Fitzroy: Character & Culture
Melbourne, Australia
Culture shock rating
Worried we’re going to shock your senses? Relax! We believe part of the fun of travel is immersing yourself in the destination and its culture, meeting the people, and learning what makes the place tick. We’ve got a wide range of tours with something for everybody. The cultural shock rating ranks how different the experience is from most Western cultures. But no matter the level, don’t worry, you’ll have a local, in-the-know guide with you every step of the way.
Low
Consider these tours your 101 intro to a place. Transportation might be private or a very comfortable public option, and the activities are usually visits to iconic sites and locations that are familiar to most Western cultures – but that will still give you fantastic insight into a destination.
Medium
Expect to rough it for parts of this tour, whether that’s on a packed public bus or in a local market off the tourist trail. There might be a few language barriers or unfamiliar cultural customs, and you’ll get an experience different from what you're used to at home.
High
You're out there in the global community! We’re going to take you down streets you’d rarely explore on your own, introduce you to local customs and languages, and take you for a ride in whatever transport is available. Get ready to take it as it comes, whatever comes. There might be a shock, but oh man, it’s worth it.
Physical rating
Worried our tours are too tough? Relax! From leisurely strolls to muscle-burning treks, we’ve got a wide range of tours with something for everybody. The physical grading gives you an idea of how much huffing and puffing you can expect on the tour.
Low
Slow and steady is all you need here. These tours have very limited physical activity, such as walking relatively flat streets, sites, or markets, and climbing in and out of the transport provided.
Medium
Not too hard, not too soft, these tours are just right! You can expect a bit of physical activity, but nothing overly challenging – perhaps walking up and down hills, riding a bike for up to 30 kilometers along mostly flat terrain, or jumping in a kayak for a gentle paddle on flat water.
High
Get ready for a workout! These tours are our most challenging and involve intense walking, hiking, kayaking, swimming, or bike riding. You could be making steep climbs by foot or pedal, or working your core in the water. We recommend you have a good level of fitness to join this tour.
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Tour snapshot
On the fringes of Melbourne, we’ll introduce you to Fitzroy – a feisty neighbourhood that proudly celebrates the city’s rebellious past. Tales of Melbourne’s most infamous gangsters and cultural radicals echo through its backstreets and alleys. And yet, Fitzroy has a quirky charm that draws you into its cafes, art galleries, and local watering holes.
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Highlights
- Get the lowdown on the dubious characters that shaped Melbourne’s oldest and most infamous suburb
- Sample local beers and learn how they’re made in the city’s coolest dining hall
- Check out some of Melbourne’s most impressive graffiti and street art galleries
- Meet the unusual individuals behind Fitzroy’s quirkiest independent shops
- Taste the local fare of a little-known gourmet food truck over a cocktail at a classic Fitzroy watering hole
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Schedule details
- Duration: 3 hours
- Meeting point:
St. Vincents Plaza Tram Stop, Victoria Street, Fitzroy
- Starting time: 3.00 PM
- Ending point:
Smith Street, Fitzroy
Language: English
Inclusions: Beer, wine, or soft drinks and some snacks along the way, entrance to galleries where applicable.
Exclusions: Any additional food or drinks, souvenirs or bits and pieces you might like to purchase along the way, tips and gratuities for your guide.
Fitzroy is a place of legends, but not the kind you may think. Only in Australia could a city’s criminal history be something to celebrate and inspire awe. With its curious mix of fringe communities, Melbourne’s first suburb has undeniable character rich with hidden gems.
We begin our Melbourne walking tour admiring the incredible architectural contrasts of Fitzroy. These differences underline the periods of boom and bust that shaped the city. From grand administrative buildings to historic workers’ pubs, this unique blend of conflicting forces is fascinating to explore and discuss. The tales of Squizzy Taylor and other infamous Melbourne gangsters will draw in even the most reluctant history student.
A quick stop to have our thirst quenched with local beers at Melbourne’s coolest dining hall and we’ll be back to exploring the backstreets and alleys that give Fitzroy its unique character and charm. Pay attention to the walls of these passages as they display the work of Fitzroy’s prolific artist community. We will explore the best of both street art and local gallery art to see how they conflict and inform each other.
These days, Fitzroy is home to some pretty radical characters and this is where they set up shop. We'll continue our Melbourne neighbourhood tour with a visit a couple of these shops to get a rare insight into this reliably strange community. From there we’ll explore the latest chapter of Fitzroy’s rich history before grabbing a cocktail and gourmet food truck snack at a local watering hole. This Fitzroy classic is a great place to finish a tour, or start a night out, or both! Your local guide will have plenty of recommendations for where to eat and drink, and maybe even get into a little trouble in Fitzroy.
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Additional information
Inclusions: Beer, wine, or soft drinks and some snacks along the way, entrance to galleries where applicable.
Exclusions: Any additional food or drinks, souvenirs or bits and pieces you might like to purchase along the way, tips and gratuities for your guide.
Dress standard: Comfortable clothing appropriate for the weather conditions on the day. Please keep in mind that Melbourne’s weather can be unpredictable and the tour will run rain, hail, or shine so bring layers.
Your Trip: For your Urban Adventure you will be in a small group of a maximum of 12 people.
Confirmation of booking: If you have your voucher, your booking is confirmed. We'll see you at the start point. Get in touch if you have any concerns or require more information via the email address or phone number (business hours only) on your voucher.
Child Policy: Children must be 6 years of age to 11 years inclusively. Children below the age of 6 are not permitted on this tour.
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Local contact
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