This is the very first tour in Melbourne’s metro area to offer an immersive, nature-focused experience that combines hiking, culture, and history. This unique journey invites travellers to explore the city through the eyes of a local, discovering hidden cultural gems that are beloved by residents but often missed by tourists. Just 15 minutes away from the city centre, it’s a rare opportunity to walk along the Yarra River’s stunning parklands, uncover its rich history, and connect with Melbourne’s natural beauty in a way no other tour offers. From the largest flying fox colony to the historic Boathouse, the Heritage-listed Abbotsford Convent, and the culturally significant Dights Falls, this tour blends the city’s heritage with its vibrant community, offering a distinctive, off-the-beaten-path adventure that highlights what makes Melbourne truly special.
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 13.
The tour will start with an immersive scenic trail walk along the Yarra River, immersing ourselves in the natural beauty and peacefulness of Yarra Bend Park. As we follow the meandering trail, you’ll be treated to unique vantage points offering stunning views of Melbourne’s city skyline framed by native bushland.
Our journey continues to Dights Falls, a culturally significant site for the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation, where we take a moment to appreciate its deep First Nations heritage, and the evolution of the land throughout the years to our modern society.
We’ll pass through one of Australia’s largest urban colonies of flying foxes in their natural habitat. You will encounter up to 50,000 bats alongside the riverbank.
From there, we make our way toward the Abbotsford Convent, winding past tranquil bushland and peaceful riverside scenery. At the Convent, you’ll have time to have a break with a cake and drink before exploring this breathtaking World Heritage-listed precinct. Learn about its transformation from a 19th-century religious institution to a vibrant community hub of artists, cafes, and galleries.
Pickup time/location: 7.30am in front of The Hotel Windsor. Arrive at the pickup 10min prior pickup.
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
Excurgo comparison of 839 Viator tours, recalculated daily.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Melbourne Tour: Walk the Yarra & Heritage Convent Experience lasts about 3–4 hours. The itinerary has 4 stops.
Prices start at $128 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.
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, starting at 8:00 AM.
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Yes, pickup is offered. Pickup time/location: 7.30am in front of The Hotel Windsor. Arrive at the pickup 10min prior pickup. Pickup points include The Windsor.
The experience is available in EN, FR.
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 11 participants.
Not recommended for travelers with limited mobility
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Travellers rate it 5.0 out of 5 across 10 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor; it is run by Yarra Bend Tours.
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
I really enjoyed my tour on the weekend with Yarra Bend Tours!! Even though I've lived here my whole life, I had no idea about the history of the Abbotsford Convent - it was so fascinating to learn and the colour of the foliage was just stunning. I loved getting out to nature and the walk was fun but not too challenging for my mum, just bring some nice walking shoes. Thank you so much Chloe for a great day!
We had such a great time on our Yarra Bend Tour — this experience was such a refreshing way to see a different side of Melbourne. Our guide, Chloe, was honestly the highlight. She was warm, relaxed, and incredibly knowledgeable. You could tell she genuinely cared about the area and the stories she was sharing — from the Aboriginal history of the land to the details about the local wildlife and the old convent. It didn’t feel scripted at all, just really engaging and thoughtful. The walk itself was peaceful and easygoing, with plenty of time to stop, chat, and take in the scenery. Spotting the flying foxes was an unexpected bonus — so cool to see them up close! And finishing at the convent for coffee and cake was a lovely touch (the bakery there is amazing, by the way). Highly recommend this tour if you’re looking for something a bit different and more meaningful than your typical city sightseeing. Chloe made the whole thing feel really personal and memorable. Five stars from us! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The tour was amazing and our guide was so friendly and knowledgeable! I would recommend if you’re around the area or going for a day trip. I’ve been looking for a little getaway from the city for a while and this was exactly what I needed
Chloe took things at an easy pace and was also very knowledgeable about the area and made sure to point out some historic landmarks which I thought was really fascinating. Loved it. 10/10 would do again.
Me and my partner had a great time with this tour while visiting Melbourne. A unique way to see what this city has to offer right at its heart. Chloe our guide was very knowledgeable about the local history, flora and fauna and made this tour fun. We got to meet others and never felt excluded. Super friendly crew. The tour finished at the Abbotsford convent with an exclusive tour of this historic place. Totally recommend if you want to see authentic Melbourne other than discovering the well known spots in the city. Highly recommend Thank you Chloe and Yarra bend tours!
Magnificent hikes, organized by a person who loves nature and wide open spaces, she helped us discover and share her passion. Absolutely recommended
The guided tour organised by Yarra Bend Tours was incredible. Chloé, our guide, is really committed and keen to share her passion with us. I'd recommend it to anyone who wants to visit Melbourne's Yarra Bend Park. It was a unique experience and well worth the diversions.
Yarra Bend Tours is a walking adventure . It is definitely a must do, to see and learn about the History of the Yarra River. Chloe’s enthusiasm is infectious. The city backdrop is stunning, yet you will easily think you have gone bush. Highly recommend this to anyone who wants to see another side to Melbourne.
Go ahead! It's a great experience, full of surprises. Thanks to Chloe our expert guide for her dynamism and warmth. I recommend!
I had such a great time with Yarra Bend Tours! I was visiting Melbourne and wanted to experience a nature tour without going too far. This walking tour was the perfect choice, it felt like a hidden gem right in the city’s backyard. Our guide was super knowledgeable and passionate about the local history, wildlife, and she touched on a few insights about Indigenous history of the area. We even spotted flying foxes (even if its the low season) and some beautiful birds along the way. The trail was easy to follow, and the pace was just right, and engaging. We ended up at the beautiful Abbotsford Convent, what a gem! We had some cake from the old convent and went on a guided tour afterward. Highly recommend it for anyone looking to escape the city for a couple of hours and discover a more peaceful, authentic side of Melbourne.
| Tour | Duration | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Melbourne Tour: Walk the Yarra & Heritage Convent Experience | 3–4 hours | 5.0 (10) | $128 | |
 Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne: Aboriginal Heritage Walk | 1h 30min | 4.8 (422) | $39 | View |
 History & Culture: Women's History Tour of the Abbotsford Convent | 2 hours | 5.0 (3) | $43 | View |
 Melbourne Tours Walk the Yarra & Historic Boathouse Lunch | 3–4 hours | 5.0 (3) | $121 | View |
 Yarra River Nature Trail Walk | 4 hours | — | $1,986 | View |
 Yarra Valley Wine Tour w Exclusive Gin, Cider & Chocolate Tasting | 8 hours | 5.0 (5,628) | $84 | View |
 Melbourne: Yarra Valley Wine, Gin, Whisky and Chocolate Tour | 8 hours | 5.0 (5,251) | $84 | View |