Melbourne: City Bike Tour with Street Art & Local History

Summary

Cycle through laneways, gardens, and stories of old & new Melbourne

You’ll pedal through Melbourne’s iconic sights with a local guide—think street art in Hosier Lane, dumplings in Chinatown, echoes inside the Shrine of Remembrance, and leafy paths through Fitzroy Gardens. This small-group bike tour lets you feel the city’s rhythm up close—and maybe even laugh at yourself trying to order lunch in another language.

What’s the experience like?

Ever wondered what Melbourne smells like at 10am from a bike seat? For me, it was coffee drifting out of tiny windows near Federation Square, mixed with a bit of river breeze. We started there—our guide, Sam, waved us over with this easy grin and right away it felt more like joining a friend than following a tour leader. He acknowledged the Kulin Nation first (I liked that), then we pedaled off, weaving past trams and people in those wild patterned coats you only see here.

I didn’t expect to laugh so much at the Shrine of Remembrance—Sam had stories about William Barrack and the way he described the city’s past made it feel close, not distant. The war memorial itself is quiet inside; I remember the echo of our footsteps and someone’s perfume lingering in the cool air. Then suddenly we were outside again, sun on our faces, rolling toward Fitzroy Gardens where Cook’s Cottage sits tucked under big old trees. The bricks really did come from England—who does that?

Lunch was in Chinatown (bring cash for dumplings!), sitting elbow-to-elbow with locals on plastic stools. There was this moment when I tried to order in Mandarin—Li behind the counter just grinned and shook her head at my accent but handed me an extra spring roll anyway. We cycled through Hosier Lane after that—the spray paint smell hit first, then all those colors just kind of vibrate around you. I still think about one mural with a blue dog wearing sunglasses; no idea why it stuck.

The Melbourne bike tour covers so much ground but never feels rushed. Parliament House looked grand against the sky, but honestly my favorite bit was just coasting along Southgate by the river while Sam pointed out which buildings used to be gold rush banks and which are now apartments full of students. My legs were tired by the end but in that good way—you know?

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Melbourne iconic sights bike tour

• Pay respects to Kulin Nation
• Introduce settler figures
• Visit Shrine of Remembrance
• See Melbourne Cricket Ground
• Discover Cook’s cottage in Fitzroy Gardens
• Visit Parliament House of Victoria
• Explore Royal Exhibition Building
• Lunch in eclectic neighborhood
• Visit Melbourne Chinatown
• See street art in Hosier Lane
• Enjoy Federation Square
• View Immigration Museum

Top questions

How long is the Melbourne bike tour?

The tour lasts about 4.5 hours from start to finish.

Is lunch included on this Melbourne city bike tour?

No, lunch isn’t included—bring some money for food during the stop in Chinatown.

What are some highlights of this Melbourne bike tour?

You’ll visit Federation Square, Hosier Lane for street art, Chinatown for lunch, Fitzroy Gardens with Cook’s Cottage, Parliament House, Royal Exhibition Building, MCG area, Shrine of Remembrance, Southgate and see the Immigration Museum from outside.

Is this Melbourne bike tour suitable for beginners?

Yes—it’s suitable for all physical fitness levels and moves at a relaxed pace.

Does this day trip include use of bikes and helmets?

Yes—bicycle and helmet use are included in your booking.

Who leads the Melbourne city bike tour?

A knowledgeable local guide leads each small group on the route.

Where does the Melbourne bike tour start?

The starting point is near Federation Square in central Melbourne.

What’s included

Your day includes use of a bicycle and helmet throughout the guided ride across central Melbourne. Lunch isn’t covered so bring some cash for your meal stop in Chinatown before cycling on to more city sights together.