5 History Tours in Melbourne, From Cheapest Up

1.Ultimate Melbourne Walking Tour: History, Laneways & Culture

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,451 reviews · from $92Our pick

Walk Melbourne with a local English-speaking guide in a group of no more than 12. See Federation Square, Hosier Lane or nearby street art, arcades, Chinatown, the Yarra, Old Melbourne Gaol, and more. You also receive a Melbourne coffee, a final drink, a map, and practical tips for the rest of your stay.

“It was an amazing tour and the tour guide was great at teaching and very funny. It wasn’t any ordinary tour because of how many fun things we got to do along the way and how it wasn’t all about the history while still getting to learn so many awesome things. I would totally recommend this tour to anyone looking for a great time in Melbourne, Australia!”

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2.Puffing Billy Railway: Heritage Steam Train Journey

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 1,195 reviews · 2 - 4 hours · from $29Best value

Ride Puffing Billy, a preserved steam railway built in 1900, through the Dandenong Ranges east of Melbourne. Choose a journey from Belgrave or Lakeside, enjoy the famous sill-side seating between Belgrave and Lakeside, and allow 2 to 4 hours for the train and Emerald Lake Park area.

“The journey was just as eventful as I had hoped for and I do it again”

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3.Ultimate Melbourne Walking Tour: History, Laneways & Culture

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 338 reviews · 3 hours · from $91

Walk Melbourne’s central streets with a local English-speaking guide such as Hugo, Emily, Beau or Ian. See Gold Rush architecture, Hosier Lane, arcades, Chinatown, Flinders Street Station and the Yarra, with a coffee stop and a pub drink included. Groups are capped at 12.

“This tour was a great way to get a taste of Melbourne, its history, architecture and hidden gems. Emily shared stories of the city she grew up in and showed us places we would never have discovered on our own. We enjoyed ourselves so much we barely noticed the rain! The authentic Melbourne coffee and pub visit were a nice touch. Highly recommended.”

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4.Aboriginal Heritage Walk – Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, Melbourne Gardens

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 314 reviews · from $30

Join an Aboriginal guide such as Uncle Den, Jacobi, or Ben for a 90-minute walk through Melbourne Gardens. You’ll learn how native plants served food, medicine, and cultural purposes on Kulin Country, with time to smell leaves, touch bark, hear stories, and enjoy lemon myrtle tea. The tour begins at 11:00 am.

“Great tour. Informative and casual. The guide was great. It was in a gorgeous environment. The group was great.”

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5.History and Donuts Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 72 reviews · 2h 30m · from $77

Walk from Federation Square through Hosier Lane, Degraves Street, Collins Street, Hardware Lane, Queen Victoria Market, and the Old Melbourne Gaol. An English-speaking guide combines Melbourne history, street art, coffee, and two donuts in a small group of up to 10. Guides may include Rhiannon, Rhonda, Tony, Miles, Matt, or Ant.

“Great historical narrative showing the laneways as well as the main thoroughfares and the street art as well as the conventional - introduces the essence of Melbourne including its coffee and donuts”

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