Top 15 History Tours in Melbourne

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

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

Explore Melbourne’s laneways, arcades, landmarks, coffee culture, and history on a lively three-hour small-group walking tour.

“We were very lucky to have the lovely and knowledgeable Ian on our tour! The meeting place was by the big fountain at Gordon reserve opposite the Windsor hotel - you can spot the team holding blue umbrellas. We had a very small group on our tour six, a lovely family for and myself and my friend. Ian made the effort to get to know us a little so he could tailor some of the facts that he told us. The walking tour itself was fabulous and we saw lots of great architecture, arcades & street art. I live in Melbourne myself and my friend was visiting from the UK…”

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2.Puffing Billy Railway: Heritage Steam Train Journey

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

Ride Puffing Billy’s preserved steam train through the Dandenong Ranges, with scenic stops, Lakeside facilities, and the famous dangling-leg tradition.

“excellent well organised train ride, an amazing experience not to be missed, such witty, lovely staff members,”

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

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

Explore Melbourne’s Gold Rush past, laneways, coffee and pub culture on a 3-hour small-group walking tour with local guides.

“The tour was great - not overloaded with too much detailed information. Our guide Bo was knowledgeable, friendly and funny and made the trip”

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4.Melbourne Historical Walking Tour: Crime, Gangsters & Lolly Shops

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 137 reviews · from $35

Explore Melbourne’s Little Lon, sly grog dens, brothels and gangster lore on a witty, research-led two-hour walking tour.

“A very informative and interesting tour of Melbourne's history. You get to hear about the colourful people of the crime kings who ruled the streets.”

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5.Melbourne’s History with a Drink Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 81 reviews · from $35

Explore Melbourne’s Gold Rush past, laneway bars, speakeasies, and local drinking tips on this flexible three-hour walking tour.

“Tristan was a wonderful guide that was open to fit the experience to our tastes. A perfect blend of sightseeing, bars, and history. Thank you Melbourne!”

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6.History and Donuts Walking Tour

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

Explore Melbourne’s laneways, landmarks, coffee culture, and donut shops on a small-group history walk ending near State Library Victoria.

“I loved everything about the Melbourne History and Donuts Tour. Tony showed us some wonderful hidden gems of Melbourne as well as some of the iconic landmarks. His little stories and information were really interesting and informative. We are local to Melbourne and chose to use the tour to highlight our city to international guests. I learnt so much about our city and Tony did a much better job than I would have done on my own. It was very worthwhile.”

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7.History and Donuts Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 34 reviews · from $69

Explore Melbourne’s lanes, Chinatown, Queen Victoria Market, coffee, and donuts on a friendly small-group history walk.

“Bianca was a fun guide for this tour. We saw many of the big sites in Melbourne, most notably the laneway street art. It felt like we kind of wandered around the streets without really knowing where we were going, but there is so much to see that it was fun anyway.”

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8.City`s History and Unique Bar Scene Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 19 reviews · 3 hours · from $148

Explore Melbourne’s gold-rush past, laneways, Chinatown, and three local bars on a small-group history tour with drinks extra.

“A wonderful way to spend an afternoon, and Tristan took us to 3 fabulous places that we would never have found on our own. The history was an added bonus!”

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9.1 Hour Sight seeing Melbourne River Cruise on historic vessel

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 18 reviews · from $25Best value

Cruise Melbourne’s Yarra River aboard a vintage vessel for city views, live commentary, sunset photos, and a relaxed 70-minute outing.

“Ads and promotions were misleading. It did not meet expectations in many ways including a minimal commentary.”

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10.Melbourne Tour: Walk the Yarra & Heritage Convent Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 10 reviews · from $129

Walk Melbourne’s Yarra Bend Park, see flying foxes and Dights Falls, then visit Abbotsford Convent with local guide Chloe.

“The tour was amazing and our guide was so friendly and knowledgeable! I would recommend if you’re around the area or going for a day trip. I’ve been looking for a little getaway from the city for a while and this was exactly what I needed”

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11.Aboriginal Heritage Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.1 · 7 reviews · 1 hour · from $28

Explore Melbourne’s Kulin heritage on a one-hour walk from Federation Square to Birrarung Wilam, with hands-on artifacts at Koorie Heritage Trust.

“There was not substantial content shared, not enough walking area covered. In It felt like as if it was a way to extort money from tourists. In contrast, Free walking tours are exceptional.”

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12.Private Melbourne: Fitzroy, Collingwood, Culture, Coffee, History

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 7 reviews · from $62

Explore Fitzroy and Collingwood through coffee, Aboriginal and migrant history, street art, social enterprise, and a local pub.

“Very knowledgable guide, Tristan. Beautiful and fun neighborhood with lots of history that is still relevant today.”

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13.Melbourne Landmark City Tour. Your day Your way Your private tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6 reviews · from $178

Review of Melbourne’s private seven-hour city tour, with markets, gardens, Brighton Beach, St Kilda, arcades, street art, and optional Skydeck views.

“Our guide Karin has completely adapted the desired sights to our wishes. The communication in advance went smoothly. Despite the moderate weather we really enjoyed the nice tour. Thank you Karin.Auto-translated”

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14.Private Melbourne’s History with a Drink Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6 reviews · from $76

Explore Melbourne’s past through three bars, Chinatown, and Little Lon gin distillery on a private, flexible afternoon tour.

“A great afternoon in the city! Tristan was a wonderful host for our adventure, enlightening us with his many historical facts. We found so many hidden gems, great bars and amazing historical sites. Thank you for the experience!”

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15.Private Melbourne: Fitzroy Collingwood Culture & History

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews · 2 hours · from $120

Explore Fitzroy and Collingwood street art, migrant history, craft beer culture, social enterprise cafes, and Melbourne coffee on a private walk.

“Very informative walking tour, it was great to explore a neighborhood outside the downtown. Definitely a different perspective. Tristin was very informative and knowledgeable!”

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