15 History Tours in Australia Worth Booking

Ultimate Melbourne Walking Tour: History, Laneways & Culture - Federation Square, Flinders Street Station, and the MCG

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

Walk Melbourne with a local English-speaking guide such as Emily, Ian, Hugo, Bo, or Mike. See Federation Square, Flinders Street Station, arcades, street art, Chinatown, and the Yarra, with a café coffee and a drink at Captain Melville included.

“Great overview of the city and history! It said it was three hours, but it went so fast.. loved all the stops. Our guide Emily was great.”

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Historical Tours, Tour Reviews, Train Experiences

Puffing Billy Railway: Heritage Steam Train Journey

2.Puffing Billy Railway: Heritage Steam Train Journey

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

Ride Puffing Billy, a 1900 heritage steam train, through the Dandenong Ranges from Belgrave or Lakeside. Meet the railway’s friendly volunteer team, enjoy the famous legs-out seating between Belgrave and Lakeside, and allow 2 to 4 hours for the journey and time at Emerald Lake Park.

“I loved the views and the whole trip! I really recommend this journey, I'd do that again”

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Cruises & Boat Tours, Historical Tours, Morning, Tour Reviews

Morning World Heritage Cruise on the Gordon River from Strahan

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

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

Set out from Strahan at 9am aboard a comfortable catamaran for Hell’s Gates, Sarah Island and the Gordon River. Local guides explain convict life, forests and conservation, while the crew serves lunch on board. Upper-deck seating includes morning tea and lunch.

“This is full of value, the crew are very professional, the boat is so comfortable, food is amazing, there is a great selection of drinks and you will receive so much information on this cruise, I would recommend this day cruise as it’s such great value.”

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Cruises & Boat Tours, Historical Tours, Lunch Experiences, Tour Reviews

Strahan: World Heritage Cruise on Gordon River with Lunch

4.Strahan: World Heritage Cruise on Gordon River with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 1,143 reviews · 6 hours · from $109

Spend six hours cruising from Strahan through Macquarie Harbor and the Gordon River. You’ll tour Sarah Island with guides such as Lyle or Maggie, walk the Heritage Landing rainforest boardwalk, enjoy Tasmanian produce for lunch, and visit Morrisons Huon Pine Sawmill.

“Well organised, lots of space, lunch very good Good value, boat was excellent with great views of the coastline Would definitely recommend this”

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Historical Tours, Sydney Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Walking Tours

Sydney: The Rocks 90-Minute History Walking Tour

5.The Rocks 90-Minute History Walking Tour

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

Spend 90 minutes exploring The Rocks with an English-speaking guide such as Judith, Anne, Vickie, Paul, or John. Expect cobbled lanes, old pubs, courtyards, harbour views, and human stories from Sydney’s early settlement. The route is mostly easy, amplified for clear hearing, and friendly to manual wheelchairs and prams.

“I highly recommend this tour. A great way to quickly learn about the history of the Rock and Australias beginning. Our guide Claudia made the experience positive, fun and motivating.”

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Hervey Bay Tours, Historical Tours, Tour Reviews

Experience History onboard The Mary Valley Rattler

6.Experience History onboard The Mary Valley Rattler

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

Meet at Gympie’s restored historic station for a three-hour Mary Valley Rattler journey to Amamoor and back. Explore the Rusty Rails Cafe and Heritage Museum, hear commentary from the volunteer crew, watch the locomotive turn on its turntable, and buy snacks or wine and cheese before departure.

“History side of it and travelling on steam train again reminds me of my childhood in adelaide This is all I have to say will come back again with my s”

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Cairns Tours, Historical Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Snorkel & Dive the Reef: Sustainable, Scientific & Cultural Tour

7.Snorkel & Dive the Reef: Sustainable, Scientific & Cultural Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 841 reviews · from $232

Spend about eight hours with Reef Magic on an outer Great Barrier Reef platform. Snorkel in a sheltered lagoon, join marine biologist presentations, or stay dry with glass-bottom and semi-submersible tours. Staff such as Ella, Ethan, Kaitlin, and Takuya have been praised for patient guidance and reef knowledge.

“It was a good experience They took participant safety very seriously Well organized - friendly and helpful They went out of the way to make sure everyone got something out of the trip. The views from the chopper were amazing Highly recommend the team”

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Cruises & Boat Tours, Harbour Cruises, Historical Tours, Hobart Tours, Tour Reviews

Derwent River Historic Harbour Cruise From Hobart

8.Derwent River Historic Harbour Cruise From Hobart

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

From Murray Street Pier, cruise north beneath the Tasman Bridge or south past Battery Point and Sandy Bay. Expect live commentary, a relaxed vintage-boat ride, and optional lunch or dinner cruises. The one-hour harbor trip is the simplest choice, while dinner requires at least eight passengers.

“Great little morning one hour cruise. Not too busy. Plenty of space. Very comfortable and the weather was perfect. Very affordable.”

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Historical Tours, Hobart Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Port Arthur Historic Site Admission and Tour Options

9.Port Arthur Historic Site Admission and Tour Options

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

Spend a full day at Port Arthur Historic Site, about 1.5 hours from nipaluna / Hobart. Use your phone for personal stories, join free talks, cruise past the Isle of the Dead, and add guided walks led by experts such as Nim.

“The site is huge. We booked a site visit and 11am cruise. Arriving at 10.30, we grabbed a coffee and headed down to the jetty. The cruise was informative and interesting. Back on land we started at the Dockyard and worked back onto the site. So much to see, with options for lunch, we took our own, leaving approximately 4pm. It was a full day of wandering considering we had a 1.5 hr return drive to our accommodation. Excellent day out.”

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Historical Tours, Perth Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

From Perth: Wave Rock, York and Aboriginal Cultural Tour

10.Wave Rock, York and Aboriginal Cultural Tour

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

Travel from Perth through York and the Wheatbelt to Wave Rock, Hippo’s Yawn and Mulka’s Cave. Your English-speaking guide, such as Anton, Luke or James, shares local history and Aboriginal stories. Lunch, attraction entries, hotel pickup and a comfortable coach are included.

“It was an excellent day! It was well paced with a great variety of experiences. The driver was very knowledgeable about the areas we visited and the history. Lunch was good and the people there were very friendly. The only suggestion for improvement I have is that it was advertised as a cultural tour so I was expecting more information about the Aboriginal country we passed through, the history and the cultural significance. We enjoyed the whole day and would highly recommend it to others.”

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Historical Tours, Hobart Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

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

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

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

Leave Hobart at 7:30am for a guided bus trip, a three-hour Pennicott wilderness cruise past sea caves, cliffs, seals, dolphins, and seabirds, then three hours at Port Arthur Historic Site. Jackets, morning coffee or tea, and lunch are included. Guides may include Paul, Phil, Murray, Alan, or Daniel.

“We saw whales, dolphins, seals, bird life and picturesque scenery all done safely and professionally. And then toured leisurely around the convict settlement”

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Historical Tours, Perth Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Walking Tours

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

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

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

Walk 3 kilometers through Perth’s streets, laneways, historic areas, and new developments with guides such as Alex, Adie, Phoebe, Lucy, and Chloe. Expect stories, public art, old photographs, city tips, and a leisurely pace, with time for coffee and questions.

“Informative about Perths history and culture. Lots of great details about the sights on the tour. Aided by diagrams and older photos.”

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Cruises & Boat Tours, Historical Tours, Hobart Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Tasman Peninsula Tour, Cruise & Port Arthur Historic Site

13.Tasman Peninsula Tour, Cruise & Port Arthur Historic Site

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 339 reviews · 10h 30m · from $233

Spend 10.5 hours exploring Tasmania’s coast by coach and custom-built boat, then visit Port Arthur Historic Site. Expect a lively English-speaking guide, morning tea, lunch, seals, seabirds, dolphins, and possible whale sightings. Dress warmly: the open cruise boat can be cold and choppy.

“This was an excellent and very enjoyable tour! Everyone, from the lady's in the office, to Phil our Driver, were amazing. If you want an exciting way to see Tasmanias beautiful aqua life, then the cruise is the best way to do it and to get dropped off at the foot of Port Arthur was a even better. And what a way to end a day with a tour of the historical site, which is beautiful in its own right. Would highly highly recommend!”

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Cruises & Boat Tours, Historical Tours, Hobart Tours, Lunch Experiences, Tour Reviews

Hobart: Historic Lunch Cruise

14.Historic Lunch Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 271 reviews · 1h 30m · from $46

From Murray Street Pier, cruise past Battery Point, Sandy Bay, Wrest Point, Bellerive, Kangaroo Bluff, and under the Tasman Bridge. Your captain provides live English commentary while you enjoy a one-course lunch. Allow 90 minutes, arrive early to exchange your voucher and order your meal.

“The historical tour was well worth doing. The meal was good too. Would highly recommend the tour.”

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Darwin Tours, Historical Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Bombing of Darwin WWII Heritage Tours

15.Bombing of Darwin WWII Heritage Tours

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 261 reviews · from $42

Start at 8:30 am for a roughly four-hour tour with Garry, a Darwin guide whose family connections add a personal angle to the 1942 bombing. Visit the Darwin Aviation Museum, see war-linked sites and city views, and hear stories often missed in standard accounts. Pickup is offered and groups are capped at 11.

“Greg's knowledge of people's personal experience during and after the bombing was exceptional. It put a different light on the bombing rather than just facts and figures. This tour should be mandatory for all school kids in Australia, history that is only brushed over in our education. Great tour.”

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