Melbourne

Melbourne Lanes and Arcades Walking Tour

Melbourne, Australia
Melbourne Lanes and Arcades Walking Tour

From $86.73

Select Date and Travelers

up to 6 days in advance

  • 3 hours
  • Mobile ticket
  • Offered in: English

Overview

Explore Melbourne’s charming laneways and opulent arcades on a small-group walking tour. Uncovered tucked-away gems like specialty boutiques and local fashion designers, and savor Melbourne’s café culture with a stop for coffee or tea, a chocolate tasting and an optional lunch at a local eatery. Tour numbers are limited to eight people to ensure a personalized experience.
  • Discover a little history, architecture, street art, small business and more
  • Enjoy a cup of coffee or tea in the laneways and indulge yourself with a chocolate tasting
  • Enjoy a gourmet lunch with a glass of wine (if option selected)
  • Small group numbers ensure a personalized experience

What's Included

  • Small-group of maximum 8 people
  • Chocolate tasting
  • Stop for Coffee, Tea or Hot Chocolate
  • Professional local guide
  • Confirmed departures with min of 4 people, we welcome solo travellers
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Food and drinks, unless specified
  • Gratuities

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

  • Time Out Fed Square
    2 Swanston St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia

    Outside " Time Out Cafe" on the lower steps in Federation Square, NEAR the corner of Flinders Street, & Swanston Street -- opposite Flinders Street Train station. Directions: Look for our guide holding a large yellow umbrella Return point: Concludes in central CBD area

End point

  • Flinders Lane
    Flinders Ln, Melbourne VIC 3004, Australia

    The tour usually ends in Flinders Lane - Near the start point --- within one block from the starting point

What To Expect

Get a local’s perspective into the history, art, and culture of Melbourne with this half-day, small-group walking tour. Along with an expert guide and no more than eight people, wander the maze of Melbourne’s iconic laneways and arcades to discover a treasure trove of unique architecture, art, boutiques, and cafés.

Step inside the opulent Royal Arcade to window-shop the upscale boutiques the line this elegant, Old World indoor avenue. For a modern contrast, admire the vibrant street art along Hosier Lane and other alleys while learning about Melbourne’s robust art scene. 

Follow the aromas of roasted coffee beans and fresh-baked goods through a series of charming laneways bursting with small sidewalk cafés and eateries. Enjoy a steaming cup of Melbourne’s famous coffee, and indulge your sweet side with a chocolate tasting. If you choose an optional upgrade, finish your tour with a delicious lunch and glass of wine at a local café. 

Leave your tour with a special goodie bag in hand and many ideas for local spots to revisit on your own.

Hidden Secrets Tours

3 hours • Admission Ticket Free

Federation Square

Admission Ticket Free

Block Arcade

Admission Ticket Free

Royal Arcade

Admission Ticket Free

Degraves Street

Admission Ticket Free

Hosier Lane

Admission Ticket Free

Additional Info

  • Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
  • Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Stroller accessible
  • Service animals allowed
  • Near public transportation
  • Infants must sit on laps
  • Most travelers can participate
  • If you have mobility or access concerns please advise at time of booking to ensure we can adapt suitably. We may not be able to if not known at least 24 hours prior
  • This tour is suitable for ages 14 and over. Not ideal for toddlers/infants
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 8 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 6 days in advance of the experience for a full refund.

  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 6 full days before the experience’s start time.
  • Any changes made less than 6 full days before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
  • For a 50% refund, you must cancel 2–6 full days before the experience’s start time.
  • If you cancel less than 2 full days before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 2 full days before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
  • This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
  • This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

Traveler Photos

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Reviews

4.5
337 reviews
Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews
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0
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Reviews by Viator travelers.
Showing 1-10 of 337 reviews
Hidden Treasures
Mandy_N, May 2024
Thought we knew quite a bit about Melbourne but discovered so much more on this walking tour. Came across places we were totally unaware of. Our guide, Melinda, was friendly, well informed and obviously took great pleasure showing us so many hidden treasures.
We had a wonderful time...
Olga_G, Apr 2024
We had a wonderful time during the tour. Melbourne now looks much more familiar and attractive. Thank you!
Great lanes and arcades tour
Gillian_S, Mar 2024
Dee was an amazing guide - welcoming, friendly and full of information about the history of Melbourne. She showed us lots of street art in the Lanes and walked us through the beautiful arcades. The hot chocolate stop was to die for. A great first tour to do if you’ve never been to Melbourne. She was full of tips about how to use trans/trains etc and we received a very useful map as well 😊
Response from Host, Apr 2024
Thank you Gillian for your review. We are so pleased to hear you enjoyed the walk and the hot chocolate. We hope you had fun exploring our city and riding the trams.
Not as advertised.
Janet_C, Feb 2024
The guide was knowledgeable and delightful, however, this tour was advertised as a lanes and arcades tour. There were very few lanes. I could have done without the hot chocolate break in exchange for more lanes. I felt short-changed in this regard. We actually broke off early in order to go explore more lanes on our own.
Response from Host, Apr 2024
Hello Janet, Thank you for taking the time to review our tour. We are so pleased to hear you enjoyed our guide Dee she is a lot of fun. As the heat was a factor that day we understand a hot chocolate may not have been needed but the stop also allows the use of bathroom and for guests to ask questions and converse. Many of our hidden laneways are near the end of the tour so we are sorry to say you may have missed some of the best by breaking off early. We hope you had fun exploring our city.
Enjoyable tour
Melissa_E, Feb 2024
Our guide was very knowledgable and showed us some places I never would have found on my own, I really enjoyed it.
Response from Host, Apr 2024
Thank you Melissa for taking the time to review our tour. We are so pleased you enjoyed exploring our wonderful city.
The lanes and arcades is Melbourne
Samuel_K, Feb 2024
Our guide provided detailed descriptions and histories of the many unique buildings and sites in the area. The lanes and arcades are beautiful in many ways. The stop at the chocolate shop was quite a tasty bonus. Our guide was well versed in the details of the area, a great tour leader, and a wonderful communicator.
Response from Host, Apr 2024
Thank you Samuel for your lovely review of our tour. We are so happy you enjoyed exploring the hidden gems of Melbourne. We agree the chocolate is a great bonus and i hope you were able to find your way back there.
A delightful experiencd
Diotima, Oct 2023
Fiona was an excellent guide. Very generous with her knowledge and she possessed an in-depth understanding of Melbourne’s history and culture.
A Must Do If Staying in the City
Matthew_H, Jun 2023
We booked a small group tour and were treated to a private tour as we were the only two who booked this tour for the morning. Grateful to the company for not cancelling the tour due to us being the only two. Melinda was a terrific host and we were blessed to have her show us the city. This tour is a must if you are staying in the city as it not only taught us about the city and its history, but also allowed us to find some many shops, coffee and dining spots that we would have never found on our own wandering around. This should be one of the first things you do when visiting if you want to get your bearings.
Fun, interesting
RebeccaMH_T, May 2023
Melinda is very knowledgeable and funny. She shared a lot of interesting stories about the lanes and arcades. Highly recommending this tour to tourists and even local who wants to know the “secrets”.
More than what the guide book gives!
Nilesh_R, Mar 2023
We were in Melbourne only for three days and booked the tour rather than us walking about aimless. Loved the small group personal attention afforded during the tour.
Fascinating 3 hrs
Rosemary_W, Jun 2022
Melinda our Guide was excellent and most informative , learned a lot more interesting facts about Melbourne.
Response from Host, Jul 2022
Thank you for your kind words about Melinda, she is a passionate guide who works with us and like us all it is a great priviledge to share our city with guests such as yourself. We do appreciate the time you have taken to add your words here.
Melbourne was brought to life by this tour
Jessica_K, May 2022
We had a very busy, yet wonderful time exploring the laneways of Melbourne with a very knowledgeable and experienced guide. She brought the city to life with the tour and I’d recommend it to anyone visiting Melbourne.
Response from Host, Jul 2022
Thank you so much for your words here Jessica_K. We are so pleased you got to feel the life of the city, its a joy to read this after the fact, Thank you for taking the time to add your thoguhts here. Safe and happy wandering. From all the team at HST
Amazing tour
Bianca_L, Apr 2022
I booked the tour for my wife and daughter, they absolutely loved it. The tour guide was amazing and the tour excellent. I’m looking forward to take the tour myself.
Response from Host, Apr 2022
Ahh, we hope you had a great time visiting Philip Island, and it really was so lovely to have your daughter enjoy the city so much even on what they both thought was a cool day. Its a trick to figure out how to manage Melbourne weather :) - we would love to have you all back again, and look forward to meeting the rest of the family. - Kindest regards, Fiona ( the guide of the day)
Discover the history of Melbourne
Carol_G, Mar 2022
Fiona was a fantastic guide who led us through arcades and lanes that we never would have seen otherwise. Wonderful history of Melbourne. Thoroughly enjoyed this tour. One of the highlights of our trip.
Response from Host, Apr 2022
Dear Carol,What a lovely review, it was such a lovely tour with ou and the small group we had on this day. I loved being out with such passionate visitors, curious and keen to enjoy our city. THank you for sharing here. Cheers. Fiona
Hidden history
Mark_B, Mar 2022
Fiona was very knowledgeable about our city’s history, sharing the ebbs and flows of our past. She showed us laneways I’d visited many times but hadn’t seen some of the hidden gems, whether be it buildings or hidden restaurants and bars.
Response from Host, Apr 2022
Dear Mark_B, what a delight it was to share the city with you. Its been so lovely to get out with curious locals, I know it was a thriving city the day we walked, we all enjoyed the buzz of the city. Thank you for taking the time to write here. Cheers. Fiona.
Hidden Treasures
Karyn, Mar 2021
Thoroughly enjoyed our tour. Our guide Fiona was so knowledgeable and engaging. Loved discovering the art in the laneways and the beautiful arcades and their history.
Response from Host, Apr 2021
Dear Karyn. So very pleased you could join us. Fiona really enjoyed her walk with you. We really appreciate the kind words here.
Hidden Secrets Revealed
Marcia_S, Jan 2019
Recommend taking this tour your first day (or at the beginning of your stay) in Melbourne. Our guide Jes was terrific!! We had an outstanding time learning all about the city’s laneways and history of Melbourne. We even tested our local friends to see if they knew some of the tidbits that Jes shared with us, and most did not. This was a highly enjoyable experience and Jes gave a wonderful overview at the start of the tour and clearly explained everything we saw and were to see along the way. The stop at Koko Black was delightful. Jes’ enthusiasm and knowledge were excellent, making this one of our top tours here in Australia. We highly recommend this tour and hopefully you will get Jes as your guide. After the tour ended we headed back to explore the laneways, stores and restaurants we had passed by on the tour and even rearranged our plans the next day to see more of what Jes had exposed us to. This tour enhanced our time in Melbourne tremendously.
Hidden Melbourne was a treat!
KeithL557, Dec 2018
I travel solo because I don't like to be herded in a group. That is why these small walking tours are such fun. You have a knowledgeable guide who really know their city and enjoys showing it off. You have the opportunity to ask questions and get the little bits that really give you the flavor of the city. Great Fun!!!
This walking tour in Melbourne is...
Iltcho K, Oct 2018
This walking tour in Melbourne is simply a must! The two very nice and knowledgeable guides will take you through amazing hidden lanes and arcades of the city which you may miss if you do it on your own. It is well worth it as you will learn many interesting things about Melbourne and also will be entertained by the good taste jokes and fun facts. Once we took the tour we went back to some of the places to enjoy more time. Book in advance and enjoy!
Excellent walking tour by our guide...
Albert_L, Apr 2018
Excellent walking tour by our guide Luisa. She was informative on the history of Melbourne, told us interesting stories of the lanes and arcades we visited. Highly recommended for visitors to Melbourne.
...

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