Things to do in

Federation Square

Have you ever been to a city and wondered what all the fuss was about? Or wasted time trying to find that cool local café you were told about, and ended up missing everything? Melbourne’s arcades and lanes hide many of these answers. Some of the quirkiest cafes, independent designers, street art, architecture, and historical tales are found in these walkways. Uncover tucked-away gems like specialty boutiques and local fashion designers, and savor Melbourne’s café culture with some yummy snacks.  There is something for everyone, locals and visitors alike. See many local stores on this casual stroll and return to those you like best in the afternoon. Make a day of it in marvellous Melbourne. Step inside the opulent Royal Arcade to window-shop the upscale boutiques lining this elegant, old world style indoor avenue. For a modern contrast, admire the vibrant street art along Hosier Lane and other alleys, 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 tooth with a chocolate tasting. Tour numbers are limited to 8 people to ensure a personalized experience. 

Meet your guide outside the Visitor Hub at Town Hall. From there, stroll down towards Melbourne's renowned sporting precinct where you'll see famous sites including Rod Laver Arena and AAMI Park. Along the way, hear about Melbourne's sporting history, the key figures responsible and how the city came to be so sports obsessed. Also get behind the scenes insights into famous events including like the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, and the Australian Open whilst uncovering the impact such events have had on the city of Melbourne and its people.  Stand on the site of the 1956 Olympic Games. See the statues of Australia's greatest tennis players and visit Show Court 3, one of the main courts of the Australian Open used by the likes of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Serena Williams. Visit Garden Square which is the heart and center of the Australian open, Australia's only tennis grand slam event. Also discover the development of Melbourne's sporting media and how its rise took Melbourne sport to new heights whilst covering Australian sports darkest days and its most inspiring tales with photos to bring the stories to life. Finish the tour outside the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) where you'll learn about Australia's largest and most famous stadium.

Experience Melbourne behind the scenes, uncovering unique and hidden laneways and street art. Explore the city with a local who can share the history of the city as well as point out things to do after your walking tour is done. See the real Melbourne on this tour. Conclude your tour near the Old Melbourne Gaol, where you will learn about Australia’s most infamous bush ranger. After your tour is finished, stop at a classic Australian pub where you can experience traditional Aussie food.

Day 1 Guests on this small group tour are picked up from their city hotel or Federation Square and quickly depart Melbourne via the West Gate Bridge. Travel through the vast volcanic plains en route to Geelon, where you have time to stroll along the beautifully transformed waterfront. Start your journey along the Great Ocean Road at Torquay, stopping at various places along the coast including Bells Beach and the scenic morning tea location. Your focus then turns to Australian native wildlife as you observe Eastern Grey Kangaroos in the wild. This is one of many opportunities to see and hear about Australia's unique and unusual animals in their native habitat. Your journey then begins along the very scenic, cliff-hugging section of the Great Ocean Road. While winding your way along you stop to view sites such as the 'Memorial Arch' and hear about the intriguing story of this incredible road. Lorne is the largest of the seaside resorts. With its abundance of cafes and restaurants, it is the perfect place for a lunch break. You may even find time to have a swim or do some shopping. After lunch you cruise along the spectacular road, stopping at many scenic spots, including Kennett River where you can see koalas and many colorful native birds in the wild. Traveling through Apollo Bay, you go into the Great Otway National Park. Enjoy a 1-km guided walk through a cool temperate rainforest gully to see the world's tallest flowering plants, prehistoric trees and ferns, and unique features such as 'yabbie chimneys'. Visit Apollo Bay before checking in to Beacon Point Ocean View Villas. Your private self-contained villa is set high on a hill overlooking the Southern Ocean. This amazing setting is a great place to relax and unwind for a couple of hours. You'll have dinner tonight at the the award-winning Chris's Restaurant, next door to your accommodation, where the only thing that matches the food are the views. Day 2 Your second day starts with breakfast at the locals favorite Bay Leaf Cafe. Great coffee, tea, and a vast breakfast menu make this a perfect way to start another full day. Your journey starts with you traveling through the Otway ranges and onto the so-called 'Shipwreck Coast'. Your first stop is at Castle Cove overlooking the Aire river valley. Your guide will introduce you to the strong Aboriginal heritage of the region, where many tribes prospered around the coastline for thousands of years. In the same area, millions of years ago, when Australia was part of the great southern land, Gondwana, dinosaurs roamed the land. A unique find along the coast in 1987 uncovered important clues into the world's prehistoric past. The 12 Apostles are icons of Australia's natural beauty. You'll arrive as the stacks are lit with the morning sun, making them perfect for photos and crowd-free. This is a bonus for taking a 2-day trip as the stacks are silhouettes in the afternoon and overcrowded. After hearing of the creation of the stacks and holding some of the limestone rock you can explore the boardwalks or brave a helicopter flight along the coastline at your own expense. You'll then visit 'Loch Ard Gorge', the site of the most famous 19th-century Australian shipwreck. You'll hear the entire story, from the calm voyage, to the tragic wreck, to the courageous survivors and their ultimate fate. While hearing the tale you will be able to see and hold some original artifacts, photos, and documents from the 'Loch Ard' contained in treasure chests. Port Campbell is your lunch stop for today. This small fishing village of just 350 is set in a beautiful natural port and has some wonderful cafes and restaurants for food and views. After lunch you'll travel to a lesser-known but highly impressive area of the Great Ocean Road west of Port Campbell. This section includes London Bridge, the Bay of Islands, the Bay of Martyrs, and Boat Bay before your journey turns inland and travels through open farmland towards Melbourne, arriving there around 18:00.

There are so many great restaurants in Melbourne, and with new ones popping up regularly, it’s hard to keep up. The best way to sample Melbourne’s famous restaurant scene is to experience a few in one evening. With clusters of amazing venues within walking distance, enjoy a great way to see and taste the city on a delicious and enjoyable experience. This progressive degustation walk is a tour of Melbourne’s hidden away and amazing restaurants. Visit three unique venues, with exclusive wine tastings and tantalising savoury tastes from their menus. Hear from the passionate wine waiters who share their favourite drops, and restaurateurs who reveal how their distinctive restaurant design, location and menus came to be.

Learn the art of digital photography on a 3-hour tour of Melbourne's Federation Square and surrounding areas. During the workshop, you will become well-versed with various camera settings and learn how to cleverly and creatively use your camera with confidence. Take notes on the concepts you are learning, and try them out yourself. Learn how to use composition, light, texture, and more, to end up with stunning pictures. You will confidently move from automatic-mode to manual mode in one of Australia's most vibrant cities. Your guide will teach you elements and principles in composition and design, give you a photo critique, share 10 technical points and 10 creative ideas, and provide hands on challenges to put theory into practice.