New Free Seniors Tours: Explore Melbourne (and Beyond) by Train
Seniors myki holders can now travel free on public transport anywhere in Victoria — every weekend, all year round.
It’s something we’ve been encouraging more people to take advantage of — not just for getting into Melbourne, but for exploring regional areas as well. We’re excited to launch our new Seniors Explore Club, created in partnership with Transport Victoria.
These small-group tours bring together local knowledge, gentle walking, and simple train travel to help us experience Melbourne — and beyond — in a way that feels relaxed, social, and genuinely interesting. Check out our Metro CBD and Regional Bendigo tours below and be sure to secure your place.
Melbourne CBD Tours: a behind-the-scenes look at Melbourne’s biggest transformation
First up, a brand-new walking tour through the heart of Melbourne — and it’s something a little bit special.
This one-hour guided experience takes you through the city’s biggest rail transformation in decades, the Metro Tunnel project, with the opportunity to step inside two of the new underground stations.
Led by local expert guide Paul Daffey, the tour starts under the clocks at Flinders Street Station and winds its way through familiar landmarks and hidden spaces — including Campbell Arcade — before finishing at the new State Library precinct.
Along the way, you’ll hear the history and stories behind how Melbourne is evolving to keep up with a growing population, all in a relaxed, easy-to-follow format.
What you need to know
- When: Sundays — 17, 24 & 31 May
- Times: 10:00 am, 12:00 pm and 2:30 pm
- Duration: Approximately 1 hour
- Cost: Free
- Group size: Maximum 15 people
It’s a gentle walk, with lifts and public transport built into the route — designed to be manageable and enjoyable rather than rushed.
Regional Bendigo Tours: next stop, Bendigo
And that’s exactly where we’re heading next.
We’ve also launched a Bendigo Heritage & Growth tour — a two-hour guided experience exploring one of Victoria’s most fascinating regional cities.
Starting right outside Bendigo Station (ideal for those arriving by V/Line), this tour takes in grand architecture, local stories, and some of the city’s hidden gems — with a relaxed coffee and cake stop built in along the way.
What you need to know
- When: Sunday 6 June
- Times: 11:00 am and 2:00 pm
- Meeting Point: Front of Bendigo Train Station (Perfect for those arriving by V/Line!)
- Duration: 2 hours (includes refreshments)
- Cost: Free
- Group size: Maximum 15 people
Tours with Paul
We joined Paul’s tour recently and came away with a whole new appreciation for parts of the city we thought we already knew.
Here’s what one of our readers had to say:
I really enjoyed the tour with Paul on Friday, 17 April.
Paul was a great tour guide. I loved the mix of history of our city as well as his own personal experiences.
Paul shared some great places hidden in the lanes that I plan to visit.
The tour was done at a nice, leisurely pace.
I would certainly recommend his tours to anyone who wants to learn more about our city’s history and to discover some of the special places.
Brenda, one of the other tour participants, & I have already booked another tour.
— Lila
Find more tours with Paul here.
Ready to join us?
Spots are limited to just 15 people per tour, so if this sounds like your kind of outing, I’d recommend booking sooner rather than later.
Reminder: Seniors myki perks
If you hold a Seniors Card and have a Seniors myki, there’s a benefit many people still don’t realise:
You can travel free on public transport anywhere in Victoria — every weekend, all year round.
That means your train, tram or bus trip into the city for these tours won’t cost you a cent. Read more here.
These tours are a proud partnership between 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.
Heading off on your own Melbourne adventures? Join our Facebook Group and share your stories, ask questions and connect with others for further inspiration.
