Melbourne Walking Tour
Our main tour. Laneways, street art and the landmarks of the city, with the stories behind them. Starts and finishes in the heart of the CBD, beginning at Federation Square.
Book the 11am or 2pm tourFree walking tour · Melbourne
Walk Melbourne like a local.
Come see all the amazing sights that Melbourne has to offer with a local guide. Book your spot for free, then pay what you feel at the end!
- Daily, Morning and Afternoon
- About 2 hours
- Federation Square
- Free to bookNo upfront cost, no booking fee
- Every dayMorning and Afternoon tours
- Led by localsGuides who live in the city
- Pay what you feelGuides are paid in voluntary tips
How it works
You only pay if you enjoyed the tour, and you decide how much.
Reserve your spot
Pick a day and time online. It takes a minute and costs nothing.
Find the orange umbrella
Meet your guide at the meeting spot. The orange umbrella is how you spot the group.
Tip what you feel
At the end, give your guide whatever the tour was worth to you. That is how guides are paid.
Choose your tour
Pick the walk that fits your day. All tours are in English.
Express Tour
A shorter afternoon tour. It starts outside the State Library and finishes at Federation Square around 4pm.
Book the Express tourPrivate Tours
Led by passionate locals, for your own group. We also accommodate private tours and events. To sort out a private tour, email us and we'll find a time that suits you.
freetourmelbourne@gmail.comGood to know
Is the tour really free?
Yes. Booking costs nothing. At the end of the tour you pay your guide whatever you feel it was worth. Guides are paid only through voluntary tips.
Where do we meet?
The 11am and 2pm tour meets at Federation Square in Melbourne. Look for the guide with the orange umbrella. The 2:30pm Express tour starts outside the State Library.
How long does it take?
The 11am tour runs for about 2 hours. The Express tour starts at 2:30pm and finishes at Federation Square at about 4pm.
What language are the tours in?
English.
Can I book a private tour or event?
Yes. We run private tours and events for groups. Email us at freetourmelbourne@gmail.com to sort out a private tour.
How do I book?
Choose a tour above and press its book button. You pick your date and time on our booking page and you get a confirmation email straight away.
About us
Take a 2-hour tour of Melbourne’s historic centre and see the key sights, hear fascinating stories, and discover some hidden details. Follow your guide through Melbourne’s bustling city center, hearing the unique stories of Victoria’s capital.
One of Melbourne’s only locally owned and operated tour companies, this tour promises to offer stories unheard of anywhere else and an insightful experience. We can promise you’ll walk away learning a lot and with a smile on your face.
Starting every day from Federation Square at 11am, you’ll walk through the bustling streets of Melbourne’s centre, explore hidden arcades and uncover the intriguing, odd and fascinating. With independent, passionate guides leading all tours, there is something for all interests on our walking tour of Melbourne!
Our guides
Local people who love this city and like showing it off.
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Frank
GuideRaised in Bendigo and living in Melbourne for about eight years, guiding for three. A sports fan who built his own tour of Melbourne's underground and lesser-known past. Melbourne is his favourite city in the world.
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Sam
GuideGuiding since 2021, first in Germany and now in Melbourne. Knows the city's landmarks, neighbourhoods and hidden gems, and as experienced as it gets.
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Toby
GuideRaised in Bendigo and moved to Melbourne about seven years ago. Studied law, and has a particular interest in the city's music scene.
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George
GuideBorn and raised in Melbourne, with over 25 years of watching the city change. Studies International Studies and follows the Geelong Cats.
Meeting point
Easy to find
The 11am and 2pm tours meet on the steps of Federation Square, at the corner of Swanston and Flinders Streets, across from Flinders Street Station. Your guide holds an orange umbrella so you can spot the group in the crowd.
The Express tour starts outside the State Library on Swanston Street and ends at Federation Square.
Map data © Google
The route
This is our general route, starting at Federation Square.
- Federation Square
- Yarra River
- Flinders Street Station
- St Paul's Cathedral
- Hosier Lane
- Degraves Street
- Melbourne Town Hall
- Block Arcade
- Royal Arcade
- Bourke Street Mall
- Chinatown
- Melbourne Central and Coop's Shot Tower
- State Library of Victoria
- Old Melbourne Gaol
- Melbourne City Baths
- Queen Victoria Market