Melbourne Royal Arcade Tours
37 Reviews
Opened in 1892, the Royal Arcade is Melbourne’s oldest shopping arcade. It’s a visual feast, with a lofty glass ceiling that streams natural light onto the delicate Victorian metalwork, and home to a choice selection of boutiques, jewelers, chocolatiers, and cafes.
The Basics
A walking tour of Melbourne’s scenic laneways and historic arcades is a popular choice for visitors to the city. Exploring the maze-like streets with a guide will ensure you don’t get lost. Walking tours that include the Royal Arcade are often combined with other top Melbourne attractions such as a visit to Queen Victoria Market, a view from the Eureka Skydeck, or even a trip out to Phillip Island to watch the Penguin Parade.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Wear comfortable shoes if you’re taking a walking tour—the cobbled streets of Melbourne’s laneways require sturdy footwear.
- Most shops in the arcade are open daily from 9am to 5:30pm, with reduced hours on Sunday.
- The Royal Arcade is fully wheelchair accessible.
How to Get There
The Royal Arcade is located in the heart of downtown Melbourne, within easy walking distance of landmarks such as St. Patrick's Cathedral and Federation Square. There are entrances to the arcade on Little Collins Street, Bourke Street, and Elizabeth Street. The closest tram stop is Bourke Street Mall (lines 86 and 96), and it’s just three blocks from Melbourne Central train station.
When to Get There
The arcade is open daily, and it’s almost always busy, especially during the summer months of December and January. The most atmospheric time to visit is during the Christmas season, when the arcade is adorned with festive decorations.
Architecture of the Royal Arcade
The Royal Arcade is the work of acclaimed architect Charles Webb, whose other masterpiece is the Windsor Hotel on Spring Street. Renowned for its Italianate style, the arcade is characterised by high arches, dramatic glass and wrought iron ceiling, and lavish gold trims. The memorable centerpiece is Gaunt’s Clock, flanked by gigantic statues of mythical gods, Gog and Magog, who strike the clock each hour. Additional highlights include the Victorian-era glass shopfronts and the grand Renaissance Revival-style entryway on Bourke Street.
Address: 335 Bourke Street, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia
13 Tours and Activities to Experience Melbourne Royal Arcade
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Melbourne Lanes and Arcades Walking Tour
293
Explore Melbourne’s charming laneways and opulent arcades on a small-group walking tour. Uncovered tucked-away gems like specialty boutiques and local fashion designers, and savor Melbourne’s café culture with a stop for coffee or tea, a chocolate tasting and an optional lunch at a local eatery. Tour numbers are limited to eight people to ensure a personalized experience.
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From
$79.69
From
$79.69
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Gear/equipment sanitized between use
Learn More

Rediscover Melbourne Tour
560
Join our tour guides for a walk through Australia’s culture capital and learn what makes this city great and so much more.
When you arrive, you'll explore Melbourne 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. Depot Adventures tour guides want to show you the real Melbourne – the city we know and love.
Your tour will stop for a coffee and conclude near the Old Melbourne Gaol, where you learn about Australia’s most infamous bush ranger. After your tour is finished, your guide will brings the group to a classic Australian pub where you can experience traditional Aussie food.
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From
$55.54
From
$55.54

Melbourne Foodie Discovery Walking Tour
79
Melbourne is Australia’s culinary capital, but to discover the city’s foodie hotspots, you need a local guide. On this food walking tour, explore Melbourne’s atmospheric laneways and arcades; visit the city’s coolest bars, cafés, and street food stalls; and sample everything from Chinese dumplings to sweet pastries. This small-group tour is limited to 10 people for an authentic local experience.
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From
$87.74
From
$87.74

Melbourne Bike Tour with Lunch
385
See more of the Melbourne sites that interest you on this half-day, guided bike tour. From hidden laneways to historic landmarks, get an insider’s perspective on the best of Melbourne while enjoying the speed and flexibility of touring on two wheels. Start your tour in central Melbourne or the cruise port to suit your interests. Bikes, gear and lunch are included on this small-group tour.
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From
$96.59
From
$96.59

Live like a Local: Explore some favourite spots on a playful audio walking tour
Get an insider view of Melbourne without the expense of a live guide when you download this audio tour. You don’t need internet access to run it: audio, maps, and geodata work offline. And you can stop and start whenever you want, or even come back. By the time you’re done, you’ll have places to go, dishes to snaffle, and drinks to sip—enough for a fortnight’s vacation.
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From
$5.40
From
$5.40

Guided walking tour of Melbourne
The only guided walking tour of the city of Melbourne 100% in Spanish!
In addition, the tour is fully open to improvisation and personal preferences of the group.
Small groups of a maximum of 10 people so you can ask and ask any questions without any problem.
Learn the secrets that this city hides at the hands of a person who has lived in it for more than 4 years.
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From
$42.93
From
$42.93

Private Tour of Melbourne
16
Looking for an exclusive experience for your family, office, or club? Rent a professional guide for 3 hours to start and finish at the place & time of your choosing.
At the start of the tour, your guide will work with you to set the itinerary.
Want us to focus on street art? Laneways? Sport?
Want to try dumplings in Chinatown? Coffee at an iconic cafe? Cocktails on a rooftop?
No worries! Just let us know when you book and we’d be happy to accommodate.
Not sure what to do? We'll take you on Melbourne's highlights, spending 3 hours covering the best our city has to offer - street art, historic arcades, iconic laneways, Chinatown, and Melbourne's oldest jail.
When you make your booking please include any special requests, as well as where you would like the tour to start from (pickup available from any city location — we'll use public transport to navigate through the city).
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From
$401.66
per group
From
$401.66
per group

Urban Vintage Walking Tour
Explore the treasure trove of vintage clothing shops in the heart of Melbourne on this three hour walking tour. Upstairs, underground and down alley ways – discover the hidden shops with the best vintage clothing. The tour covers a range of styles and eras from the 1920s to the 1990s with a flexible itinerary depending on what you are looking for.
Whether you’re looking for vintage band tshirts, a psychedelic dress from the 60s or a twin set from the 50s your local tour host will help you find just what you want.
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From
$119.93
From
$119.93
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Learn More

Half Day Small Group Guided Shopping Tour in Melbourne
Discover Melbourne’s shopping culture on a 3-hour tour through the city center. Visit art galleries featuring Aboriginal art, head underground to Lightning Ridge Opal Mines and discover beautiful jewelry, and visit a number of local artisan shops to sample chocolates, jams, sauces and other specialty foods. Purchase some of these high quality goods or just window shop your way through the city.
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From
$86.15
From
$86.15
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Guides required to regularly wash hands
Learn More

Melbourne Bites and Sights with Eureka Skydeck Entrance and Tram Ride
40
Get to know the essence of Melbourne from top to bottom. A visit to the 88th-floor Eureka Skydeck offers a panoramic overview of the sights you’ll explore next. Eating is a favorite local activity, so back on the ground you’ll stop for a bite at one of your guide’s favorite international restaurants and sip a ‘flat white’ or other coffee drink at a classic Melbourne laneway cafe. Test out the city’s seamless tram system with a ride to the bustling Queen Victoria Market, a perfect spot to pick up lunch provisions.
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From
$78.19
From
$78.19
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers
Learn More

Melbourne - Private Bites and Sights Tour Including Entrance to Eureka Skydeck
12
With limited time to spend in Melbourne, book a private tour that takes you from city streets to the Eureka Skydeck in just 3 hours. Sip a coffee drink of your choice, discover the street art scene, sample a hearty tasting of multicultural food, and finish with a bottle of beer at a hidden laneway bar. With a personal guide you’ll get a literal taste of Melbourne highlights.
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From
$146.39
Price varies by group size
From
$146.39
Price varies by group size
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Guides required to regularly wash hands
Paid stay-at-home policy for staff with symptoms
Learn More

Made in Melbourne Private Shopping Tour Including Local Stores Visit
2
Discover Melbourne’s shopping scene and get the inside scoop on where to shop in the city. This private shopping tour can be customized to suit your tastes, whether you want to hunt for unique finds in vintage shops, shop for hand-made creations at artisan boutiques, or browse the city’s markets. During the morning, visit as many shops as you like, receive plenty of tips on where to go in Melbourne, and stop to enjoy a coffee and cake at a local café.
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From
$99.01
Price varies by group size
From
$99.01
Price varies by group size
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Guides required to regularly wash hands
Paid stay-at-home policy for staff with symptoms
Learn More

Central Melbourne Walking Tour
496
Get the inside scoop on Melbourne’s history and highlights on this entertaining walking tour. Learn about Melbourne’s early settlers and how the city transitioned from a 19th-century port town to Victoria’s modern capital. Your local guide leads you through central Melbourne’s iconic laneways and arcades and fills you in on landmarks like Flinders Street Station, Federation Square, and Hosier Lane.
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From
$40.25
From
$40.25
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