Please meet your Art Deco Architecture Tour guide at the Manchester Unity building, corner of Collins St and Swanston St in front of the entrance to the foyer on the Swanston St side.
Description
Discover Melbourne’s fascinating Art Deco architecture on this small-group, 2-hour walking tour. Learn about the history and culture of Melbourne while admiring fine examples of the city’s most famous Art Deco buildings, including the Manchester Unity Building and Majorca Building. Learn fascinating details about the tiles, patterns, and designs that were popular in the 1930s, and discover how the 1934 Centenary of Melbourne, as well as Mayan, Spanish, and Egyptian art, influenced the city’s architecture.
Schedule & prices
Runs
Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat, and Sun
Start times
10:00 AM
Next available
Fri, Oct 16
Adult (ages 13+)
$64
Prices change with the date; the lowest is shown.
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 13.
Tour Options
Melbourne Art Deco Architecture Tour
Itinerary
MELTours
Pass by
Meet your guide at the Manchester Unity Building at 10am. In 1934, Melbourne celebrated its centenary and this event provided a catalyst for a building boom that transformed the city. As a result, Melbourne has some of the finest Art Deco buildings in the world, with many of the best examples located in the city centre.
Follow your Art Deco guide to see and hear about various types of architecture in the city, including the Manchester Unity Building and the Majorca Building. Learn how to recognize the Art Deco style, including the use of terracotta ‘self-cleaning’ tiles, the distinctive patterning, and other design details of the genre. Discover how Spanish, Egyptian, Mayan and other cultures influenced the style and how this was an indicator as to what people were interested in during this time.
Finish your tour at 12 noon in the city.
What's included
Included
Local guide
Not included
Hotel pickup
Food and drinks
Traveller Ratings
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
4.9
23 reviews
5
21
4
2
3
0
2
0
1
0
How it compares in Melbourne
Starting price $64 is close to the typical $64 for tours of similar length in Melbourne
Excurgo comparison of 839 Viator tours, recalculated daily.
Important Information
Public transportation options are available nearby
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Minimum age is 13 years
Minimum numbers apply. There is a possibility of cancellation after confirmation if there are not enough passengers to meet requirements. In the event of this occurring, you will be offered an alternative or full refund.
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
1+ days before100% refund
0–1 days before0% refund
Frequently asked questions
How long does Melbourne Art Deco Architecture Tour take?
Melbourne Art Deco Architecture Tour lasts about 2 hours. The itinerary has 1 stop.
How much does Melbourne Art Deco Architecture Tour cost?
Prices start at $64 per person for this Melbourne experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
What days does Melbourne Art Deco Architecture Tour run?
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, starting at 10:00 AM.
Can I cancel Melbourne Art Deco Architecture Tour for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Where does the tour start?
The meeting point is Please meet your Art Deco Architecture Tour guide at the Manchester Unity building, corner of Collins St and Swanston St in front of the entrance to the foyer on the Swanston St side. Hotel pickup is not part of this experience.
What languages is Melbourne Art Deco Architecture Tour offered in?
The experience is available in EN.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 10 participants.
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Is Melbourne Art Deco Architecture Tour worth it?
Travellers rate it 4.9 out of 5 across 23 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor; it is run by MELTours.
Reviews(23)
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
M
Mark_I
September 29, 2026 · via Viator
Art Deco Gems of Melbourne Revealed!
Our tour guide, John, had an impressive knowledge of the Art Deco architecture in Melbourne and we were treated to a really enlightening 2 hours of strolling around the inner city blocks, gazing up at little-known facades which revealed their sometimes-faded but always intriguing design and history. This was a lovely way to spend some time marveling at some of Melbourne's architectural gems.
Operator response
Hi Mark,
Thank you so much for taking the time to submit this great review!
John is a very knowledgeable guide and will be delighted to hear that you really enjoyed the tour.
Best wishes,
The Team at MELTours
F
fionawP4362RS
May 9, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Wonderful day exploring Melbourne's art deco
Enjoyed a wonderful day exploring Melbourne's art deco buildings and laneways. Thanks to Sam our guide he was so interesting and informative on the art deco world. Highly recommend.
Operator response
Hi Fiona,
We are so pleased that you enjoyed your Art Deco tour with San - he will be delighted to receive your feedback.
Many thanks for taking the time to submit this great review - we really appreciate it.
Best wishes,
The Team at MELTours
A
arS5501BG
May 6, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Excellent Art Deco Architecture Tour
This walking tour is a wonderful way for lovers of history and architecture to gain a richer appreciation of the main Art Deco buildings in Melbourne's CBD. Our tour guide San, shared many fascinating insights and stories behind the buildings, the architects who designed them, as well as the era in which Art Deco flourished. An excellent and educational experience, highly recommend!
Operator response
Hi AR,
Thank you so much for this fantastic review. and recommendation.
We are thrilled that you enjoyed the tour learning about Melbourne's great Art Deco buildings with our knowledgeable guide San.
Best wishes,
The Team at MELTours
A
Alan_P
March 13, 2026 · via Viator
Nice walk
Personable guide. Learned background of Art Deco and Melbourne. Not too much walking required. Saw other points of interest as well
Operator response
Hi Alan,
We are so pleased that you enjoyed your tour with John.
Many thanks for taking the time to write this review - we really appreciate it.
Best wishes,
The Team at MELTours
N
nancysV9807MV
January 3, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
good
Knowledgeable and personable
Was very helpful with questions.
Recommend highly. He also recommended restaurants and took photographs.
Operator response
Hi Nancy,
Thank you for taking the time to write this review and for your recommendation.
We are really pleased you enjoyed your tour with San discovering Melbourne's wonderful Art Deco buildings as well as the fantastic places to eat in this city.
Best wishes,
The Team at MELTours
S
sanderadio
September 24, 2025 · via Tripadvisor
Very interesting tour of Melbourne and its Art Deco history
We really enjoyed the Melbourne Art Deco Architecture Tour with MELtours. Our guide, San, was very knowledgeable and shared so much about the city’s history and its Art Deco buildings. What made the experience extra special was being able to step inside some of the buildings to see the original decorations and furnishings up close—a real bonus. The tour gave us a deeper appreciation of Melbourne’s architecture and heritage and a two hour tour is just right for a Saturday morning stroll. Highly recommended!
Operator response
Hi Sander,
Many thanks for this great review and recommendation!
Melbourne has some wonderful examples of Art Deco architecture and San loves showcasing these special buildings. He will be thrilled that you really enjoyed the tour.
Best wishes,
The Team at MELTours
C
ChrisJAustralia
April 26, 2025 · via Tripadvisor
Insight and experience!
Sam is very knowledgeable about Art Deco architecture and well prepared, plus his lived history with the city added a charming angle (we are Melbourne locals too). We both learned a lot as he knows where to look to find the real gems of architecture that people simply walk past every day. Excellent for visitors and locals alike.
Operator response
Hi Chris,
We are really pleased you enjoyed your tour with San discovering architectural gems in your own city.
Many thanks for taking the time to write this great review - we really appreciate it.
Best wishes,
The Team at MELTours
P
PipB215
November 25, 2024 · via Tripadvisor
A great walk
John was very knowledgeable and entertaining when showing us the unique Art Deco buildings of Melbourne. It was 37 degrees for our tour but definitely worth it!
Operator response
Hi PipB215,
We are so pleased you enjoyed your Art Deco Architecture Tour with John despite the weather!
Thank you for taking the time to write this great review.
Best wishes,
The Team at MELTours
D
DarrenS2848
September 10, 2024 · via Tripadvisor
A definite must-do!
Excellent, insightful and educational. This tour exposes one to significant architectural parts of the cityscape often overlooked, and encourages an appreciation of the amazing buildings, their history and particular design intricacies scattered around the city, often hidden in plain sight. Fantastic!
Operator response
Hi Darren,
Thank you for this fantastic review! We are very pleased your time with John, uncovering the Art Deco treasures of Melbourne.
Best wishes from the team at MELTours
S
S7214QNmarias
June 9, 2024 · via Tripadvisor
Art Deco Melbourne - just look up!
I have lived in Melbourne all my life but I had no idea the extent of Melbourne's Art Deco history. Sam was a walking encyclopaedia who was able to answer any question thrown at him. We were given enough time to appreciate the buildings inside and out. We cannot wait to book in our next Meltour.
Operator response
Hi Maria S,
Thank you so much for this great review.
We are so pleased you enjoyed discovering Melbourne's wonderful Art Deco architecture with San who loves sharing his vast knowledge of Melbourne's architecture.
Best wishes,
The Team at MELTours
