Tours and Tickets
Melbourne Lanes and Arcades Walking Tour
5

Melbourne Lanes and Arcades Walking Tour

By Hidden Secrets Tours
Recommended by 98% of travellers
98% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
About
Melbourne’s atmospheric lanes and beautiful 19th-century arcades are one of the city’s highlights. On this walking tour Melbourne’s historic lanes and arcades, benefit from a small group size of just eight people and pick up tips and recommendations from a local guide. End your tour with coffee and chocolates at a local cafe. Plus, add an optional lunch upgrade.
from
AU$129.00
per adult
Lowest price guaranteeFree cancellation

Ages 0-99, max of 8 per group
Duration: 3h
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Live guide: English
More

Highlights
  • Explore Melbourne’s narrow laneways with confidence on a guided tour
  • Insider tips: learn where to eat, drink, and shop in Melbourne
  • Customize your itinerary: choice of morning or afternoon departure
  • Small group tour allows extra attention from your guide

  • 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
What's not included
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Food and drinks, unless specified
  • Gratuities

Meet your guide and set out to explore Melbourne’s famous laneways, filled with boutique shops, atmospheric cafes, and beautiful 19th-century shopping arcades. During the tour, experience the many different sides of Melbourne from the elegant architecture of the Royal Arcade to the bold street art of Hosier Lane, to historic landmarks such as Melbourne Town Hall. Accompanied by a local guide, you have plenty of opportunities to ask for recommendations on where to eat, drink, or shop during the rest of your stay in the city. Finally, experience Melbourne’s cafe culture with a tea, coffee, and chocolate tasting at a local cafe. If you select the optional upgrade, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. Your tour ends back at Federation Square, where you receive a goodie bag as a souvenir of your tour.

Departure details
  • 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
Return details
  • 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

  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Stroller accessible
  • Service animals allowed
  • Near public transportation
  • Infants must sit on laps
If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 3671ARCADES

  • Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
  • Most travellers 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 experience requires good weather. If it’s cancelled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
  • This experience requires a minimum number of travellers. If it’s cancelled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 8 travellers

  • If you cancel between 3 and 6 day(s) in advance of the scheduled departure, there is a 50 percent cancellation fee.
  • If you cancel within 2 days of the scheduled departure, there is a 100 percent cancellation fee.
  • If you cancel at least 7 days in advance of the scheduled departure, there is no cancellation fee.

Which attractions will I visit with Melbourne Lanes and Arcades Walking Tour?
How much is Melbourne Lanes and Arcades Walking Tour?
Melbourne Lanes and Arcades Walking Tour price starts from AU$131.09. Discover and book Melbourne Lanes and Arcades Walking Tour on Tripadvisor
What is the Melbourne Lanes and Arcades Walking Tour cancellation policy?
Melbourne Lanes and Arcades Walking Tour cancellation policy: If you cancel at least 7 days in advance of the scheduled departure, there is no cancellation fee. If you cancel between 3 and 6 day(s) in advance of the scheduled departure, there is a 50 percent cancellation fee. If you cancel within 2 days of the scheduled departure, there is a 100 percent cancellation fee. Discover and book Melbourne Lanes and Arcades Walking Tour on Tripadvisor
Which company provides Melbourne Lanes and Arcades Walking Tour?
Melbourne Lanes and Arcades Walking Tour is hosted by Hidden Secrets Tours. Read reviews, discover additonal experiences or contact Hidden Secrets Tours on Tripadvisor. Discover and book Melbourne Lanes and Arcades Walking Tour on Tripadvisor

If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 3671ARCADES

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Similar experiences

Itinerary
  • You'll start at
    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
    See address & details
  • 1
    Hidden Secrets Tours
    Stop: 3 hours
    See details
  • 2
    Federation Square
    See details
  • 3
    Block Arcade
    See details
  • 4
    Royal Arcade
    See details
  • 5
    Degraves Street
    See details
  • 6
    Hosier Lane
    See details
  • You'll end at
    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
    See address & details
+
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About the operator
Hidden Secrets Tours
667
Australia
Joined in July 2010

#25 of 189 Food & Drink in Melbourne
  • kmlien11
    kmlien11
    0
    0
    So much more than just cafes and culture!
    This tour exceeded our expectations. Dee was a wonderful guide and shared her knowledge, wisdom, sense of humor and great tidbits of information. She opened our eyes to the cafes and restaurants hidden in the lanes of Melbourne...we would never even have known they existed. Our samplings were delicious, whether coffee or sweet treat and lunch was a special surprise in another hidden away restaurant.
  • laurapG7126LX
    laurapG7126LX
    0
    0
    A perfect evening!
    A true delight! We were traveling with friends and signed up for this on a whim! All four of us loved it. We learned a lot and thoroughly enjoyed the foodie spots we were taken to. We liked one so much we even re-visited the following day. What could be better than a progressive dinner through beautiful Melbourne?
  • mellieg71
    mellieg71
    0
    0
    Learn about Melbourne and taste your way around the city
    Absolute 5 star experience with Fiona our tour guide - I've lived in Melbourne my entire life and yet I learnt so much, about so many of the little details and the history about our beautiful city that Fiona pointed out as we walked from place to place. The restaurants we visited were welcoming, and delicious! So much food! Can 100% recommend this for anyone wanting to learn more about Melbourne, visit some of the best restaurants, whether you're a local or a visitor!
  • Compass227789
    Compass227789
    0
    0
    Informative and fun!
    Good distance covered, good history and 'stories' and over coffee a chance to exchange stories with other travellers!
  • C79-Family
    C79-Family
    0
    0
    Hot Chocolate
    So fun to walk through Melbourne and see the evolution of art in the city (especially how they are handling the "Graffiti art" - making it an artform. We even got to go to a Chocolate Lounge and try some great Hot Chocolate - almost a meal. Fun to walk through the lanes and inner parts of the city.
  • skigolf
    skigolf
    0
    0
    Great evening in Melbourne!
    Fantastic evening with great food and wine. Fiona was a wonderful and knowledgeable guide. She shared great facts about the beautiful city of Melbourne and took us to wonderful restaurants. A must do!
  • laurapG7126LX
    laurapG7126LX
    0
    0
    An outstanding way to spend an evening.
    What a fabulous way to experience a new city. We learned a lot while being shown some amazing places to stop in and have a bite. This was absolutely one of the highlights from being in Melbourne.
  • M9002ZWdaniellep
    M9002ZWdaniellep
    0
    0
    Bring your appetite!
    An absolutely fantastic experience! The food was so delicious and varied! We started with an Asian fusion restaurant, then moved onto an Italian bistro and finished at an Argentinian steak house. The wines were paired perfectly with the dishes and the staff at each restaurant provided explanations of their restaurant, the menu and the dishes. Our guide, Catherine, was wonderful to talk to and full of information about the city and the food/wine scene in Melbourne. Bring your appetite - this is a must do if in Melbourne!
  • Andre J
    Andre J
    0
    0
    Outstanding - MUST DO EXPERIENCE
    If you are looking for a very unique and memorable Melbourne experience then the Melbourne Food and Wine Walking Tour is the one for you. A very special evening where you walk the streets and laneways of Melbourne learning about the history and interesting facts behind the buildings, laneways whilst experiencing Melbourne’s games culinary offerings.
  • Benicio17
    Benicio17
    0
    0
    Delicious
    It was fabulous!! I highly recommend. The three venues were great and their foods and wines were delicious. I will definitely visit the restaurants again and will aim to go on the tour again in about a year's time.
  • Louisesjc13
    Louisesjc13
    0
    0
    Wonderful Guide and Melbourne is such an interesting City
    This was an amazing excellent tour of Melbourne Jess with her incredible knowledge was our guide, all I can say is you must go on this tour it was taken at an easy walking pace, lots of stops and fabulous chocolate . Thank you Jess
  • Culture553112
    Culture553112
    0
    0
    Informative adventure
    Thoroughly enjoyed this walking tour and our guide was excellent showing us all the interesting back streets and recommending some eateries. I was able later in my own wanderings revisit some of the interesting arcades.
  • Camper30564664839
    Camper30564664839
    0
    0
    Progressive Degustation Tour
    We had a great time on this tour. Nic, our guide was so lovely and had an excellent knowledge of the city , restaurants we visited and the food and wine we had. Amazing restaurants that I would not have found on my own and a friendly, fun and fabulous group of people. Thank you Nic and Hidden Secrets Tours.
  • Rdwarf
    Rdwarf
    0
    0
    Truly excellent
    We are Melbournites who had a voucher to do this tour so off we went! Our host was delightful and informative, we certainly learnt a few Hidden Secrets. It was a lovely reminder of the true magic of Melbourne laneways. The walking distance was easily done, not onerous. We were taken to three food venues who all showcased 3 dishes with delicious wines. The restaurants were all of the highest standard ( 1 2 hatter, 1 1 hatter and the other highly recommended) which meant we got to try high end Asian (chicken and prawn dumplings, duck bao, tofu crisp with avocado), rustic Italian ( gnocco fritto, octopus with fennel and ) and quirky seafood. The only reason I haven’t named the restaurants is that I understand they do change and to keep the Secret Hidden ( unless you do the tour of course!)
  • Sightseer529853
    Sightseer529853
    0
    0
    Progressive dinner
    We had a wonderful time with Kathryn , on a progressive degustation ! Great food . Fun wine. Many great stories and fun people to share experience. We did this our first day in town and it was perfect. Highly recommend!
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5.0
155 reviews
Excellent
140
Very good
13
Average
1
Poor
0
Terrible
1

Mark
2 contributions
Charlie was a wiz in leading our tour. Mixed audience from Melbourne and interstate/NZ really appreciated the whole tour. As a local, I learned so much and loved every minute. The werewolf beer at the pub I’ll possibly never find again was great. Highly recommended. Oh yes, the weather was truly Melbourne, variable.
Written 19 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Mark, thank you so much for this fab review, it should be said you had the true mad weather on your tour, and yet Charlie said you all chose to continue on jovially into the laneways ducking and weaving the elements. We love to find corners that locals may not have been to, and yes the drinks location we included on your teams bespoke tour we hoped would be jus that. So pleased to see you enjoyed the afternoon outing. We really appreciate the feedback and loved being part of your you corporate day. We do hope to see you again soon, in and around the lanes of our fab city. Kindest regards Fiona and the team. Hidden Secrets Tours. Melbourne.
Written 19 February 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Stpteach
Shelton, CT5 contributions
Mar. 2020 • Friends
My friend and I had the luxury of being guided by Charley, who proved to be personable, kind, and extremely knowedable of local history. We were lucky to be the entire "group" so we felt we had a personal guided tour. And the coffee/chocolate break included in the tour was a most welcome treat, indeed! It was most worthwhile!
Written 10 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Stpteach. THANKYOU so much for writing a lovely note here, we have risen from our hibernation, and are so pleased you got to have a tour with Charlie - and just for you!. - We don't have this happen too often, our public tours only need a minimum of 2, so you were in luck that day. So pleased you enjoyed the chocolate stop in the middle of the tour, and that Charlies passion for our local history kept you entertained. Our small streets are just the starting point for these wonderful insights of how Melbourne evolved, and continues to do so today. thank you again for taking the time, we do hope you explore our city again soon, or take a walking tour in the next metropolis you visit. Kind regards Fiona , Charlie and the whole team Hidden Secrets Tours, Melbourne
Written 4 November 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

MK and Josh
1 contribution
Feb. 2020 • Couples
This tour was perfect for our first day in Melbourne to get a sense of the hidden gems in this city. Lara did a truly wonderful job. She was very knowledgeable, friendly, gave excellent suggestions, and went out of her way to give recommendations for each couple on the tour based on theirs interests. Great start to our visit to Melbourne. Thanks, Lara!!!
Written 20 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear MkandJosh We are so pleased to read this review not a little while after your visit. What a year. Our late February and early March tours are always so lovely, and Lara is a very special guide with us. So pleased you enjoyed your visit to our hidden spaces, and the recommendations on tour too. Its such an important part of our guide training, and also keeps us excited on researching what else is on. After a few hours with guests we work hard to personalise these updates before you leave us. Lets hope we all get to travel with such gusto soon, our tours start again this month. Thank you for taking the time to write this, more than ever these are special details we cherish. Kind regards Fiona Owner, Hidden Secrets Tours, Melbourne
Written 4 November 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Lorraine K
Vancouver, Canada5 contributions
Jan. 2020 • Couples
We had an excellent guide, Melinda and we enjoyed a good walking tour of Melbourne through wonderful arcades of beautiful stores and restaurants and lanes decorated with graffiti. We also had a stop to taste a delicious hot chocolate. Definitely would recommend this tour!
Written 24 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear lainsy2018. How fab is Melinda, we just love reading about our team members - we share these as often as we can in our catch ups. She has been with us for several years and her other creative endeavours we feel make her storytelling dynamic and informative to each group in different ways. Thank you for taking the time to write here, and also to share your passionate recommendation. Kindest regards Fiona and the team Hidden Secrets Tours. Melbourne
Written 4 November 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

alexiab922
Brisbane, Australia2 contributions
Jun. 2023
This was the highlight of our trip! We have been to Melbourne many times and learnt so much. Even our 14 year old son loved it and that says a lot.

Deanne was so so knowledgable and went out of her way to make the experience very personalised,

Cannot recommend this more......
Written 2 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Alexiab922. Thank you every so much for sharing your excitement about our tour. Dee mentioned she had a great tour with a tennager recently, must have been your tour. We are so pleased to hear, and really appreciate your time to post here. I am very proud of the team of guides we have. We all hope each client leaves us with memorable moments of our city. Safe travels. Cheers Fiona abd the team at hiddensecretstours
Written 7 July 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Bianca L
2 contributions
Apr. 2022 • Family
Fiona was amazing guiding us along Melbourne CBD. She explained everything in really good detail and took us to places we would never have discovered on our own. Thanks for an awesome tour! Can’t wait to come back bringing other family members!
Written 3 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HSTOURS
What a lovely review, we are all so excited to be back touring, and though we have been doing this for so many years, these little unexpected notes of thanks are so appreciated by all the team, as well as Fiona. The small HST team would love to see you back with your family too - each tour is a little different than the last - even if walking the same path. We love sharing the evolutions of Melbourne. thank you.
Written 4 April 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Louise
4 contributions
Feb. 2020
We had a beautiful day walking the lanes and arcades with Charlie. He was so informative and attentive to everyone in our group. We would never had gotten such an in depth knowledge of the city. We got tips also on where we would like to visit on our day off...along with things marked on our map.
Written 17 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear 373Louiser Its such a treat to see reviews that come through this portal, each with small little points of reflection that are different than others. In fact all tours - even if we walk similar routes - are different too. Charlie, we are very privileged to have on our team, and we are so pleased you enjoyed his tour. - tips are what we train regularly on, and we do hope you continued wandering after your tour with us. Thank you. Kind regards Fiona and the team. Hidden Secrets tours - Melbourne
Written 19 February 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Gina B
1 contribution
We loved the tour & would highly recommend it. Getting a feel for the history
& culture from an excellent storyteller was entertaining. Judy is a gem! Her added flair & kindness added a tremendous value to our small tour group of six. Thank you Judy!
Written 13 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Gina. What a lovely tour you had, visiting North Americans , Europeans and a couple of Aussies would be an ideal tour for Judy, she is a precious member of our team - they all are - and her desire to share is as you say caring and generous. Thanks so much for taking the time to post something here. In a small business our customers help us learn daily. We probably designed the business that way, if truth be told. Judy and the team get so much from these positive comments. Thank you. Fiona and all at Hiddensecretstours
Written 14 October 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Mark
Singapore61 contributions
Feb. 2020
Jess was a good guide but the pace of this tour was a little slow for us. We wish we had covered a bit more ground. A number of things that were pointed out as world famous we had never heard of before and we have travelled quite a bit. I admire Jess's devotion to her home city and there is a lot to love about Melbourne but it was a bit over the top for us. A few more funny stories would have helped to pass the time.
Written 1 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello @newmansg. We always appreciate feedback, and really pleased you enjoyed Jess as your guide. I can see you travelled on our Lanes and Arcades tour last Saturday afternoon that you booked the night prior. We are so pleased we had space for you. Thank you for your prompt feedback, its good to hear your thoughts. Our tours go out with an average of 8 people in a tour, and you were joined by a group of older travellers from the United States. In total just 6 of you on the tour. We do only the city centre, and have tours that focus on areas that are about 6 blocks for each itinerary The Lanes and Arcades are in a compact area of the city. Jess did note that some of the group had slower moments, but we covered the normal distance our tour does, finishing in the street art area of Hosier lane ( as lunch was not involved in your afternoon tour) I appreciate, if you are keen walkers, the pace is not fast, as we have designed the walk to be casual and conversational with time to discuss happenings within the city. Jess is a long time guide with us, and is very passionate about our city, she said she enjoyed the tour and talking with you. We are pleased that you learned some things about Melbourne, and I do know some of our stories are about how Melbourne was world famous at different times in our history. We developed this tour itinerary for many reasons, but one was because many don't know these impressive stories of our city's past. We know time is precious, so we really appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts. Kindest regards. Fiona and the team.
Written 2 March 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Rangas
Ringwood, Australia1 contribution
Oct. 2022
My review may be a little biased considering I'm a Tourism Student at University AND a local Melbournian, but I digress:
This tour and Hidden Secrets provided an amazing and fun experience for our 3hr tour. Our tour guide, Melinda was incredibly knowledgeable about both Melbourne's history as well as recent history. Our group was small in nature, providing a more personalized style of delivery, and Melinda was quick on their feet with my questions, queries and interest in the hospitality and nightlife
Written 19 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Rangas n Mash. So pleased you are studying tourism, it’s an industry that is so rewarding. Melinda will be so happy to see this. We work to ensure history is complimented by the ever evolving happenings here . We have always had some locals, so we really appreciate your words. Best wishes for you study. Stay in touch. Cheers Fiona and the team at Hiddensecretstours
Written 21 October 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

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Melbourne Lanes and Arcades Walking Tour provided by Hidden Secrets Tours