Seniors in Melbourne

Flinders Lane has lived many lives — and its story is written into the buildings, laneways and corners that most people hurry past. Starting at the eastern end of Flinders Lane, we’ll trace the area’s changing fortunes, from clothing factories and warehouses to small bars, creative spaces and acclaimed restaurants. Along the way, Paul Daffey brings the street’s past to life with stories of workers, makers and mischief — and asks whether AC/DC Lane really deserves its rock-and-roll reputation. This tour is ideal for anyone who thinks they know Flinders Lane, and visitors curious about how Melbourne’s laneway culture came to be. When: 10.00 am - 1.00 pm Where: Meet at the corner of Spring Street and Flinders Lane Tickets: Tickets: $60. Tour price includes coffee/tea at cafe. Maximum of 10. Minimum of 4. Highlights: AC/DC Lane, Pawson House, Nicholas Building Meet your guide – Paul Daffey Paul is a lifelong Melburnian, journalist and storyteller whose deep knowledge of the city’s working past and creative present adds colour and context to every walk. His tours focus on the small details and human stories that give Melbourne its character. For more information visit www.seniorsinmelbourne.com.au/tours

Step back in time by visiting Melbourne’s original shopping hot spots, the Block Arcade and the Royal Arcade, as well as the Cathedral Arcade, which was a later addition to Melbourne’s retail palette. Through the Arcades is a 90-minute guided walking tour that explores a compact but richly layered part of the city, where grand arcades, narrow laneways and European-style cafés tell the story of Melbourne’s early ambition and enduring charm. The Block and Royal arcades were built in the late 19th century, when Melbourne was among the most thriving cities in the world. They both shine with the glamour of those years, with shops that feature quality and style. And they both reek of craftmanship. The Block Arcade’s exquisite mosaic-tile floor is among the wonders of the city. The Cathedral Arcade was built at the base of the Nicholas Building between the two world wars, when the Chicago school of architecture was making its mark around the world. Its barrel-vault ceiling is a rare delight. Its shops offer vintage charm and modern design. It continues to attract shoppers of taste from near and far. The tour is ideal for those who like to walk through the past while keeping an eye on the whims of the present. When: 2.00 pm - 3.30 pm Where: Meet at 1.45 pm under the clocks at the entrance to Flinders Street Station Tickets: $40. Maximum of 10 people. Minimum 4 people. Highlights: Cathedral Arcade, Block Arcade, Royal Arcade Meet your Guide – Paul Daffey Paul is a lifelong Melburnian, journalist and storyteller. His easy manner and deep knowledge bring Melbourne’s history to life, revealing small details and stories that most people walk past every day. For more information visit www.seniorsinmelbourne.com.au/tours

A journey through the arcades that have always captivated Melbourne and the laneways that have come to captivate us in recent years. · Meet: on the steps of Flinders Street Station (under the clocks) · Route: Degraves Street, Centre Place, Collins Street, Bourke Street, Little Bourke Street, Little Collins Street · Highlights: Signature laneways, street sculptures, Block Arcade, Royal Arcade · Tea or coffee (30 minutes): Manchester Press Cafe, Rankins Lane · End: Swanston Street (on the corner of Bourke Street) · Tickets: $60 per person (maximum 10; minimum 4) · Disabled access: yes (please advise beforehand). Meet your Guide - Paul Daffey Paul is a lifelong Melburnian, journalist, and storyteller. His love of local history and character comes through in every step of his tours around Melbourne. Whether he’s recounting tales of a century-old pub or pointing out a detail most people miss, Paul has a knack for making the city’s past feel alive and wonderfully human.

For more than 150 years, Queen Victoria Market has offered fresh produce in a setting that has given it a place in the hearts of all Melburnians. The dairy hall, in all its triple-brick majesty, is cool in summer and warm in winter and a focus for quality at the right price all year round. The Meat and Fish Hall brims with energy. Its stalls have often passed through the hands of generations. Choice cuts can be found in every window and on every slab. Some buildings are said to have the right bones. The Meat and Fish Hall has the right bones and choice cuts and snippets of advice for everyone who ventures inside. Hear the stories and The City of Melbourne’s newest library, Narrm Ngarrgu, is opposite the market, in Therry Street. With its uber-cool design and superb views, it suggests the possibilities for the market precinct in years to come. If you’re someone who enjoys hearing stories around the dinner table, you’ll love the stories of the market. Prepare to tuck in. Bon appetite! When: 2pm – 3.30pm Where: Meet at Queen Victoria Market on the corner of Elizabeth Street and Therry Street (routes 19, 57, 59; tram stop 7) Tickets: Tickets: $40. Maximum of 10. Minimum of 4. Highlights: Dairy Produce Hall, Meat and Fish Hall, QVM precinct library Meet your Guide – Paul Daffey Paul is a lifelong Melburnian, journalist and storyteller. His easy manner and deep knowledge bring Melbourne’s history to life, revealing small details and stories that most people walk past every day. For more information visit www.seniorsinmelbourne.com.au/tours

A Journey Through Melbourne’s Changing Heart Join local guide Paul Daffey, Seniors in Melbourne and Transport Victoria for an engaging one-hour walking tour designed specifically for local explorers, especially Seniors myki card holders. The Metro Tunnel is the biggest transformation of Melbourne’s rail network in 40 years, creating space for more people to move safely and comfortably as we become Australia’s biggest city. We’ll step off the beaten path to explore the innovation and expansion driving the future of our city. From the historic clocks of Flinders Street to the cutting-edge developments of the new Town Hall and State Library stations, this tour offers a firsthand look at how Melbourne is evolving to service its growing community. What to Expect: • Expert Insight: Discover the stories behind the city’s massive infrastructure shifts. • The Route: We start under the clocks at Flinders Street, venture through the iconic Campbell Arcade, and navigate the newest additions to our rail network, concluding at the State Library. • Accessibility: The route utilizes lifts and public transport (approx. 1 hour duration). Event Details: • Dates: Sunday 17, 24 & 31 May • Times: 10:00am, 12:00pm, and 2:30pm daily • Meeting Point: Flinders Street Station entrance (under the clocks) • Capacity: Strictly limited to 15 people per tour for a personalized experience. Don’t miss your chance to see the city from a new perspective. Book your spot today! This tour is a proud partnership with Seniors in Melbourne and Transport Victoria. Seniors myki card holders can now travel free on weekends, Victoria wide. For more information visit www.transport.vic.gov.au/myki.

An exploration of the reasons behind Melbourne’s status as a city that has been shaped by writers, readers, publishers and ideas. · Meet: on the steps of State Library Victoria · Route: Swanston Street, Collins Street, Little Collins Street, Dame Edna Place, Howey Place · Highlights: State Library, Athenaeum Library, Doing the Block, the Palace of Intellect · Tea or coffee break (30 minutes): Dymock’s Café Melbourne · End: Swanston Street (in front of Melbourne Town Hall) · Tickets: $60 per person (maximum 10; minimum 4) · Disabled access: yes (please advise beforehand). Meet your guide – Paul Daffey Paul is a lifelong Melburnian, journalist and storyteller whose deep connection to the city’s cultural life adds richness and context to every walk. With an eye for detail and a love of language, he reveals the stories that have helped define Melbourne.

A review of the money and muscle of the city’s earliest industrial days through to the origins of the laneways makeover. · Meet: on the steps of the GPO Building (under the H&M sign) in Bourke Street · Route: Postal Lane, Little Bourke Street, Rankins Lane, Hardware Lane, Niagara Lane, Hardware Street, Guildford Lane · Highlights: Boom era warehouses, the Super Seven, the pot-plants of Guildford Lane · End: Guildford Lane · Tickets: $40 per person (maximum 10; minimum 4) · Disabled access: yes (please advise beforehand). Meet your guide – Paul Daffey Paul is a lifelong Melburnian, journalist and storyteller who delights in uncovering the layers of history hiding in plain sight. His tours focus on the human stories and small details that give Melbourne its distinctive character. Find more information at www.seniorsinmelbourne.com.au/tours

A Journey Through the Golden City Escape the city and join the Seniors Explore Club for a captivating two-hour tour of Bendigo, hosted by Seniors in Melbourne and Transport Victoria. Led by expert guide Paul Daffey, we’ll delve into the rich history of one of Victoria’s fastest-growing regional hubs, tracing its journey from a gold-rush boomtown to a vibrant modern destination. From the majestic architecture of the Shamrock Hotel to the hidden gems of Chancery Lane, this tour highlights the stories galore embedded in Bendigo’s historic streetscapes and its famous rail line. Tour Highlights: • Architectural Grandeur: Marvel at St Paul’s Cathedral and the ornate Bendigo Town Hall. • Local Legends: Hear the history behind Gillie’s Pies and the evolving retail heart of the city. • Scenic Views: Enjoy the gorgeous views and gold-era charm of Pall Mall. • Relax halfway through with a complimentary coffee and cake at a local café Event Details: • When: Saturday 6 June • Times: 11:00am and 2:00pm • Meeting Point: Front of Bendigo Train Station (Perfect for those arriving by V/Line!) • Duration: 2 hours (includes refreshments) • Cost: Free • Capacity: Strictly limited to 15 people. Discover why Bendigo is a place worth travelling for. Reserve your spot now! This tour is a proud partnership with Seniors in Melbourne and Transport Victoria. Seniors myki card holders can now travel free on weekends, Victoria wide. For more information visit www.transport.vic.gov.au/myki.