Hidden Secrets Tours Lanes and Arcades Walk (with Lunch)

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Three hours on foot through Melbourne's lanes and Victorian arcades with a local guide, from Federation Square into the city's hidden shopping and cafe corners, with a chocolate tasting on the way and lunch at the end.

Days

About 4 hours with lunch

Group size

Small group

Start / finish

Federation Square / Melbourne city centre

Return

See itinerary for details

Transport

Walking tour

Meals

Lunch at the end; drink stop and chocolate tasting

Route

Map of Hidden Secrets Tours Lanes and Arcades Walk (with Lunch)

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Included experiences

Block Arcade — mosaic floors in an 1892 arcade
Royal Arcade — shopping arcade opened in 1869
Degraves Street and Centre Place — cafe lanes
Chocolate salon — tasting stop
Lanes and street art — designers, galleries and specialty shops

Hidden Secrets Tours Lanes and Arcades Walk (with Lunch)

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Itinerary

Map

MORNING OR AFTERNOON: FEDERATION SQUARE

You meet your guide outside Comma, the cafe in Federation Square, at a 10am or 2pm start. The square opened in 2002 over the railway lines beside Flinders Street Station, and its broken-up stone and glass facades still split opinion. From here it's a short walk across Flinders Street into the grid of the city, and into the first of the lanes. Hidden Secrets has been running this walk since 2004, and it was the city's first laneways tour, so your guide knows which doors are worth pushing open.

THE LANES: DEGRAVES STREET AND CENTRE PLACE

The route changes a little from walk to walk, but it usually takes in Degraves Street and Centre Place, two narrow lanes packed with tiny cafes, tables on the cobbles and shops the size of a cupboard. They're the picture most people have of Melbourne. Your guide also leads you down smaller lanes that most visitors walk straight past, with street art, galleries, local designers and specialty shops you won't find anywhere else. Partway through you stop for a seated break with a non-alcoholic drink of your choice, and a chocolate tasting at a local chocolate salon.

THE ARCADES: GOLD RUSH MONEY

The gold rush of the 1850s made Melbourne one of the richest cities in the world, and the arcades show where the money went. The Royal Arcade opened in 1869 and is the oldest arcade in Australia. Look up at its clock, where the giant figures of Gog and Magog have struck the hours since 1892. The Block Arcade, finished in 1892, has a mosaic tiled floor, a glass roof and carved stone modelled on the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele in Milan. Your guide fills in the stories of the buildings around them.

LUNCH AND THE AFTERNOON

After about three hours the guided walk ends and you sit down to lunch on your own, included in this option. Your guide leaves you with a list of the places worth going back to, so the rest of the day can be spent in the shops and lanes you liked best.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Outside Comma (formerly the Time Out Cafe), Federation Square, 2 Swanston Street.
Departure time: Monday to Saturday, starting at 10am or 2pm; your time is confirmed when you book.
Duration: About three hours of walking, about four hours with lunch.
Suits: First-time visitors and locals alike. The tour can be adapted for mobility needs.
Please note: Guided in English. The guide does not join you for lunch. No tours on Sundays.

What is included

Local guide for about three hours
Seated drink stop with a non-alcoholic drink of your choice
Chocolate tasting at a local chocolate salon
Lunch at the end of the walk (unaccompanied)
Map and information

Not included

Shopping along the way

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

What immunisations do I need?

For the latest information on immunisations, we strongly recommend you or contact the Travellers Medical and Vaccination Centre (www.traveldoctor.com.au) to discuss health requirements for your trip. They will advise you about appropriate inoculations.

Do I need to take any medical supplies?

It is not necessary to bring any medical supplies other than any personal items you may require. Each tour carries a first aid box, and the tour guides are all certified in First Aid.

Do I need travel insurance?

Insurance is important in protecting visitors from loss or damange of goods, medical problems, cancelation by passengers or other casualties. Its highly recommended. Some tours on this website require you to have travel insurance. If you are Australian then it is not necessary.

Where can I get more information about this trip?

If you find that this tour page doesn't answer all your questions, then please get in contact with us! Our passionate team are always available to answer any queries you may have.

Will I be able to use my mobile whilst on tour?

You can use your mobile while touring in Australia or New Zealand, but coverage may be limited in remote areas. For best connectivity, consider purchasing a local SIM card or an international roaming plan.

How fit do I need to be?

These tours are designed to be fun, informative and active, and can be enjoyed by anyone with a moderate degree of fitness and agility. Travellers should be comfortable with hiking or walking up to 5km each day.

What should I pack?

Depending on where in Australia or New Zealand you decide to visit, your luggage will vary. For exact information please visit the "What to bring" section of each tour page.

Private tours and families

Is it possible to travel in a private group?

If you are looking for a private tour based on one of these trips, please contact us directly and we may be able to help. Over the years we have worked with families, groups of friends, schools, clubs and charities to put together the perfect trip.

Booking the trip

If I book more than one tour can I get a discount?

Absolutely! If you are booking multiple tours then we may be able to offer you a discount. Send us an email at info@lostinaustralia.org and let us know what you thinking of doing and we can put together a price for you.Also, be sure to look out for monthly specials on tours. We often have some great bargains.

Does the tour price include flights?

No. Tour prices do not include any travel arrangements other than for the duration of the tour itself. If you need assistance with booking flights or buses our travel team and certainly help - Just ask!

How far in advance do I need to book my tour?

As a rule of thumb, try to book at least 2 weeks prior to departure, this will usually get you a seat on the date you want. That being said, we cannot guarantee that spaces will be available at the time of your booking so, if you can, book as soon as possible. Bookings can still be made right up until the departure date of the tour if seats are available. If you know when you'd like to travel, please contact us and we will let you know if you need to book soon or if you have time.

Do I have to book this tour online?

Definitely not. Our website is designed to make is easy and convenient for you to schedule your tour. However we understand sometimes its nice to talk to someone directly. So by all means give us a call and we can organise your trip over the phone.

How do I know when a tour is available?

You can check the departure dates of tours by using our calendar on the top right hand corner of the tour page. This will tell you what days the tour departs. For availability of seats please contact us directly at info@lostinaustralia.org or call us.

If I make a deposit only, when will I need to pay the balance?

Balance on tours need to be paid at least 30 days prior to departure. Failure to do so could result is the cancellation of your seat with a fee charged. If you need more time to clear your balance then let us know ASAP and arrangements can be made.

Who travels with us

Is it ok to travel alone on one of these tours?

Plenty of travellers book these tours on their own. Solo travellers are very much welcomed and encouraged. During your outback adventure you'll meet new and interesting people and forge relationships that last a lifetime.Solo travellers will usually share a room with a travelling companion of the same sex, but even if you do get your own room you won't be charged extra. On camping tours there are generally enough tents available that you can have your own if you choose to.For more information please contact us directly.

Cost and Fees

Do I need to tip the guide?

If you had an amazing time on tour and wish to tip your guide, that is completely up to you. Tipping is not customary in Australia and is not at all expected.

Will I need additional money?

Travellers are advised to bring some cash, as ATMs and banks can be few and far between in the remote parts of the trip. It is handy to have some extra cash, as the tour does stop by local shops and cafes.

Are there any hidden fees I need to know about?

Our tour prices are completely transparent. There are no additional fees involved that are not included in the overall tour price shown. If you wish to do optional activities such as helicopter rides or wildlife safaris, then an extra cost may be needed. However, this will always be made clear at the time of your booking.

What does Paid Locally mean?

Some tours require you to pay national park fees directly, in cash, to the tour guide on the morning of departure. Rest assured this will be subtracted from the tour price when reserving your tour.

Whilst on tour

Can I book extra accommodation for the start and end of the tour?

We know our country inside and out and would be happy to give you good recommodations. Please contact us for recommendations.

Where do I meet the tour?

For pick-up times and locations, please check the "Start/Finish" section directly under the itinerary, which lists every pick-up point and its time.There is a lot of information there to help you plan your flights and arrival.Please review it carefully, as pick-ups can vary from tour to tour.

Reviews

5.0

Based on 2 reviews

Verified from

Real reviews from travellers who've done this tour, gathered from around the web and paraphrased.

How we collect and publish reviews

Where they come from. Our reviews are gathered from independent review sites and from guests who share feedback with us directly after their trip. They come from people who have actually travelled on the tour. Some longer trips are made up of shorter tours we also sell, run back to back — where a review was written about one of those legs, the review says so.

Why some are edited. Many of our guests travel in their second or third language. Where a review is hard to read, we lightly edit spelling, grammar and punctuation, or paraphrase a sentence for clarity. We never change the rating, the meaning or the sentiment, and we never write a review on a guest's behalf.

Reading the originals. Reviews sourced from public review sites appear there in their original form, and can be read in full at their original source at any time.

(5/5)

Melinda was a pleasure as our guide on the lanes and alleyways tour through Melbourne, sharing the city's hidden secrets in an informative and fun way. We loved the coffee stop, the chocolate tasting and a delicious lunch at a Peruvian restaurant.

Chauntel Thomas Verified· Travelled 24th September 2026

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(5/5)

An excellent tour of Melbourne's historic arcades, now shopping and dining spots, plus hidden alleys covered in local street art, all thanks to our guide Liz. It included chocolate tasting, coffee and a delicious lunch with wine at a Peruvian restaurant.

Richard Lee Verified· Travelled 16th September 2025

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