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Melbourne Art Deco Architecture Tour: Explore Famous 1930s Buildings and Designs
4.9
14 Ratings
Melbourne
Discover Melbourne's famous Art Deco architecture on a 2-hour walking tour. Explore 1930s buildings and learn about the history and cultural influences behind their designs.
Duration:
2 hours
Cancellation:
1 day
learn more
Highlights
- MELTours - 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
-
- Local guide
What's Not Included
- Hotel pickup
- Food and drinks
Additional Information
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.
- 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.
Location
Manchester Unity Building
Collins Street
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.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.9
(14 Ratings)
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S7214qnmarias
Jun 9, 2024
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.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ambersi7616md
May 18, 2024
Look up for the beauty - Sam our tour guide was very knowledgeable and passionate about the art deco in his town. We appreciated he managed to fit us in after other tours throughout the day. That's a lot of talking!
He even kindly took us through extra arcades as spotted on the walk.
There was so much to see and it was the perfect way to cover a lot of ground after having just arrived in town.
Melbourne has done a great job restoring a lot of historical architecture while introducing a vast amount of stunning modern buildings around it.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Charles_s
Nov 21, 2023
A must for a visit to Melbourne! - With our visit in Melbourne almost over, we were treated to a private tour with the very knowledgeable John who walked us through the CBD slowly while carefully describing the treasures of Art Deco architecture that populate the center city. I wish we had started with this tour because then our eyes would have been better trained to appreciate everything we saw. This tour is a great gift to anyone coming to this great city.
Review provided by Viator
182shaeh
Nov 19, 2023
Great Historical Art Deco Tour - We really enjoyed our tour with John. He was very knowledgeable of the art deco period, the history of Melbourne and was friendly and engaging.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Catherinec66
Sep 25, 2023
Art Deco wonders of the CBD - Thank you Sam for a fabulous overview of the Art Deco scene in Melbourne.
It was wonderful to listen to all the stories you told and look at the city with new eyes.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Barbara_m
Aug 16, 2023
An excellent tour for Art Deco buffs and alike - What a wonderful walking tour of Art Deco buildings in Melbourne! Thanks so much San. He was very knowledgeable and brought the building’s stories to life. It was a lovely small group so he could answer any questions that we had. He was personable and thoughtful. Great morning
Review provided by Viator
Samantha_s
Jun 20, 2023
Our tour guide was able... - Our tour guide was able to respond to our questions and asked about our interests, felt the tour was tailormade.
Review provided by Viator
Krysiat_w
Jun 19, 2023
An excellent informative tour. - We very much enjoyed this tour. Catherine was great and very knowledgeable. Gave us all an insight into just how many Melbourne buildings are in the Art Deco style. Going inside some buildings was also very interesting.
Review provided by Viator
Pappaj2016
Jun 18, 2023
An excellent insight into art deco in Melbourne - Catherine was extremely knowledgeable and sheparded us around a wide selection of art deco buildings, both inside and outside. The tour provided an excellent perspective on art deco in Melbourne. She also knew where the best photo could be taken from! Highly recommended.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Margott489
Jun 29, 2023
Great Meltour with a Phryne perspective! - I did the Miss Fisher tour of Melbourne and had such a good time! Along the way we saw places from the show and heard a few anecdotes from filming and discussed 1920s Melbourne. The final cocktail was very tasty as well and a great end to the day! Some locations might not be as accessible as hoped depending on what time of year you go. (Construction etc.) Sadly, the Town Hall was closed for us, but that is sometimes open and you can go inside. The tour guide was kind, funny, and competent in her knowledge of the show and the era. Loved the tour and would gladly do it again!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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