Top 15 Australia History Tours

1.Ultimate Melbourne Walking Tour: History, Laneways & Culture

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,451 reviews · from $92Our pick

Walk Melbourne with a local English-speaking guide such as Emily, Ian, Hugo, Bo, or Mike. See Federation Square, Hosier Lane when included, Flinders Street Station, arcades, Chinatown, the State Library, and Old Melbourne Gaol. Coffee, a map, local tips, and a drink at Captain Melville are included.

“We were very lucky to have the lovely and knowledgeable Ian on our tour! The meeting place was by the big fountain at Gordon reserve opposite the Windsor hotel - you can spot the team holding blue umbrellas. We had a very small group on our tour six, a lovely family for and myself and my friend. Ian made the effort to get to know us a little so he could tailor some of the facts that he told us. The walking tour itself was fabulous and we saw lots of great architecture, arcades & street art. I live in Melbourne myself and my friend was visiting from the UK…”

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2.Puffing Billy Railway: Heritage Steam Train Journey

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 1,195 reviews · 2 - 4 hours · from $29

Ride Puffing Billy, a preserved steam railway built in 1900, through the Dandenong Ranges east of Melbourne. Choose a journey from Belgrave or Lakeside, sit in historic carriages, and enjoy the famous leg-dangling tradition between Belgrave and Lakeside. Allow 2 to 4 hours, with no hotel transfers included.

“We had a wonderful time riding on Puffing Billy. The scenery in the Dandenong region is stunning. The volunteer staff were very efficient and great fun. I travelled with my adult granddaughters and we all had an amazing time. At the age of 74 it’s the first time I have travelled on a train, sitting with my legs dangling over the side!”

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3.Morning World Heritage Cruise on the Gordon River from Strahan

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,193 reviews · from $111

Spend six hours cruising from Strahan through Macquarie Harbour, Hell’s Gates, Sarah Island, and the Gordon River. Expect live commentary, a guided convict-settlement walk, buffet lunch, and a rainforest boardwalk in Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park. Upper-deck seating includes morning tea and lunch, while main-deck seating includes lunch.

“Great scenery and fabulous commentary .Seeing and hearing about the Franklin Dam where David defeated Goliath. All in all a spectacular day out.”

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4.Strahan: World Heritage Cruise on Gordon River with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 1,143 reviews · 6 hours · from $109

Spend six hours aboard a family-run catamaran from Strahan, passing Hells Gates, touring Sarah Island with a local guide, walking the Gordon River rainforest at Heritage Landing, and visiting a Huon pine sawmill. Lunch is served at your seat, with four seating choices and commentary from the skipper.

“Friendly and helpfulstaff. Bonus was Rob was our skipper. Perfect weather and we loved the whole experience. Thoroughly recommended.”

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5.Sydney: The Rocks 90-Minute History Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,092 reviews · 1h 30m · from $32

Walk The Rocks with an English-speaking specialist guide for 90 minutes, tracing Sydney’s early settlement through lanes, courtyards, old pubs, and harbour viewpoints. Guides such as Judith, Anne, Vickie, Paul, and John bring the area to life with stories about convicts and local life. Small groups, amplified commentary, umbrellas, and a manual wheelchair and pram friendly route are included.

“We absolutely loved our 90minutes with Paul and would recommend this tour to anyone — even local Sydney-siders looking to appreciate their city even more. Paul’s knowledge was so impressive as was his ability to make the people of the past relatable and fascinating.”

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6.Experience History onboard The Mary Valley Rattler

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 963 reviews · from $49

Step into restored Gympie Station, browse the museum, then board the Mary Valley Rattler for a three-hour return ride to Amamoor. Volunteers provide commentary as the steam train rolls through the Mary Valley. You can buy snacks, drinks, wine, and cheese before departure or at stops along the way.

“The whole trip was lovely. It brought back memories of train travel as a child, the excitement at the station before boarding the train. The train on the turntable was great. The beautiful stations at Dagan and Amamoor were delightful.”

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7.Snorkel & Dive the Reef: Sustainable, Scientific & Cultural Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 841 reviews · from $232

Spend about eight hours traveling from Cairns to Reef Magic’s outer-reef Marine World platform. Snorkel with supplied gear, join marine biologist talks, or stay dry in the semi-submersible, glass-bottom boat, and underwater observatory. Optional scuba sessions, helmet walks, and helicopter flights cost extra. Guides including Ella, Ethan, Kaitlin, and Takuya may assist guests.

“Had an unforgettable day! The staff was incredibly friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable—they went above and beyond to ensure we had an amazing and safe experience. I still can't believe we swam in the Great Barrier Reef and actually saw NRead more”

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8.Derwent River Historic Harbour Cruise From Hobart

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 570 reviews · from $25Best value

Take a one-hour cruise from Murray Street Pier through Hobart Harbour and the Derwent River. Choose the north route for the Botanical Gardens, Government House, and Tasman Bridge, or the south route for Battery Point, Sandy Bay, and Bellerive Bluff. Lunch and dinner departures add meals.

“Can't really hear commentary if sitting outside. Very pleasure ride around the river. Great knowledge from your guide. Was worth the trip”

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9.From Perth: Wave Rock, York and Aboriginal Cultural Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 498 reviews · 12h 30m · from $176

Travel from Perth through York and the Wheatbelt to Wave Rock, Hippo’s Yawn and Mulka’s Cave. Your English-speaking guide handles the long drive, country-style lunch and attraction entries, with guides such as James, Luke, Chris and Anton praised for lively local commentary.

“The trip went off very well and was very well managed.”

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10.Tasman Island Cruises and Port Arthur Historic Site Day Tour from Hobart

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 477 reviews · from $236

Travel from Hobart to the Tasman Peninsula by bus, take a three-hour Pennicott wilderness cruise past sea cliffs, caves, seals, and dolphins, then spend three hours at Port Arthur Historic Site. Guides such as Paul, Phil, Alan, and Murray are praised for safe driving, local insight, and friendly service.

“Just the best crew, and well worth it. One of the best experiences. The raw grandeur was beautiful and beyond words.”

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11.Discover Perth Walking Tour: History, Art, Local Insights + More!

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 458 reviews · from $51

Walk 3 km through central Perth with guides such as Alex, Adie, Phoebe, Lucy, and Chloe. Expect public art, architecture, laneways, city stories, historical sites, a coffee and bathroom pause, and useful local advice. The small group tour begins at 9:30 am near Perth Digital Tower and ends at Barrack Square.

“Guides really know perth was well informed was easy walk with a few stops to chat and test wasnt tiring at all”

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12.Tasman Peninsula Tour, Cruise & Port Arthur Historic Site

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 339 reviews · 10h 30m · from $233

Travel from Hobart to the Tasman Peninsula by guided coach, enjoy morning tea, then take a custom-built boat past sea caves, cliffs, waterfalls, seals, dolphins, and migrating whales. After lunch, spend three hours at Port Arthur Historic Site. Guides such as Phil, Allen, and Tim are praised for clear commentary and friendly care.

“Everything was as promised n well executed loved the experience”

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13.Ultimate Melbourne Walking Tour: History, Laneways & Culture

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 338 reviews · 3 hours · from $91

Walk Melbourne’s laneways, arcades, grand civic buildings and riverfront with a local English-speaking guide. You’ll hear Gold Rush tales, see Hosier Lane, stop for a flat white or hot chocolate, and finish with a pub drink at Captain Melville. Guides such as Hugo, Emily, Beau and Ian are known for lively stories and local tips.

“Really enjoyable and informative tour, made though by our superb guide, Emily. Thank you!”

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14.Hobart: Historic Lunch Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 271 reviews · 1h 30m · from $46

From Murray Street Pier, cruise past Battery Point, Sandy Bay, Wrest Point, Bellerive, Kangaroo Bluff and under the Tasman Bridge. Your captain provides live English commentary while you enjoy a one-course lunch of steak, crumbed fish, chicken schnitzel or a veggie patty. Allow 90 minutes, and exchange your voucher at the white and grey cabin first.

“Wonderful relaxing cruise, excellent lunch and sightseeing; very informative Boat Master. Outstanding value for money - would do this again when in Hobart”

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15.Discover Perth Walking Tour: History, Art, Sights + More!

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 183 reviews · 3 hours · from $50

Start beneath the Perth Digital Tower at Yagan Square and walk through Perth’s arcades, laneways, heritage buildings, gardens, public art, and riverfront. A local English-speaking guide, often Alex or Adie, adds quirky stories, restaurant tips, and practical city advice. The leisurely, mostly flat route ends at Barrack Square.

“Wonderful tour! Alex was a welcoming and enthusiastic guide. She shared lots of historical tidbits and personal local knowledge. Her love for life and the city of Perth was infectious. Extra kudos for her help brainstorming how to cram the most of what Perth and surrounds have to offer into a few precious days.”

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