Melbourne Sights
Free
Walking Tour
10:30am daily
Click ‘join a tour’ to see availability and book your place.
- 10:30am daily
- 2½ to 3 hour walking tour
- FREE (Pay what you think it's worth)
- Tour starts at the State Library of Victoria (on Swanston St, next to the Sir Redmond Barry statue)
More than Melbourne's Sights
There is so much more to Melbourne than many locals know about. Join us and together we’ll unpack the stories and history of Australia’s cultural capital. Your friendly and knowledgeable Melbourne tour guide will give you insights into the people, places and events of our city.
From the State Library we will explore Melbourne’s beginnings and development from its indigenous history right up to the major developments that have made Melbourne the world city that it is today. We’ll uncover laneways, art, cafe culture and hidden bars so you can experience the best of Melbourne even if you’ve been before.
What we'll cover
– Yarra River
– Eureka Tower
– Chinatown
– Iconic Street art
– Aboriginal History
– Early settlement history
– Old Melbourne Gaol
– Carlton Gardens
– Royal Exhibition Building
– Princess’ Theatre
– Federation Square
– Bourke St
– Flinders St Station
– State Library Victoria
– State Parliament of Victoria
– Melbourne’s first coffee machine
– Ned Kelly
– Batman
– Free things to do
… and much more!
Join a tour
Please note: We aren’t able to accept groups of 10+ or school / tertiary education groups of any size on the free tours. Instead we offer Private Tours. Separate registration of large groups will not be accepted on the day as it affects the tour for everyone else.
Happy snaps
How are we free?
Our tours are offered on a “pay what you think it’s worth” model so people of any budget are able to turn up and enjoy the tour and discover and learn about our great city.
Join a Tour
10:30am daily
Please note: We aren’t able to accept groups of 10+ or organised, school or tertiary education of any size on the free tours. Instead we offer Private Tours. Separate registration of large groups will not be accepted on the day as it affects the tour for everyone else.
At I'm Free we're all about
All I’m Free guides are experienced and knowledgeable locals who are excited to show you around their hometown.
We’re all about being real! Each of us will share with you our honest, local advice about where to explore, eat or drink. We are never paid to promote or advertise to you.
We will share with you the unique and quirky stories of our city as well as the history behind our main attractions.
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Where to Meet
FAQs
Our Melbourne Sights tour concludes along the Yarra River at Southbank outside Hamer Hall (the Arts Centre precinct), just a short 2-minute stroll across the bridge to Flinders Street Station and Federation Square.
The walk runs for approximately 2.5 to 3 hours over an easy 3.5km-4km (2-2.5 mile) route through the grid and riverfront. We keep a relaxed, steady pace with regular standing breaks to explore hidden lanes, street art, and heritage landmarks.
We wait 5 minutes on Swanston St in front of the State Library before walking closer to the main entrance to start the tour. If you are slightly behind, we head east along La Trobe Street and north along Russell Street toward the Old Melbourne Gaol before heading into the Carlton Gardens.
Yes! The entire Melbourne Sights route utilises flat city footpaths, wide pedestrian plazas, and accessible street crossings, making it completely friendly for wheelchairs, prams, and strollers.
Yes, there is a dedicated 10-minute pause roughly halfway through the tour near clean public amenities and places where you can grab a snack or refill your water.
You simply reserve your spot online, enjoy the walk, and decide what the experience was worth at the end. Guides carry tap-and-go card readers taking credit/debit cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay, as well as cash.
Yes! The Melbourne Sight’s tour ends an easy 12 minute tram ride from the Start point of the Culture Capital tour. Click here for a Google Maps directions.
To keep group sizes manageable and ensure everyone can hear clearly, groups of 10+ are not permitted on public walks. You can easily book a Melbourne Private Tour to secure your own dedicated guide!
Got other questions such as about wet weather, luggage storage, bringing kids, or tipping norms?
More Free Tours in Melbourne
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