Under the Clocks – Walking Tour of Melbourne
Hands up, anyone who has met a friend under the clocks at Flinders Street Station?
In this age of mobile phones, we usually just text our location. But for anyone over 50, meeting “under the clocks” was part of life in Melbourne. It was the city’s traditional gathering point, where friends and strangers converged from all corners of town.
And so it is that we’ll be meeting under the clocks every Friday morning for this city walking tour.
Walking Tour of Melbourne Details
On this Melbourne 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.
Under the Clocks: 3 Hour Walking Tour
When: Fridays, 10.00 am – 1.00 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.
Block of Gold: 90-Minute Walking Tour
When: Select Thursdays, 2.00 pm – 3.30 pm
Where: Meet at 1.45 pm on the steps of Flinders Street Station (under the clocks)
Tickets: $40. Maximum of 10
Kathy’s review
Growing up in Melbourne, one thinks one has a certain level of knowledge of various aspects of our fine city. There is a plethora of cliched descriptions: vibrant, multi-cultural, diverse, the Arts and music heart of Australia. A walking tour of a small geographical section of the CBD with guide Paul Daffey, referred to all of those aspects but offered so much more.
Starting beneath the iconic clocks at Flinders Street station we explored some of the now famous laneways and streets, learning of the fascinating changes to society, our politics and especially our architecture. One recent and welcome improvement is the newly renovated art deco style Campbell Arcade, a subway running from beneath the stations to Degraves Street which will offer an opportunity for artists to enhance that long-neglected space. Similar to the selection system that currently exists for would-be buskers, perhaps this could be a gallery that highlights new artistic talent.
Paul often ignited our feelings of nostalgia, for example, eliciting memories of the now defunct rag trade in Flinders Lane, Coles’ arcade, the effects of the changes to the trading hours, the Beatles’ on the Town Hall balcony and the boldness of the ACDC, police endorsed, musical trip through the city’s streets.
A mid-morning coffee break was almost obligatory at one of the multiplicity of cafes that have breathed life into the city. We saw little sign of post co-vid inactivity, enjoying some time-out at one of the several bustling Brunetti’s cafes.
Most enticing were the unknown secrets that Paul revealed! The colourful characters, the subterfuge, the previously inaccessible or even unknown places, of which there are many. Far from feeling satiated, I felt hungry for more! This walker is now inspired to sign up for his tour of the Queen Victoria Market in the New Year.
What “Under the Clocks” Means
The term “under the clocks” refers to the row of clocks above the entrance to the station. The clocks let commuters know when their next train was scheduled to leave.
For decades, a railway officer changed the time on the clocks 900 times a day. The exercise required him to use a long pole to change the clock hands.
In 1981, railway authorities announced that the clocks would come down as part of their plan to automate the scheduling system. The subsequent outrage was of such a scale that the decision was reversed the next day.
The system was later automated as intended, but the clocks themselves are likely to remain where they are because they’re so important to Melbourne’s sense of itself.
A Hub for Melbourne’s History
The clocks overlook what was Melbourne’s main gathering place for public events.
On 29 April 1918, thousands gathered in city streets to welcome home soldiers who had been wounded during World War 1. A military band and a choir were stationed under the clocks to welcome home the parading soldiers as they passed by.
Two decades later, on 4 September 1939, many Melburnians gathered unbidden under the clocks to discuss the news that Britain had declared war on Germany. The impromptu crowd spread beyond the steps of the station towards the intersection. Before long, about 4000 were deep in discussion about the breakout of another world war.
Of course, the steps under the clocks have not always hosted momentous gatherings.
On one occasion, according to The Age, members of the Melbourne Harriers were to meet under the clocks at 2.15pm, after which they would catch the West Coburg tram for a tryout over the 10-mile course at the Moonee Valley racetrack.
For many years, punters who were about to head to the greyhounds meeting at Olympic Park could buy a copy of the Gold Guide from a stand under the clocks.
In 1988, one of Melbourne’s favourite bands, Weddings Parties Anything, released an album that included a song called Under the Clocks.
The term has been mentioned in novels and plays down through the years. It has a resonance beyond the traditional meeting places in all other Australian cities.
What You’ll See on the Tour
We’ll explore these stories and more during the Under the Clocks Melbourne walking tour.
The tour will take in Degraves Street, the Manchester Unity Building, the Block Arcade and the Royal Arcade, among other delights.
Travel will be achieved on foot and there is a mid tour break for coffee or tea at an iconic Melbourne cafe. There are opportunities to sit and rest, as well as toilet stops throughout the tour.
Tour Details
Under the Clocks: 3 Hour Walking Tour
When: Fridays, 10.00 am – 1.00 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.
Block of Gold: 90-Minute Walking Tour
When: Select Thursdays, 2.00 pm – 3.30 pm
Where: Meet at 1.45 pm on the steps of Flinders Street Station (under the clocks)
Tickets: $40. Maximum of 10
Booking enquiries: info@seniorsinmelbourne.com.au
Seniors in Melbourne partners with tour guide Paul Daffey to promote and manage bookings for these walking tours. A commission is received from ticket sales to support the running of the Seniors in Melbourne website. All opinions and recommendations are entirely our own.
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