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Hosier Lane

Hosier Lane: Our most recommended tours and activities

Melbourne: Hidden Alleyways, Ghosts and Best Instagram Spots

1. Melbourne: Hidden Alleyways, Ghosts and Best Instagram Spots

Your tour departs at 8.30pm, please arrive at 8.20pm for check-in outside Young & Jackson Hotel Corner of Flinders Street and Swanston Street for the start of a tour that will take you back to the 19th-century and reveal some of the city’s favourite haunts. Dive down hidden lanes and past iconic landmarks, including Flinders Street Station, Hosier Lane, and Parliament House. Hear stories from when the spices of China Town masked the smoke of the opium dens. Discover poor houses and the home of the genteel who did anything necessary to advance medical science. Visit the locations of Melbourne's most tragic crimes, such as the Gun Alley murder. Try to make contact with the city’s most famous ghost, the opera singer Federici whose most dramatic performance saw him plummet to his death in front of the audience. Explore whether Jack the Ripper lurked the streets of Melbourne. Then, end the night in Chinatown, the oldest Chinatown of the Western world. The tour meanders through hidden laneways and visits Melbourne's most instagrammed spots. Tours run every Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening.

Melbourne: History and Donuts Walking Tour

2. Melbourne: History and Donuts Walking Tour

Our popular History & Donuts Walking Tour will take you through some of the city's most iconic laneways, giving you a chance to explore the city's rich history and culture up close. We'll start at Federation Square, a popular gathering spot and cultural hub that is home to a variety of events and exhibitions. From there, we'll head to Hosier Lane, a famous street art hotspot where you'll see colourful murals and graffiti created by some of Melbourne's most talented artists. Next, we'll visit St Paul's Cathedral, a beautiful and historic cathedral that has stood in the heart of the city for over 150 years. You'll get a chance to explore the cathedral's stunning architecture and learn about its rich history. After that, we'll stop by the Young & Jackson's Hotel, a historic hotel that is home to the famous "Chloe" painting, which has become an iconic symbol of Melbourne. Next, we'll take a break and grab a coffee at Centre Place, a bustling pedestrian alleyway filled with trendy cafes and restaurants. From there, we'll walk down Collins Street, a fashionable shopping and dining destination that is home to some of Melbourne's most iconic buildings. Along the way, we'll pass the Mitre Tavern, a historic pub that has been serving locals and tourists alike for over 150 years. We'll then continue on to Hardware Lane, a narrow pedestrian lane that is home to a variety of cozy cafes and restaurants. Shortly aftet Hardware Lane you'll get a chance to take a break and enjoy a donut to fuel up for the second half of the tour. Next, we'll visit the Old Melbourne Gaol, a former prison that operated from 1842 to 1929. This historical site is now a museum and is home to some of the city's most famous prisoners, including Ned Kelly, Australia's most notorious outlaw. From the Old Melbourne Gaol, we'll continue on to Little Lon, a historic neighborhood that was once home to Melbourne's working class and was known for its brothels and pubs. Today, the area is home to trendy restaurants and cafes. We'll then make our way to Chinatown, Melbourne's vibrant and bustling Chinese quarter. Here, you'll find an array of delicious food options and colorful streets filled with traditional Chinese lanterns and architecture. Finally, we'll end our tour at the State Library Victoria, a beautiful and expansive library that houses over 2 million books and is a popular spot for tourists and locals alike. This is where our tour will finish, but we recommend checking out the Library while you're here. We recommend coming on an empty stomach - there's two donuts stops and a coffee stop on this tour! * This tour usually visits the Queen Victoria Market. The market is closed Monday's and Wednesdays and we use a slightly alternate route.

Melbourne: Guided Night-Time Food Walking Tour

3. Melbourne: Guided Night-Time Food Walking Tour

Discover another side of Melbourne once the sun has set on a night-time food walking tour. Explore hidden alleyways and weave through the crowd to taste delicious food at three unique hole-in-the-wall diners while soaking in the revelry of the night. Make your way to Gordon Reserve to meet your friendly guide and group for the night. Immerse yourself in the vibrant nightlife of Melbourne as you pass through the crowds and by rowdy bars. Bounce from one hole-in-the-wall diner to another and stay on your feet to enjoy a tasty bite to eat. Don't wait any time at all between ordering and eating, you'll find the perfect greasy pizza joint in the back of the bar and a dumpling house with a Mandarin menu. Settle down your meal with a refreshing beer at a local bar to finish your tour. Take the chance to socialise with your group and anyone else you meet and decide where you're off to next.

Melbourne: Street Art Scavenger Hunt Mobile Adventure Game

4. Melbourne: Street Art Scavenger Hunt Mobile Adventure Game

Get ready for your next Adventure. After booking, you will receive your play links via email or SMS. There is no need to meet a guide - You decide when you would like to play the adventure and head to the start location (Corner of Little Lonsdale Street and Elizabeth Street. Melbourne CBD. (just near Melbourne Central Station) Once at the start location - You and your team click on the play links on your mobile to begin your adventure (there is no app to download) & you'll start to solve the cryptic clues. Each clue once solved leads you to a secret location. Select this trail to discover Melbourne’s most creative and colourful streets. On this trail you will discover one of the most impressive and talked about street art lanes in the world. You will score points, use hints where necessary, and compete against others on the live leaderboard. You can ask for help at any time during the self-guided tour. Take in the dizzying array of colours and solve clues based on the colourful art you will encounter. There are over 260 lanes and alleyways in Melbourne, all of which have a unique bustling hive of activity. Get your camera at the ready and go ahead with the Melbourne Street Art Adventure Clues challenge. Start Location - Corner of Little Lonsdale Street and Elizabeth Street. Melbourne CBD. (just near Melbourne Central Station) Finish Location - You’ll finish a short walk away from where you started (Melbourne Central Station). There are plenty of bars and restaurants nearby. If you want some tips on where to eat afterward then get in touch or check the ultimate guide you will see at the end of the trail. Duration - 2-3 hours (may vary depending on how much time you spend at rest breaks) Go solo or play as a team - We recommend up to 4 players per team. If you want to play against another team then stagger your start times by 5 minutes, which is a great idea for large parties and team building. Play links are valid for 6 months after purchase making it a super flexible option

Melbourne Haunted: Vampire Search Outdoor Escape Game

5. Melbourne Haunted: Vampire Search Outdoor Escape Game

Discover Melbourne’s dark history and attractions as you explore the city by playing a quest game with your friends and family. Each clue will lead you from one place to another by providing you with exact directions so you won't need a map, GPS, or guide. As you solve the problem and guess the answer, the secret story of that location is revealed to you. Discover the first train station built in Australia, learn about the story of the ghosts of the Princess Theatre and learn more about the infamous nude painting of Melbourne. Simply download the app, go to the starting point, and begin the adventure. The tour will take you about 1.5 hours to complete, but there’s no time limit that will allow you to go at your own pace. If you are a large group, one person can purchase access for the entire group by selecting the number of people in the group. All group members will be able to play the city game on their smartphone. You can play as a group and solve the clues together as you walk, or you can split into smaller teams and compete against each other.

Melbourne: Birrarung Marr to Hamer Hall and CBD Audio Guide

6. Melbourne: Birrarung Marr to Hamer Hall and CBD Audio Guide

Find out what makes Melbourne tick on this walking tour through its vibrant CBD. I'm Mitch, a Melbourne local, and I'll be your host for this lovely little jaunt from Birrarung Marr riverside park to Hamer Hall. After enduring the world’s longest lockdown, the city is back and better than ever and I can’t wait to share it with you as we take in some of its lesser-known corners including Federation Square and the Block Arcade. Along the way, I'll introduce you to a few people who’ll share some interesting facts about the city and how it came to be. You’ll hear from Steve, a Gunai Kurnai man whose ancestors are the traditional owners of Naarm. (That’s Melbourne’s traditional Aboriginal name.) Jessica Paige, a street busker, will also share one of her beautiful songs with you. Other highlights in this tour include: • Learning about the flat white from its inventor, Salvatore Malatesta, who started St. Ali coffee • Riding the tram through the city while listening to the story of a 15 year old rascal who once stole a tram • Hearing from one of the first street artists to ever spray paint down the famous Hosier Lane • Deciphering the city’s official coat of arms • Discovering a few of the theories surrounding the disappearance of Harold Holt, the city’s prime minister from 1966-1967 By the end of this tour, you’ll be able to explore the city on your own just like any other Melbournite!

Laneways Discovery Running Tour

7. Laneways Discovery Running Tour

Our Laneways Discovery Running Tour will take you through some of the city's most iconic and interesting laneways, giving you a unique perspective on the city's rich history and culture. We'll start off at 8am at Federation Square and head to Hosier Lane, a famous street art hotspot where you'll see colorful murals and graffiti created by some of Melbourne's most talented artists. From there, we'll head to AC/DC Lane, named after the iconic Australian rock band, where you'll find more street art and live music venues. Next, we'll make our way to Birrarung Marr, a beautiful park along the Yarra River that offers stunning views of the city skyline. Here, you'll learn about the story of Melbourne and how it has evolved into the bustling metropolis it is today. We'll then continue on to the Mitre Tavern, a historic pub that has been serving locals and tourists alike for over 150 years. You'll hear about the tavern's storied past. From the Mitre Tavern, we'll head to the State Library Victoria, a beautiful and expansive library that houses over 2 million books and is a popular spot for tourists and locals alike. You'll get a chance to explore the library's many exhibits and learn about its rich history. Next, we'll visit the Old Melbourne Gaol, a former prison that operated from 1842 to 1929. This historical site is now a museum and is home to some of the city's most famous prisoners, including Ned Kelly, Australia's most notorious outlaw. From the Old Melbourne Gaol, we'll continue on to Little Lon, a historic neighborhood that was once home to Melbourne's working class and was known for its brothels and pubs. Today, the area is home to trendy restaurants and cafes. Next, we'll make our way through Chinatown, Melbourne's vibrant and bustling Chinese quarter. Here, you'll find an array of delicious food options and colorful streets filled with traditional Chinese lanterns and architecture. Finally, we'll finish with coffee at one of our favourite Melbourne laneway cafes in Centre Place. This running tour is a great way to see the city and learn about its rich history and culture.

Other Sightseeing Options in Hosier Lane

Want to discover all there is to do in Hosier Lane? Click here for a full list.