Best Australia History Tours — Our Top 15

1.Ultimate Melbourne Walking Tour: History, Laneways & Culture

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

Explore Melbourne’s laneways, arcades, history, coffee, and culture on a relaxed three-hour small-group walking tour.

“It was an amazing tour and the tour guide was great at teaching and very funny. It wasn’t any ordinary tour because of how many fun things we got to do along the way and how it wasn’t all about the history while still getting to learn so many awesome things. I would totally recommend this tour to anyone looking for a great time in Melbourne, Australia!”

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2.Puffing Billy Railway: Heritage Steam Train Journey

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

Ride Puffing Billy through the Dandenong Ranges, with steam, forest views, Emerald Lake Park, helpful volunteers, and practical tips.

“excellent well organised train ride, an amazing experience not to be missed, such witty, lovely staff members,”

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

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

Review of Strahan’s 6-hour Gordon River cruise, with Sarah Island, Hell’s Gates, rainforest walks, lunch, prices, tips, and honest drawbacks.

“The captain and tour guide speaker were knowledgeable, interesting and well spoken. Other staff were courteous and helpful. The boat was beautifully presented.”

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

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

Cruise Tasmania’s Gordon River from Strahan, with Sarah Island, rainforest, Huon pine, local lunch, and family-run Tasmanian hospitality.

“the whole day was magnificent. I wouldn't be able to pick one thing over the others. The scenery 10/10, staff 10/10, meal 10/10, Maggie (guide) 10/10 and even the weather 10/10. Amazing day. Thank you.”

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5.The Rocks 90-Minute History Walking Tour

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

Explore Sydney’s Rocks on a 90-minute walking tour with vivid stories, harbour views, historic lanes, and practical access details.

“Really interesting tour about how the port of Sydney was established”

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6.Experience History onboard The Mary Valley Rattler

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

Ride a volunteer-restored 1950s steam train from Gympie to Amamoor, with heritage stations, countryside views, friendly crews, and old-time charm.

“A great way to spend half a day! Feeling nostalgic with the sights and smell of the steam train, and hearing the whistle blow as we wind through the picturesque Mary Valley. The atmosphere was friendly and relaxed in the quaint town of ARead more”

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

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

Review of Reef Magic’s Cairns Great Barrier Reef tour, with snorkeling, glass-bottom boats, lunch, marine talks, costs, tips, and honest drawbacks.

“Such a great day! The waters getting to the reef was gnarly but still a great day! They gave out sea sickness pills early on, no one in my group got sick. We had a great day snorkeling in the boundary area, I liked having the roped off area, others didn’t, but it was plenty big, we saw lots of fish, and gorgeous coral. Spring suits offered, snorkeling gear was great. I’ve already recommended this excursion to other travelers before getting home.”

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8.Derwent River Historic Harbour Cruise From Hobart

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

Review of Hobart’s Derwent River Historic Harbour Cruise, with route details, meal options, pricing, practical tips, and honest drawbacks.

“The commentary was hard to hear what with the noise of the engines and lots of chatter from other guests. Didn’t hear a word !! And that was one reason I went to hear about the history. Suggest pre recorded commentary and give each person earphones to listen.”

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9.Port Arthur Historic Site Admission and Tour Options

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

Review of Port Arthur Historic Site admission, audio tour, harbor cruise, guided options, practical tips, and value from Hobart.

“Our guide Nim was very informative and had a fantastic attitude. She made it super interesting. It was interesting to learn about the lives of the convicts and what seem like very minor crimes today were very harsh sentences at that time.”

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10.From Perth: Wave Rock, York and Aboriginal Cultural Tour

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

Wave Rock, York, Mulka’s Cave and Wheatbelt country life on a long but rewarding day tour from Perth, with lunch and entry fees included.

“Gordon the guide, driver and overall nice guy was very helpful and informative he made the trip very enjoyable and his knowledge of what we were going to do was great I would recommend this tour for anyone”

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

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

Review of the Tasman Island cruise and Port Arthur day tour from Hobart, with wildlife, sea cliffs, lunch, practical tips, and value advice.

“The Tasman island cruise is worth it for sure! It gets cold on the way back, dress warm. If you're prone to seasickness, skip, but it depends on the sea conditions. We saw whales, seals, birds, and bottlenose dolphins but the highlight is just the dolomite rocks. Unbelievable”

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

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

Review of Perth’s 3-hour walking tour, covering history, art, local tips, accessibility, guides, price, itinerary, and practical advice.

“Great tour really informative and fun. Good to do at the beginning of a visit to Perth to get local info and tips”

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

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

Review of Tasmania’s Tasman Peninsula tour, wilderness cruise and Port Arthur visit, with wildlife, meals, practical tips and honest value advice.

“The overall trip and cruise was excellent the tour guides were great The only thing that could be added was a tour guide Port Arthur The lunch was great Good value”

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14.Ultimate Melbourne Walking Tour: History, Laneways & Culture

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 338 reviews · 3 hours · from $91

Explore Melbourne’s history, laneways, coffee and pub culture on a lively three-hour small-group walking tour with local guides.

“Excellent walking tour around Melbourne. Emily was a great tour guide & was a joy to follow around for 3 hours. The route follows all the big hits, as well as other recommendations & facts which helped add gravitas to Melbourne. Highly enjoyed!”

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15.Historic Lunch Cruise

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

Cruise Hobart’s Derwent River with lunch, live commentary, and views of the Tasman Bridge, Battery Point, and Salamanca Place.

“Great meal, good crew a captain who knew his stuff.”

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