Melbourne: Electric Bike City Tour with Fitzroy Lunch Stop

Summary

Electric bike ride past street art, gardens, cricket ground and Fitzroy cafes

You’ll cruise Melbourne’s neighborhoods by electric bike, stopping for lunch in Fitzroy and catching glimpses of street art in Hosier Lane and grand sights like Parliament House or the Shrine of Remembrance. Expect local stories from your guide, time to soak up cafe culture, plus quiet moments in green gardens — all with almost no effort thanks to your e-bike boost.

What’s the experience like?

We started rolling out from Southgate, the city already humming but not too busy yet — I could hear a tram bell somewhere behind us. The e-bike felt almost too easy at first; I kept waiting for my legs to burn like usual but nope, just smooth gliding along the Yarra. Our guide, Tom (who had that dry Melbourne humor), pointed out where the Kulin Nation’s land runs right under the city’s glass towers. I hadn’t thought much about that before. There was this faint smell of coffee drifting from somewhere — probably one of those laneway spots we kept passing.

We zipped over to the Shrine of Remembrance and I remember Tom pausing for a second before talking about William Barak and the city’s tangled history. It was quiet there except for some birds — kind of a rare silence in Melbourne. Then suddenly we were by the Cricket Ground and Tom started telling stories about wild footy games; you could almost hear a phantom crowd cheering. I’m not even a sports person but it got me grinning.

The best bit? Lunch in Fitzroy. We parked up near this cafe (I forgot the name — something with “bean” in it?) and squeezed around a table outside. The bread was crusty, coffee strong enough to wake up anyone, and everyone seemed to know each other. Someone next to us was arguing about AFL teams in that friendly way only locals do. After lunch we rode through Chinatown — red lanterns overhead, dumpling smells everywhere — then stopped at Hosier Lane where every inch of wall is covered in graffiti layers so thick you can feel the paint texture if you run your hand along it (I did, probably shouldn’t have). Federation Square was buzzing as always, people spilling out onto the steps.

I still think about how easy it felt seeing so much of Melbourne on this electric bike tour — like getting a cheat code for the city. There were little moments I didn’t expect: sunlight flickering through Fitzroy Gardens trees or that old couple holding hands outside Parliament House. We ended near the Immigration Museum and Tom said half his family came through there ages ago. Made me wonder about my own story for a second… Anyway, if you want to see Melbourne without sweating buckets or missing details, this is honestly pretty great.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Melbourne city e-bike tour highlights

• Respect Kulin Nation land
• Learn about Melbourne founders
• Visit Shrine of Remembrance
• See Melbourne Cricket Ground
• Explore Fitzroy Gardens and Cook’s cottage
• View Parliament House of Victoria
• Visit Royal Exhibition Building
• Lunch stop in Fitzroy cafe
• Tour Melbourne Chinatown
• Discover Hosier Lane street art
• Experience Federation Square
• Overlook Immigration Museum

Top questions

How long is the Melbourne electric bike tour?

The tour lasts around 4 hours from start to finish.

Is lunch included on this day trip?

No, lunch isn’t included; bring cash for your meal stop in Fitzroy.

Are e-bikes provided or do I bring my own?

E-bikes are provided as part of your booking; just show up ready to ride.

Does this tour include a local guide?

Yes, you’ll be led by an experienced local guide throughout the route.

Is hotel pickup included?

No hotel pickup is offered; you meet at the starting point near Southgate.

What landmarks will we see during the tour?

You’ll visit places like Federation Square, Hosier Lane, Chinatown Melbourne, Fitzroy Gardens, Parliament House of Victoria, Royal Exhibition Building and more.

Is this suitable for beginners or people who aren’t fit?

Yes—e-bikes make it easy and most riding is on safe bike paths or parks.

Will we learn about Aboriginal history on this tour?

Your guide shares context about Aboriginal heritage including stories of William Barak and Kulin Nation lands as you ride.

What’s included

Your day includes use of an electric bike and helmet plus guidance from a knowledgeable local as you pedal through Melbourne’s neighborhoods; lunch is not included so bring some cash for your meal stop in Fitzroy before finishing back near Southgate after four hours on mostly off-road paths.