keen to book this tour is because it has over 1,000 5-star ratings (read the reviews here!). After reading the glowing reviews, we were excited to try this tour out for ourselves.
And I’ll be honest with you, the fact that the tour includes a complimentary coffee and a beer at the end didn’t hurt, either! We also liked that groups are capped at 12 people, because we usually find that small group tours are more personal and fun, and it’s usually easier to hear what your guide is saying.
Book this walking tour here to get FREE cancellation!
What I loved about this tour
Small group tour
We pretty much always prefer to do small group tours if possible, and this is especially true with walking tours. On a big group tour, it’s harder to hear your guide and you often miss a lot along the way. But with this tour, we were able to ask our guide lots of questions, and it just felt like exploring with a few friends rather than being herded around the city.
Fun and informative guides
We have to give a shoutout to our fantastic guide, Hugo. He had so much passion for the city of Melbourne and his enthusiasm was contagious! He was super personable and made everyone on the tour feel welcome. We thought that he kept the pace just right so the tour was dynamic and interesting, without feeling rushed.
Coffee and beer are included!
If there are two things we love, it’s coffee and beer, and both are included on this tour! Melbourne is known for its coffee culture, so we were delighted when Hugo took us to his favorite spot for a pick-me-up. Then, we got to try a local beer at the end of the tour, which finished things off on a high note.
The perfect length of time
For us, 3 hours was the perfect length for this tour. It was easy to fit into our itinerary and long enough to give us a fantastic overview of Melbourne, without dragging on or taking up the entire day. It started at 11 am, so it didn’t require us to get up super early, either, and then we had the afternoon free to explore!
Fantastic reviews
This tour has over 1,000 5-star reviews, which played a big part in our decision to book it. We knew we were in good hands with this tour and reading all of the nice things that people had to say made us excited to experience it for ourselves.
Great way to get to know the city
This tour is an ideal way for first-timers in Melbourne to get their bearings in the city. Not only does it take you to all of the best areas and tick off lots of famous landmarks, but it also gives you a feel for the city’s vibe and character. In fact, we recommend booking this tour for your first day in Melbourne, so that you can get an idea of what the city is all about before continuing to explore by yourself.
Cover a lot of ground
We were very impressed by just how much ground we were able to cover on this tour. We visited many of Melbourne’s most charming and historic lanes and arcades, as well as lots of major landmarks and well-known neighborhoods. For that reason, this tour is an ideal choice for those who are short on time in Melbourne, because you get to see a ton!
Free cancellation options
When you book this tour through Viator, you get the option to reserve now and pay later, as well as free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start time. This allows you to stay flexible and gives you peace of mind that if your plans change, you won’t lose money. It also makes it easy to reschedule if the weather forecast is looking grim.
Related Read: If you aren’t in the city for long, check out our 2-day Melbourne itinerary for the can’t-miss places!
What top sights did I see on this tour?
I’ll be honest: we saw so much on this tour that if I listed it all, you’d be here all day! For the sake of brevity, I’ve listed the major attractions and hotspots that we saw on the tour, but rest assured, you will see a lot more along the way.
Hosier Lane
We loved Hosier Lane, which is a must-see spot in the Melbourne CBD, thanks to its colorful street art! This has been a hotspot for murals since the 1990s, and the graffiti here is technically still illegal, but that certainly doesn’t stop artists from showcasing their talent here.
Fed Square
Fed Square is an awesome art and event space in Melbourne, and I’m not exaggerating when I say that there is always something interesting going on here. It’s really beautiful and we thought Hugo did a great job of summarizing what this place is all about.
Flinders Street Station
Flinders Street Station is probably the most famous train station in Australia, and it’s also the busiest one in the southern hemisphere. It’s a bit of a Melbourne icon with its yellow, Victorian-era facade and big dome on top, and make sure to look out for the famous clocks underneath the entrance archway.
Royal and Block Arcades
Melbourne is famous for its quaint and charming arcades (aka covered walkways), and the Royal Arcade and Block Arcade are two of the best. With their beautiful Victorian architecture and wealth of boutique shops, it won’t take you long to understand why everyone raves about Melbourne’s arcades, I promise!
Old Melbourne Gaol
The Old Melbourne Gaol was one of my favorite stops on this tour, and if you love dark history or true crime, I’m pretty confident that you’ll feel the same. It’s Victoria’s oldest prison and many of Australia’s most notorious criminals were held here, including Ned Kelly.
AC/DC Lane
Another favorite stop of mine on this tour was AC/DC Lane, an alleyway covered in graffiti of the iconic Aussie band. It’s one of Melbourne’s quirkiest and most famous lanes, and it was so much fun checking out all of the murals down here.
Yarra River
Towards the end of the tour, we enjoyed a leisurely stroll along the riverbanks, which is always a pleasure! The Yarra River runs through the heart of the city and it’s a very scenic area, with many of Melbourne’s most famous buildings visible all around, so we really enjoyed this.
If you’re ready to book, reserve your spot on the walking tour here!
What I didn’t love about this tour
As a quick aside, I will say that we personally didn’t have any issues with this tour, but of course, it’s not a one-size-fits-all situation. There are a few potential downsides that mean this tour isn’t necessarily the best choice for everyone.
3 hours can become tiring
This is a walking tour and there aren’t many breaks. If you have mobility issues, joint pain, or just aren’t used to walking that much, you might find this tour too tiring. Three hours is quite a while to be on your feet!
Quick overview of a lot of stops
This tour is more of an overview than a deep dive. It’s ideal for those who want to see a lot of different places and get their bearings in Melbourne, but if you want to explore a specific area or do an in-depth history tour, it’s probably not the best choice.
Would I do this tour again?
Yes, absolutely! Bailey and I had so much fun on this tour, and we think it’s the perfect way to get to know Melbourne.
We love this city and we think that this walking tour does a great job of summarizing what makes it special, so we highly recommend it and would definitely do it again.
Related Read: For more recommendations, check out our top 5 tours in Melbourne that made us fall in love with the city!
Other Things to do in Melbourne
If you have a little extra time in your itinerary, we have even more epic Melbourne activities. You can check out our full list of the best things to do in Melbourne or check out our top recommendations below!
- Drive the Great Ocean Road – This 240-kilometer (150-mile) scenic drive follows the southern coastline and is one of the most epic things to do in Melbourne. We joined this guided tour so we could stop at the iconic areas, like the Twelve Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge, and Apollo Bay, while someone else did the driving so we could enjoy the views! This day trip from the city was our favorite Melbourne experience, it’s stunning and a great break from the bustling city.
- Cruise down the River – The Spirit of Melbourne Dinner Cruise isn’t just one of the best cruises in Australia, but one of our all-time favorites. It’s an all-inclusive experience with stunning sunset and nighttime views of Melbourne, unlimited drinks, and a four-course gourmet meal. Seriously, what’s not to love?
- Explore the Melbourne Gardens – The Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne is another great way to escape the city, without leaving city limits. This huge garden is home to over 8,500 species of plants and has been around for over 170 years. It’s simply gorgeous, and spending a few hours strolling through makes for a lovely afternoon. There are often special events going on, so check the website here before you go!
- Day trip to Phillip Island – Phillip Island is one of our favorite day trips from Melbourne because you can see the world’s largest Little Penguin Colony! Visiting here means seeing the famous “Penguin Parade” where hundreds of Little Penguins waddle back to their burrows. We took this organized tour, which also included stops at the Brighton Boxes and the Moonlit Sanctuary, where we got to hand-fed wallabies and see koalas!
- Explore St Kilda – This cute beach town is just 15 minutes from downtown Melbourne, and is a great place to grab a coffee and take in those ocean views! St Kilda is famous for its coffee scene, there are many to choose from – but our favorite is Galleon Cafe. If you’re visiting on the weekend, check out Esplanade Market for some unique souvenirs or Luna Park, super fun for families!
Where to Stay in Melbourne
If you’re planning to visit Melbourne, let us help you find a great place to stay. There’s something to fit every budget, so check out our top picks from luxury hotels to budget-friendly hostels. Here’s what you need to know!
The Langham Melbourne – $$$
For an elegant stay – think marble staircases, fountains, and chandeliers – The Langham Melbourne is the perfect place. The hotel is in the middle of Melbourne overlooking the Yarra River. You’ll get beautiful city views from the hotel’s restaurant and from the indoor pool. It’s also within walking distance of a number of top attractions.
Rooms here start at $300 – $400 AUD per night. Check availability and reserve a room here.
Grand Hotel Melbourne – $$
Stay in the Melbourne Central Business District at this historic hotel that has plenty of character. The studios and apartments at the Grand Hotel Melbourne give you more space than a typical hotel and even include a kitchen. You can also take advantage of the heated indoor pool and the fitness center with a sauna. Plus, it’s just a few minutes’ walk to Crown Casino, Southbank, Docklands, and more.
A studio starts at around $200 AUD per night and can be reserved through Booking.com here.
Space Hotel – $
You don’t have to sacrifice style for money at this hostel. The Space Hotel is a modern hostel with lots of extra guest amenities like a gym, a hot tub, and even a mini-theater. You can head to the rooftop terrace to relax and enjoy the views. The hostel is conveniently located in the Central Business District and is not far from the Queen Victoria Market and Chinatown.
Accommodation options include both private rooms and shared dorm rooms. A bed in a dorm starts at $55 AUD and private rooms begin at $100 AUD. You can reserve a spot in advance through Booking.com or HostelWorld.com.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance!
If you’re looking to save money on travel insurance, we currently use and recommend SafetyWing. We’ve been using their coverage since 2018 and they’ve had our backs when we needed emergency flights and got sick overseas.
SafetyWing is one of the cheapest providers out there and covers everything from medical costs to lost luggage, travel delays, and emergency flights. A huge difference we’ve found between them and other companies is that they let you take out a policy AFTER leaving your home country. We’ve also found it handy that it’s a monthly payment rather than a lump sum, and you can get a refund for unused time.
SafetyWing has helped us out in some scary situations before and their affordable coverage has given us peace of mind. You can read our honest review of SafetyWing for all the pros and cons.
Thanks for reading!
I hope this review of our favorite walking tour in Melbourne has been helpful! It gave us such a great overview of the city and helped us plan out the rest of our visit. We still come back to places in Melbourne we found on this tour!
If you’re planning a trip to Melbourne, check out all our blogs on Australia or a few below that I picked out that may come in handy!
18 Best Things to do in Melbourne at Night