Seniors in Melbourne

Join us for a walk through Melbourne’s heart — starting right under the clocks at Flinders Street Station. On this Melbourne 3-hour walking tour, we’ll set off from the steps of Flinders Street Station to explore the lanes, alleys and arcades that encapsulate Melbourne’s history and, these days, underlie the appeal of the city for locals and visitors of all ages. When: Fridays, 10 am – 1 pm Where: Meet at 9.45 am on the steps of Flinders Street Station (under the clocks) Tickets: $60. Tour price includes tea or coffee. Maximum of 10. Minimum of 4. Highlights: Flinders Street Station, Degraves Street, Royal Arcade 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.

Melbourne’s city pubs aren’t just places to grab a pint, they’re part of the city’s living history, filled with stories of student days, six o’clock swills, and unexpected characters. Many of these old watering holes have disappeared, but the ones that remain still carry the spirit of Melbourne through their walls. Join this 3-hour walking tour to explore the history and stories behind some of Melbourne's best pubs. Tour highlights include: - Toast the history of the Mitre, which is in the city’s oldest building - Raise a glass to Chloe, our barroom icon of art, at Young & Jackson’s When: 3 - 6 pm Where: Meet at 2.45 pm outside the Mitre Tavern in Bank Place, just off Collins Street Tickets: $60. Tour price includes one drink at the end of the tour. Maximum of 10. Highlights: Mitre Tavern, Waterside Hotel, Young & Jackson’s Hotel Meet your Guide – Paul Daffey Paul is a lifelong Melburnian, journalist and storyteller whose love of local character brings every corner of the city to life.

Melbourne’s stories aren’t only found in books — they’re written into its streets, laneways and meeting places. City of Literature is a 3-hour guided walking tour exploring how Melbourne became a city shaped by writers, readers, publishers and ideas. From early newspapers and publishing houses to bookshops, cafés and laneways filled with words and colour, this tour traces the literary life of the city across time. We’ll gather at the State Library Victoria before heading further into the CBD, following a trail that reveals where stories were written, debated, printed and shared. Along the way, Paul Daffey brings together well-known names and lesser-known tales, showing how Melbourne earned its place as a UNESCO City of Literature — and why it was named the second city in the world to receive the title. This tour is ideal for curious readers, history lovers and anyone interested in the cultural forces that shaped Melbourne. Where: Meet 15 minutes before start time on the steps at the entrance to State Library Victoria Tickets: $60. Tour price includes tea or coffee. Maximum of 10 people. Minimum 4 people. Highlights: State Library Victoria, Athenaeum Library, Howey Place 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.

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

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

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

Hardware Lane was once the home of the horse trade, featuring saddles and spurs and ponies on parade. In the mid-1980s, it became the site of the city’s first pedestrian parade. Traffic was turned away. The street was paved. It became the home of a thriving restaurant and café strip, altering Melbourne’s image of itself and its portrayal to the world. Nearby cobbled thoroughfares like Niagara and Guildford lanes changed from working streets, featuring factories and warehouses, to residential streets, featuring the coolest apartments in urban settings. Before long, the Hardware Lane Precinct was the cornerstone for modern, metropolitan Melbourne. This tour offers a bridge between the money and muscle of the early city and the makeover that has been completed in recent decades. Allow yourself to be startled by the change. When: 2 pm – 3.30 pm Where: Meet on the steps of the GPO Building (under the H&M sign) in Bourke Street Tickets: $40. Maximum of 10 people. Minimum 4 people. Highlights: Hardware Lane, Niagara Lane, Guildford Lane 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

Join us for Journey to Dairy Hall — an informative wander through one of Melbourne’s most beloved traditions. We’ll meet on the steps of the historic General Post Office on Bourke Street before heading to Hardware Lane, a vibrant pedestrian strip filled with cafés, bars and classic Melbourne charm, and Guildford Lane, now a leafy retreat tucked behind the city’s bustle. We’ll make our way to the Queen Victoria Market, the city’s fresh-produce hub since 1878. You’ll get a taste of the market’s character, from heritage halls and long-running family stalls to fresh produce, specialty foods and the lively atmosphere that has kept the market thriving for generations. When: Thursdays, 10 am – 1 pm Where: Meet at 9.45 am on the steps of the General Post Office, Bourke Street Tickets: $60. Tour price includes tea or coffee. Maximum of 10. Highlights: GPO Building, Hardware Lane, Queen Victoria Market Meet your Guide – Paul Daffey Paul is a lifelong Melburnian, journalist and storyteller whose love of local character brings every corner of the city to life.

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) • Cost: $10 for Seniors myki holders | $20 for Full Fare myki holders • 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.

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: Sunday 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: $20 for Seniors myki holders | $20 for Full Fare myki holders • 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.