Southbank Riverside Walk

Melbourne Uncovered starts where few free tours do: on the Southbank side of the Yarra, at the Red Stair Amphitheatre, with a guide holding a rainbow umbrella. Max and Jamie, both born and raised in Melbourne, lead this two-hour GuruWalk along the river and into the streets beyond, pairing the city's modern culture with the far older stories of the Wurundjeri people. The walk is free to join, and you pay what you want at the end. It carries a 4.96 rating across 56 GuruWalk reviews, the highest rating of any walk on this site.

The Route In Full: Flinders Street Station, Federation Square, Hosier Lane, The 19th-Century Arcades, Chinatown And The MCG, Told Across Two Hours From The Yarra

The walk begins at the Red Stair Amphitheatre and crosses the Yarra toward Flinders Street Railway Station, whose domed facade is one of the most photographed buildings in Australia. From there it moves through Federation Square and into the lanes, with Hosier Lane's street art, the glass-roofed 19th-century arcades and the bustle of Chinatown all on the route. Along the way the guides layer in the longer history of the Wurundjeri people and point out the MCG's role in the city's sporting life. Seven stops in total, each with a story attached.

Meeting Point And Practical Details: The Red Stair Amphitheatre On Southbank, The Rainbow Umbrella, The Two-Hour Pace And What To Expect On The Day

Meet at the Red Stair Amphitheatre on the Southbank side of the Yarra, next to the river, and look for the rainbow umbrella. The walk runs about 2 hours and needs a minimum of 2 people to go ahead. Two things to know before booking. First, this tour is not suitable for people with reduced mobility, which sets it apart from the other Melbourne walks on this site, and large group bookings are not accepted. Pets, on the other hand, are welcome. Cancellation is free. The tour itself costs nothing upfront, pay what you want at the end if you felt it was worth it.

Straight Rules, Place By Place