The Original Walking Tours of Melbourne
est. 2004
03 9663 3358 (A/H +61447868788)
Sharing Melbourne Evolutions
 

Frequently Asked Questions

Can we just turn up on the day? - To ensure accuracy of morning tea and lunch bookings, we are able to take bookings up to 1 hour prior to departure – subject to availability.

How do we find you at the meeting area? All our guides hold up a large YELLOW golf umbrella for our Starting/Meeting points… so please watch for this.. it’s branded with Hidden Secrets tours – and should be an easy indicator – our guides also carry a branded black and yellow bag too.

Can you tell us where we go? – Please phone the Office directly to enquire about tour routes. Hidden Secrets Tours are generally focused in Melbourne’s central city area, with the Vintage Outing exploring the inner suburbs.

Can I pay by Cheque? -  Yes, advanced payment can be made by cheque, direct deposit or direct credit card – please contact the Office directly for details and to confirm tour availability.

Who will be the tour host? - To place a name to face our tour hosts are all identified on our Tour Team page. Due to the nature of our business, it is difficult to guarantee who will be looking after you on the day, but we will try if special requests are made.

Is there much walking? - Our tours are between 2 – 4 hours in length, but walking is not too strenuous, with most tours offering rest stops or tea breaks. The walks are approximately 1km – 2.5km, with a few stairs along the way. Heels are not advised.

If I need wheelchair access or have accessibility concerns what should I do? - We are happy to discuss with you what limitations and what opportunities there are in the city of Melbourne area where we work for accessibility needs. There are many places that do not have lifts, but also several businesses that can cater well, with suitable bathroom options and wide doorways. We want all customers to enjoy the best experience, so we will adapt a tour where suitable or create a private tour plan for you. We have worked with several visually impaired clients too, so a private tour with this focus in mind is offered. Please always ask prior to booking, to avoid disappointment on the day. We have a working relationship with Travellers Aid, who can assist in most issues regarding accessibility.

Do you pick up from our hotel? - Due to the nature of a walking tour, it is a better use of your investment to meet us at a central place. For private bookings we are happy to meet you at your inner city hotel – please confirm when booking.

I want to do a tour outside of the times listed on the website… – We’re happy to provide a Private Tour to suit your time schedule – please contact us directly to confirm availability and pricing scales.

We have a group, but don’t want to put the full booking on one credit card – can we pay on the day? - Full payment can be made on the day with cash, however a deposit is required for tour confirmation and / or a credit card imprint is held as tour security. Please contact us directly for payment options.

Do we need to reconfirm? - Whilst not obligatory, we highly recommend our clients reconfirm their booking, this ensures correct meeting details and any emergency contacts are provided. Please note: Hidden Secrets Tours do not take responsibility for incorrect information provided by a Third Party Booking Agent. Contact us to confirm your booking today.

What happens if we are not able to join the tour? - If you’re unfortunately not able to join the tour – please advise Hidden Secrets Tours directly by phoning the Office on 03 9663 3358 or the number provided at confirmation. Travel insurance is always advisable. To review our booking Terms and Conditions, including Cancellation Policy please click here.

Do we get to choose where we go? For all our scheduled tours the tour host will predetermine the route, but private touring there is some opportunity to make requests.

Are children allowed on the tours? - We will never say no, but do note that we do not have children’s pricing. We generally say our tours are suitable for anyone between 15 – 85. Children are to be supervised at all times and we ask Parents to be aware of the experience and requirement of other clients on the tour. We do not charge for Children 2 and under. Prams are not ideal due to steps during the walk. The legal alcohol drinking age in Victoria is 18 years. We can certainly arrange a private tour for families Contact us

What languages are the tours conduced in? All standard Hidden Secrets Tours are conducted in English. Out Tour Hosts are local to Melbourne, with English as their first language. Director Fiona, is also available to host tours in French, click here for more information.

Do you operate on Public Holidays? – most of our tours do not operate on Public Holidays – as the areas we visit are not as vibrant as on normal days.. and we want to show you Melbourne at its best.. Sundays or Public Holidays including:  3rd, 4th, and 6th April 2015 (Easter) , April 25th (Anzac Day), June 8th 2015 ( Queens Birthday), November 3rd (Melbourne Cup), December 25th and 26th and 28th 2015 ( Christmas Break), Jan 1st 2016, 26th Jan 2016(Australia Day), 25th, 26th, 28th March 2016 (Easter)

Do have a newsletter?

Yes we do –  - click here for archived ones.

How do I redeem a gift voucher?  - Please go to our gift vouchers page to see the steps to follow for redeeming a Hidden Secrets Tours Gift Voucher.

No question is a silly question – please feel welcome to phone: 03 9663 3358

 

Tour options to book.

Testimonials

We love it when guests send us notes of what they enjoyed on tour.

These are just a few!

What others say about our Tours of Melbourne

  • 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.
    An outstanding way to spend an evening – Laura Jan 2023
  • A very informative, comprehensive and interesting walking tour that I thoroughly recommend. I’ve been to Melbourne a few times and future trips will be so much better for the knowledge gained. Melinda is an excellent guide and I’m so glad I signed up for this.
    Best for history food shopping and outdoor art – Solo Traveller April 23
  • 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!
    Great Evening in Melbourne – Jan 2023
  • I am so thrilled I did. Wow, it was so interesting. I am seriously born and bred Melbourne, lived here for 50 years (in inner 'burbs) and worked and walked these city streets probably thousands of times and thought I knew my patch pretty well. This tour was the next level. My Melbourne will never be the same to me again, for which I am truly grateful. I liked it so much we're booked on the Degustation Tour. If you are not a local and you are interested in the quirky side of history and how this staid, yet beautiful city evolved, you will enjoy it. If you are a local, you will marvel at Marvelous Melbourne.
    “I loved it, and I’m a local.” – Jen, Melbourne
  • The tour is really worth every cent. We got two coffees, three sweets, a takeaway coffee mug and even a list + booklets with all the information of the tour. After this experience I wished I will stay longer in Melbourne so I can go explore every venue we passed again. Thums up for this tours! Thanks a lot 'Hidden secrets Melbourne'!
    Cafe Culture tour – Annelies from Netherlands
  • I had enjoyed Lanes and Arcades and Cafe Culture Tours in April 2015 with my family and it was so good that I returned with my friend in August Sept 2015. It really is the best way to make the most of your time in Melbourne to spend time with a guide from Hidden Secrets Tours. They are a wonderful example of Melbourne hospitality and the guests on the tour from all over the world make the experience one not to be missed. Next time I visit Melbourne their progressive High Tea Tour is definitely on my to do list.
    “Hidden Secrets Tours are becoming a must do for our trips to Melbourne.”
  • As Friday night was our last night in Melbourne we had a debriefing about what they had enjoyed the most...and guess what??.. Your tour was the most mentioned activity. One girl said it was the best $12 she had spent. Haha. So once again, a huge thank you for fitting us in and helping broaden our girls view of the food industry. They are so much wiser for the experience. Year 12 - Newcastle High School
    Newcastle High School – March 2014
  • This excellent informative and entertaining tour focused on the inner delights of Melbourne CBD lanes and arcades. Sarah is a wealth of information and is a natural entertainer. Even if like me you have been to Melbourne many times, Sarah still delivered the 'Well I never!" factor. Go on these attractions, they are truly worth every cent. - Trip Advisor - Jan 2014
    Shirley – Lanes & Arcades walk
  • This is honestly the best tour I have ever done anywhere in the world. If you ever visit Melbourne, I strongly recommend that you take this tour.
    Visited January 2014 - tripadvisor
    Via TripAdviser WynonaLavota
  • “Fantastic, Friendly, Interesting”

    The guide was amazing. She had such a wealth of background knowledge about the area that she answered every question as well as expanding on it. I could see she really enjoyed her what she did with enthusiasm and eagerness. It was a truly amazing experience. I would gladly recommend this tour for all those who love history and interesting coffee and eats Reviewed 2 January 2014 on TripAdvisor - Cafe Culture Walk

    Cafe Culture Walk – Sth Africa
  • I wanted to take this opportunity to say thank you for your great hospitality. Thank you for making my Ultimate Australian Adventure with Oprah such and amazing time... 2010 Mary re the specially arranged Lanes and Arcades Walk 
    Mary T of Nova Scotia
  • Last week Jo and I went on your Lanes & Arcades tour and the Sommelier's Tour. They both offered completely different experiences. We had a great time discovering the many wonderful shops and cafes hidden away in the lanes and arcades of Melbourne...
    Robyn of Newcastle NSW
  • Both my friend Glenda & I have been going to Melbourne for years and we would have never known that these “Hidden Treasures” existed. It was fascinating to walk up & down the lanes & arcades and to see a completely different side of Melbourne...
    Kathryn & Glenda – NSW
 
If you joined a tour with us and enjoyed it, we would love to hear! - you can email us at feedback@hiddensecretstours.com Also a fabulous post on Google here,    Facebook or    is always a joy for us and our potential clients We as a team go through them, and love getting your personalised messages!   We're proud to say we have received Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019, and now 2020. We know 2020 and 2021 will be a year of new adventures. Your support is greatly appreciated.

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