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This post provides several free walking tours you can take in Melbourne, including outings that cover the history, culture, and some of the best landmarks to enjoy in the city.


OVERVIEW+SCHEDULE

Melbourne is one of the most historically and culturally significant cities in Australia, and there are a lot of interesting things to see and learn about while you’re here. There are a few different free walking tours available. 

Sunset - Melbourne CBD and the Yarra river

While the most popular options are sightseeing tours with information about the history of Melbourne, there are some services that go into detail about the art, architecture and other cultural factors that shaped this city.

In addition to these options, there are also some self-guided tours available that don’t cost a thing to enjoy.

Many of the outings listed on this post are pay-what-you-wish walking tours, which means they run on a tip-based basis. In other words, you get to decide what you feel the tour was worth after it is over.

Most guests feel comfortable tipping $10-$15, and these tours are very highly rated, so chances are that you’ll enjoy them enough to consider giving your guide a good tip.

 


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FREE HISTORIC SIGHTSEEING MELBOURNE TOURS 

This is arguably the most popular type of free walking tour provided in Melbourne, and it provides a look at some of the most notable and historic sites in the city.

While you’re discovering a variety of landmarks, you’ll also learn about the history of Melbourne and some of the best attractions, restaurants, and shopping locations.

Parliament House Melbourne

You can expect to make stops at some of the following areas in the city:

  • Federation Square
  • State Parliament
  • Flinders St. Station
  • Laneways & Arcades
  • State Library
  • Chinatown
  • And more!

If you want to see these sites and find out more about them, consider taking one of the free walking tours listed below.


Depot Adventures

This is one of the most well reviewed free walking tours in Melbourne, and the company has received an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars on TripAdvisor.

Old Treasury Building, Melbourne

In addition to covering the history of the city, tour guides will also provide recommendations about the best times to visit popular attractions.

You can take this 2 ½ hour pay-what-you-wish walking tour daily at either 11 am or 15:00 (3 pm). 

Book this tour or learn more.


I’m Free Tours

If you’re looking for an alternative, this is another well reviewed free walking tour which includes stops at many historic sites in Melbourne.

Royal Exhibition Building in Carlton Gardens

Much like their competitors, this company also has a 5 out of 5 star rating on TripAdvisor, and reviewers indicate they are great with families and children.

This 2 ½ - 3 hour pay-what-you-wish walking tour is available every day at 10:30 am and 14:30 (2:30 pm).

Find out more or book this tour.


Paid Historic Sightseeing Melbourne Tours

There are a lot of great paid sightseeing and history tours you can take in this city, including a variety of cruises, walking tours, bus tours and more.

A Flat boat cruiser is seen cruising along the Yarra River in Melbourne

Many of these outings are also either limited to small groups or private tours, and some of them are longer than 4 hours, so there are several reasons to consider your options before settling on a free walking tour.

Check this list of paid Melbourne sightseeing and historic tours to find a service that fits your schedule.

 


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FREE CULTURAL MELBOURNE TOURS 

Discover the alternative and artistic side of Melbourne on a free cultural walking tour of the city. There is currently at least one pay-what-you-wish tour which covers this subject.

While on this outing, you can expect to see and learn about a variety of architecture, street art, hidden laneways, arcades and more.

Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Melbourne

You can also expect to learn about some of the following topics:

  • Hidden Bars
  • Coffee Culture
  • Live Music Scene
  • Indigenous Culture
  • Protests & Entrepreneurs
  • And more!

Explore the cultural factors that have helped to shape this city by taking one of the free walking tours listed below.


I’m Free Tours

Unlike their history and sightseeing tour, this service visits some of the lesser known locations in Melbourne while also providing cultural information about the city.

The Street Art Canvas on Hosier Lane - Melbourne

As we mentioned previously, this company currently has an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars, and reviewers indicate that their guides will show you areas of the city that even locals may not know about.

This tour is available every day from April - September at 15:00 (3 pm) and daily from October - March at 18:00 (6 pm).

Book the tour or learn more.


Paid Cultural Melbourne Tours

While there aren’t any other pay-what-you-wish tours that provide a look at the cultural background of this city, you can take a paid tour of Melbourne which covers a variety of interesting subjects.

Topics of these tours include street art, aboriginal culture, sports, coffee culture, architecture, and even some of the best food you’ll find in the city.

Rod Laver Arena

 

Ticket prices range from $20-$80 on average, and many of these services feature small group sizes, ensuring you’ll receive more personal attention from your tour guide.

Take a look at this list of paid cultural Melbourne tours to find an option that fits both your interests and schedule.

 


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SELF-GUIDED MELBOURNE TOURS

If you’re looking for an alternative to pay-what-you-want walking tours, there are a handful of self-guided tours provided by the City of Melbourne.

These outings cover a variety of subjects and locations throughout the city, including both cultural and historic sites and landmarks.

Block Arcade

Here are the free self-guided tours currently available:

  • Street Art
  • A Walk In The Park
  • Melbourne Music Walk
  • Arcades and Laneways
  • Aboriginal Melbourne Walk

Each of these guides includes a map you can use to find every stop, and you can either download them on your smartphone or get printed guides at the visitor centres of Melbourne Town Hall, Bourke Street, Fitzroy Gardens or Queen Victoria Market.

Find out more about these self-guided tours of Melbourne.

 


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