15 History Tours in Australia to Build a Day Around

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

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

Walk from Gordon Reserve through Melbourne’s arcades, laneways, Federation Square, Chinatown, and Old Melbourne Gaol with a local guide such as Emily, Ian, Hugo, or Bo. Expect sharp city stories, street art, a complimentary coffee, a map, and a final drink at Captain Melville.

“Excellent way to learn about the city and the history of very knowledgeable staff. Friendly. I recommend this tour.”

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2.Puffing Billy Railway: Heritage Steam Train Journey

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

Ride the preserved Puffing Billy steam railway from Belgrave or Lakeside through the Dandenong Ranges. You’ll travel in heritage carriages, meet the volunteer team, and may sit with your legs over the carriage sill between Belgrave and Lakeside. Allow 2 to 4 hours, with time for the Lakeside Visitor Centre and café.

“Absolutely fantastic trip. Beautiful scenery, great cafe at Lakeside and plenty of toilets. The staff on the platform were very patient with the tourists who barged under the barriers and got on the carriages first. Their crowd control was exceptional and everyone was kept safe.”

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

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

From Strahan, you’ll cruise Macquarie Harbour and Hells Gates, visit Sarah Island with a local guide, and glide up the Gordon River. Live commentary, lunch, morning tea for upper-deck seats, and a rainforest boardwalk are included. Guides such as Sarah, Kim, and Kaiah may add local character to the day.

“I highly recommend this day trip. The boat is owned and operated by a local family. A fabulous trip with very friendly and knowledgeable crew members. A fabulous lunch is served! I would recommend taking an umbrella or rain jacket just in case.”

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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, visiting Hells Gates, Sarah Island, Heritage Landing and a Huon pine sawmill. Your day includes a one-hour convict-settlement tour, a rainforest boardwalk, lunch made with Tasmanian produce, live commentary and free movement around the boat. Upper-deck seats include morning tea and a drink.

“It was an excellent day. From the Captain and other staff, the catamaran itself, the commentary, the stopovers to the delicious lunch … it was all fabulous … a day to remember. To top it off we had perfect weather!”

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5.The Rocks 90-Minute History Walking Tour

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

Walk The Rocks with an English-speaking guide such as Judith, Anne, Paul, Vickie, or John. In 90 minutes, you will see old lanes, courtyards, pubs, viewpoints, and early settlement sites while hearing personal stories from Sydney’s convict past. The route is gentle but includes stairs, slopes, and uneven paving.

“Very welcoming & friendly guide. Interesting tour with lots of information about the history of The Rocks area. Would definitely recommend Vivkie was brilliant.”

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6.Experience History onboard The Mary Valley Rattler

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

Meet at Gympie’s restored station for a roughly three-hour Mary Valley Rattler ride to Amamoor and back. Explore the Rusty Rails Cafe and Heritage Museum, hear local railway stories from the volunteer crew, and watch the steam locomotive turn on its turntable. Bring a card for food and drinks, or pack water for the train.

“Lots of volunteers and well organised. The trip to Amamoor was enjoyable but you soon learn why it is called the Rattler. Amazing how many of the locals wave from their balconies and back yards. Recommended.”

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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 platform by fast catamaran. Snorkel with supplied gear, join marine biologist talks, or stay dry with glass-bottom boats, a semi-submersible, and an underwater observatory. Optional scuba, helmet walks, and helicopter flights cost extra. Guides such as Ella, Ethan, Kaitlin, and Takuya may add expert help.

“Helicopter ride was good. Different way to see the reef. Our pilot kept us out a little longer because he spotted a shark. We were unable to do the glass bottom boat though because the timing didn’t work out so that was disappointing. The semi submersible sub was good and we could see a lot. It started to get really warm in there towards the end.”

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8.Derwent River Historic Harbour Cruise From Hobart

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

Set out from Murray Street Pier for a relaxed Derwent River cruise through Hobart. The north route passes the Botanical Gardens, Government House, Tasman Bridge, Rose Bay, and Montagu Bay. The south route reaches Battery Point, Sandy Bay, the casino, Bellerive Bluff, and Kangaroo Bay. Choose a simple one-hour ride, lunch, or dinner with commentary.

“Great thing to do in Hobart, very smooth running experience. We enjoyed the lunch and the commentary about the sites we were passing by.”

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9.Port Arthur Historic Site Admission and Tour Options

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 509 reviews · 1 day · from $37

Spend a full day exploring Port Arthur’s convict settlement at your own pace. Your ticket includes an audio experience, expert site talks, a 20-minute harbor cruise, and two days of daytime entry. Add the Essentials, Premium, Isle of the Dead, or Escapes tour for more guided stories.

“We drove so got there early before the coaches. A fascinating place with great historical significance. Restaurant is worth a visit as well! Unfortunately it rained really heavily so we had to curtail some of the trip.”

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10.Wave Rock, York and Aboriginal Cultural Tour

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

Travel from Perth to York and the Wheatbelt, stopping at Hippo’s Yawn, Wave Rock, Mulka’s Cave and rural attractions. Your English-speaking driver-guide provides commentary, while lunch, transport and attraction entry are included. Expect a long day, plenty of driving, simple walks and strong country scenery.

“It was amazing. Great guided tour with Jonathan. The only thing was the pick up that it was confusing as another bus pick us up but at the end that did not affect the trip.”

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

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

Leave Hobart early for a three-hour Pennicott Wilderness cruise past Tasman Peninsula cliffs, caves, seals, dolphins, and seabirds. Then spend three hours at Port Arthur Historic Site, with lunch included. Guides such as Paul, Murray, Phil, and Alan are praised for safe driving and local insight. Waterproof jackets are provided.

“Great day. Bus driver Murray was very friendly and informative of the area. Dress warmly/correctly for the boat ride/sea conditions. It was an adventure and the skipper and deck hand was very knowledgeable with a little human. Port Arthur was wonderful and an eye opener about our Australian History.”

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

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

Start at Perth Digital Tower and walk about 3 km through central streets, laneways, historic precincts, public art, and newer developments. Guides including Alex, Adie, Phoebe, Lucy, and Chloe add stories, diagrams, old photos, and useful tips on food, museums, nightlife, and public transport. The tour ends at Barrack Square.

“Chloe was awesome, and the tour was great, full of information and I learnt lots about the history of Perth as a first time visitor to Perth! The 3 hour tour went by so quickly! I would recommend this tour.”

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13.Port Arthur Historic Site [official]

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 288 reviews · from $38

Spend up to two days exploring Port Arthur’s convict settlement, with access to more than 30 buildings and ruins, a self-guided audio tour, site talks, museum displays, and a 20-minute harbor cruise aboard the MV Marana. You’ll see the Dockyards, Isle of the Dead, Point Puer, and the Convict Water Supply Trail.

“The history the guides all are very informative And helpful The ghost tour was also a great experience”

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14.Albany: Historic Whaling Station Entry Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 24 reviews · 1 day · from $25

Spend a full day at Albany’s Historic Whaling Station, exploring the restored factory, whale oil tanks, museum displays, Cheynes IV, marine skeletons, wildflower gardens, and Australian Wildlife Park. Guide Joy is praised for friendly, engaging commentary when guiding is included. The $25 ticket also covers picnic areas and free BBQs.

“i really enjoyed the morning stop for coffee and scone, which was incredibky delicious. The pace was perfect. Our guide, Joy, was friendly, oersibable and knowledable. She provided enthralling commentary. Tge time went so quickly@ i highly recommen checmi g out this tour!”

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15.A Barossa Valley pickup: Wine and Heritage Tour, Local Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 20 reviews · 6 hours · from $148

Join Charles of Valley Wine Tours for a relaxed six-hour Barossa day, with pickup from local towns, boutique winery tastings, village and viewpoint stops, and a charcuterie-style lunch. The leather-seated vehicle carries no more than five people, so Charles can shape the route around your wine tastes and interests.

“I was very anxious to be the only person on this tour but from the moment Charles reached out and said ‘you booked, so I will see you tomorrow’ to the moment of meeting him on precise time at my pick up collection the entire day with everything in between!!!! Charles is so knowledgeable, reads his customers and gages where to take them before venturing off. I am honestly so lucky to have had such a personal great experience!!! If you’re considering this tour, take my advice and just book it.. you won’t regret it! Thank you Charles! You’re a champion! Dani - from Townsville”

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