7 History Walking Tours in Australia That Repay the Shoe Leather

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

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

Start near Gordon Reserve at 11 am and walk through Melbourne’s grand arcades, street-art lanes, Federation Square, Chinatown, and more. A local English-speaking guide such as Emily, Ian, Bo, or Hugo shares history and city tips. Coffee and a drink at Captain Melville are included.

“Great overview of the city and history! It said it was three hours, but it went so fast.. loved all the stops. Our guide Emily was great.”

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2.The Rocks 90-Minute History Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,092 reviews · 1h 30m · from $32Best value

Walk Sydney’s oldest quarter with an English-speaking guide such as Judith, Anne, Paul, or Vickie. In 90 minutes, you’ll see cobbled lanes, old pubs, courtyards, harbour viewpoints, and places tied to convict-era Sydney. The route is gentle but includes slopes, stairs, and uneven ground.

“Judith was excellent loved her city and brought it all to life”

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3.Discover Perth Walking Tour: History, Art, Local Insights + More!

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 458 reviews · from $51

Spend three easy-paced hours walking about 3 km through Perth’s streets, laneways, historic precincts and newer developments. Guides such as Alex, Adie, Phoebe and Lucy add stories about art, architecture and local life, then help you plan the rest of your visit. The tour starts near Perth Digital Tower at 9:30 am and finishes at Barrack Square.

“This walking tour was fun, informative and at a liesurely pace. Time for toilet breaks and coffee. Enjoyed all the informative stories told to us by Adie. Adie was so energetic with a effervescent personality to match. Thoroughly recomRead more”

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

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

Walk Melbourne’s arcades, laneways and major landmarks with a local English-speaking guide such as Emily, Hugo, Beau or Ian. You’ll hear Gold Rush stories, see changing street art, stop for a flat white or hot chocolate, and finish with a pub drink. The group is capped at 12 people, making it easy to ask questions.

“This was a fantastic tour covering a great portion of Melbourne's CBD, including the history and laneways. Our guide, Beau, made learning about the history of the city interesting and engaging, and he was also really funny! We loved getting to try a coffee from one of the local spots as well as a beer/wine at the end of the tour from a local pub.”

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5.Discover Perth Walking Tour: History, Art, Sights + More!

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 183 reviews · 3 hours · from $50

Start at Perth Digital Tower in Yagan Square and walk through Perth’s arcades, laneways, gardens, heritage buildings, and riverside sights. An English-speaking local guide, including popular guides Alex and Adie, adds history, quirky stories, street art, and practical tips for eating, drinking, and exploring the city.

“Alex is a powerful and energetic guide, and the tour was wonderful and conveyed her love for Perth.”

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6.Sydney Convicts, History & The Rocks 2.5-Hour Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 181 reviews · 2h 30m · from $36

Spend 2.5 hours with an English-speaking local historian tracing Sydney’s convict beginnings from Customs House to Argyle Cut. Expect sandstone ruins, old pubs, hidden corridors, colonial characters, rum dealers and stories of the Gadigal people. Guides such as Bec, Max and Pete use images and lively storytelling to make the past easier to picture.

“Amazing. A must experience if you wanna really know the origins of Sydney. The tour is a real Sydney boy and has a broad knowledge of the city, while making the visit really enjoyable.”

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7.History and Donuts Walking Tour

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

Walk from Federation Square to the State Library with a guide such as Rhiannon, Rhonda, Miles, Tony, or Ant. See Hosier Lane, St Paul’s Cathedral, Collins Street, Queen Victoria Market, and the Old Melbourne Gaol while enjoying coffee and two donuts. The pace is relaxed, the group is capped at 10, and the route is mostly flat.

“Superb tour. it was only me on the tour but the guide Mules did an excellent tour. loved all the stores and facto about Melbourne. Can strongly recommend both the tour and the guide Miles. 5/5”

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