Top Melbourne Historical Tours - page 2

This is the story of the Abbotsford Convent, told through the women who lived it. Women and girls whose daily lives were shaped by this place, and whose work, obedience, friendships, and resilience helped keep it running. On this two-hour walk, you’ll move through the grounds where girls woke before dawn to work in the laundries, where silence and routine were used as discipline, and where care often came with control. You’ll learn how young women were separated from their families, how unpaid labour supported the institution, and how faith shaped everyday life inside the Convent. But this is not only a story of harm. You’ll also encounter quieter, human moments. Friendships formed under watchful eyes. Moments of dignity found in difficult conditions. Girls supporting one another within a system far bigger than themselves. This tour is a powerful window into how places like the Abbotsford Convent shaped lives, communities, and the country far beyond its gates.

Uncover Melbourne's spookier side on this ghost tour of the city center. Hear ghostly tales that span the history of the city, passing by Queen Victoria Market, the Old Melbourne Gaol, Chinatown, and more. While walking between locations, pause for a drink (own expense) at three bars—each with their own creepy tale. A must-do for any fan of the macabre when visiting Melbourne.

At 38 hectares, it can take a long time to see all of Melbourne’s beautiful Royal Botanic Gardens by foot. This minibus tour offers a perfect solution for visitors wishing to take in the gardens’ natural beauty in just 30 minutes.

Step back in time and explore downtown Melbourne’s gangster past. Discover buildings along Lonsdale Street that were once brothels and speakeasies from the 1870s to the 1930s. Hear myths and legends about the famous gangsters of the era such as Squizzy Taylor and the slum of ‘Little Lon,’ and how these gangs used lolly shops—candy stores—as fronts for massive drug operations.

Closer to Victoria’s gold rush era of the 1850s than most tourists in the 21st century ever will be with this trip to the Sovereign Hill open-air museum. Ditch the hustle and bustle of Melbourne and immerse yourself in local history with the help of characters in period costumes before you watch a Redcoat Parade, live musket firing, and try your luck panning for gold.

Embark on a captivating journey through Melbourne’s iconic laneways and landmarks with our interactive self-guided tour app. From the creative street art in Hosier Lane to the grand arcades that echo the city’s eclectic energy, this tour paints a rich picture of Australia’s cultural hub. Ideal for history enthusiasts, art admirers, and curious explorers, our app offers in-depth audio guides, intriguing context, and intuitive maps that bring Melbourne’s story to life. Take a moment to sip coffee at a local cafe or linger in a gallery at your leisure. With offline access and up-to-date navigation, you’ll confidently discover the city’s architectural highlights, distinctive eateries, and artistic spots, gaining a deeper appreciation of Melbourne’s dynamic character. Meet friendly locals and catch unique events throughout the year for an immersive experience.

Explore the rich history and natural beauty of Ballarat on this one-day tour from Melbourne. Begin your journey with a visit to either the serene Ballarat Lake and Botanical Gardens, a stunning landscape featuring lush greenery and seasonal blooms, or get up close with native Australian wildlife at Ballarat Zoo. Experience the thrill of stepping into the 19th century at the Shufenshan Gold Mine Ancient Town, including an underground tour and an exciting gold melting performance. This tour is perfect for families and nature enthusiasts alike. - Choose between the picturesque Ballarat Lake & Botanical Gardens or the interactive Ballarat Zoo. - Enjoy a guided exploration of the historic Shufenshan Gold Mine, complete with a mine truck ride. - Experience the gold rush era with actors in period costumes and authentic street settings. - Convenient pick-up from multiple locations in Melbourne, ensuring an easy start to your adventure.

Whatever sport you follow, you’re sure to enjoy touring Melbourne’s sporting venues. The Australian city is big on sports, as you’ll learn on this walking tour that covers about 5 miles (9 kilometers). From the National Tennis Centre to Olympic Park, Australian footie grounds and the famous Melbourne Cricket Ground, you’ll get an insight into all facets of Melbourne’s sporting culture. Take photos at iconic venues and relive sporting history through your guide’s stories. A must for all sports fans.

Explore Werribee Mansion,the most luxurious and magnificent mansion in Victoria in the 19th century. Visit Ballarat,enjoy a complete town tour of this gracious city with its exquisite gardens and noble statues, Visit Sovereign Hill, it is an authentic recreation of an 1850s gold mining town you can experience Gold panning in Red Gully Creek， self-guided tours of the Red Hill Mine and discover life underground， Witness original working conditions and demonstrations of early mining equipment,explore the many original shops, and thers is a Chinese Village - highlighting Chinese involvement in the goldfields.

Let one simple booking sort out a whole day’s worth of Melbourne sightseeing and get a unique first-hand experience with not just Aussie nature, but a piece of its history too on this Puffing Billy, forest, and Yarra Valley combo tour. Start by hopping aboard the over-100-year-old railway, before walking around huge Californian Redwoods, then finish the trip with a glass of wine at a Yarra Valley winery.

Experience the scenic Yarra Valley on the Puffing Billy train. This full-day trip takes you through the Dandenong Ranges to Emerald Lake, the Healesville Sanctuary Zoo, and the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery. At the last stop you can enjoy free samples and chocolate shopping. This trip starts and ends at The Hotel Windsor in Melbourne.

Visitors often miss some of Melbourne’s best attractions because they don’t know how to reach the city's outer locations. This full-day tour makes visiting easy by handling the transport for you. Travel from the city out to the Dandenong Ranges to ride the famous Puffing Billy steam train, then go see all sorts of native Australian wildlife at Healesville Sanctuary.

The site of over 130 executions since it opened in 1841, the Old Melbourne Gaol is one of the city’s most popular museums. Ensure entry even over busy periods, such as weekends, Easter, and the Australian summer vacation, by booking tickets in advance. Once you’re there, follow in the footsteps of notorious outlaw Ned Kelly and discover the tragic stories that brought criminals to their doom.

Guarantee your entrance to the Australian Sports Museum by purchasing this general entry pass ahead of time. Whether you’re a fan of cricket, rugby, athletics, or one of the many other sports that Australia excels at, there's a lot to keep both kids and adults interested. From December 16, 2025, to August 9, 2026, a special Warne: Treasures of a Legend exhibit is available by prior arrangement due to limited capacity.

Raise a glass to Melbourne's history while bar-hopping among some of the area's best watering holes, without worrying about navigating. Hear tales of the Gold Rush, rebellions, royals, and Olympians while a fun-loving guide shows you how locals unwind. Visit a range of venues—from a typical Aussie pub, a hidden speakeasy, or a cozy wine bar—for a safe and social way to partake in Melbourne's famous bar scene while meeting fellow travelers.

Get a taste of Melbourne on a foodie walking tour of the 19th-century Queen Victoria Market. Enjoy a personalized experience with a guide and small group as you browse the myriad stalls and mingle with locals and vendors. Enjoy tastings of delicious seasonal delicacies, such as fresh seafood, grilled peppered kangaroo, local goat-milk cheese, fresh dips, and gelato. Bring your own drink bottle to refill at stations in the market.

Discover the natural delights of Phillip Island with an eco-tour from Melbourne. See the iconic Brighton Beach bathing boxes, visit the beach and take some time to admire these historic landmarks. Head to the Moonlit Sanctuary Conservation Park for an up-close encounter with kangaroos, wallabies, koalas, and other native Australian wildlife. Finish the day at a local beach where you can watch hundreds of some of the world's tiniest penguins waddle out of the ocean and across the sand to their burrows.

Experience the best of the City in three hours: our famous laneways, our coolest bars and our fascinating history. Why do three different tours, when you can get the best of Melbourne in just one! Explore Melbourne’s famous laneways, home to some of our most interesting places. This is the side of Melbourne most tourists (and even some locals!) never see. Learn about Melbourne’s love affair with drinking, the persecution of barmaids, our booziest Police Commissioner, secret men’s clubs and much more. Discover three amazing laneway bars, plus a cheeky trivia quiz at our second bar for your chance to win! Photos of your tour can also be provided at no extra charge.

PLEASE NOTE: This is a self-guided audio tour It’s time to ditch the disinterested guides and drive-by stops: hear the stories of Melbourne direct from the locals on this easy-going app-based audio tour. Walk around the central city at your own pace to find out what makes Melbourne tick. Hear from a local producer as well as special guests who shared interesting facts about the city. Choose to do the tour all at once or take your time with the unlimited use feature.

Discover Melbourne's bar scene, including "hidden" bars you won't find in any guidebooks, on this small-group bar-hopping tour. Visit several venues for cocktails, Australian wine, and beer, stopping into a classic pub, a speakeasy-style cocktail bar tucked into the laneway, a wine bar with options from the nearby Yarra Valley, and another bar selected by your guide depending on your group’s interests. Your first drink is included, plus get tips for additional places to visit on your own.

The Grampians sit a few hours west of Melbourne, with waterfalls, lookouts, and wildlife spread across the park—hard to link by self-driving. Ride out in a small group with the route handled, stopping at the gold-rush town of Ballarat before a bushwalk to Silverband Falls. Watch for kangaroos at Halls Gap, hike to the Grand Canyon rock formation, and take in MacKenzie Falls before the return.

Explore the exquisite gardens of Como House in South Yarra on a guided tour that delves into its rich social history and stunning heritage. Spanning almost six acres, these gardens, originally designed by Victorian landscaper William Sangster, feature mature trees, the charming Kitchen Garden, and the unique Elias Stone Garden. Led by knowledgeable National Trust Guides, this 45-minute experience showcases the botanical beauty and dedication of the garden's caretakers. Perfect for history enthusiasts and nature lovers alike, this tour provides an intimate look at one of Melbourne's beloved heritage sites.

On this easy walking tour, you get great value - learning about Melbourne's history AND getting a professional photo shoot of yourself in one experience. This tour is for visitors and locals alike; and is a great opportunity if you have guests visiting and want to buy them a unique experience. Your guide is a professional photographer and local guide with intimate knowledge of Melbourne. On this tour, I will show you stunning architecture, narrate little-known stories of the colorful, brave, and notorious characters that made Melbourne the richest city in the world in the 1880s, and show you old photos and drawings to illustrate what Melbourne was like in the 1800s. Finally, I will shoot professional photographs of you in front of Melbourne's most iconic buildings and views. Within 48 hours of the end of the tour, you will receive high-resolution edited images to download. Additionally, young people below 15 years old can come along for FREE when accompanied by adults.

Come on an amazing trip back in time to Melbourne's Chinatown from c.1850s to the 1950s. Receive a free tour booklet with images of the characters discussed, original police-drawn crime maps, confiscated gambling paraphernalia and other evidence from 100+ years ago. Hear the stories of police raids for opium, illegal gambling, and other lawbreaking activities. Hear stories of blackmail, gang war, and police corruption. Your tour guide has been researching Melbourne's Chinatown via the original police files for over 15 years and delivers the old stories from original source material. Opium, gambling, speakeasies, blackmail, riots, police corruption.