Melbourne's Badass Women History Walking Tour

Step off the beaten track and uncover the hidden stories of women who shaped Melbourne on this unique walking tour.



2 hours Location Melbourne Experience size 1 to 4 (public dates), 12 to 24   $40 - $60 ($40 for Child; $60 for Adult) (Afterpay available)
Melbourne Activities
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Walking Tours
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Kids activities Experience Gifts
This isn’t your average Melbourne walking tour.
Join your passionate and knowledgeable local guides on an inspiring tour of Melbourne's secret women’s history. Walk with us through the heart of the city from the last remaining tower of a hospital founded, staffed, and run entirely by women, through Chinatown and past Parliament before finishing at Melbourne’s Town Hall.
We’ll uncover the hidden history behind some of Melbourne’s most iconic landmarks, including the Princess Theatre, The Hotel Windsor and the Capitol, as well as some hidden gems including Casseldon Place, where the last cottage built in 1877 still remains, and the site of one of Melbourne’s most iconic queer cafes in the 1950s. This diverse, interesting and unique tour will leave you feeling empowered, entertained and inspired to learn more.
Australia’s most viral tour has been featured in the ABC, The Age, Sydney Morning Herald Traveller Awards 2025 and is perfect for first time visitors, seasoned Melbournians and interstate travellers alike. We welcome all guests aged 13+ on this tour. The walk covers about 3km at a relaxed pace, and there are a few places to pause and sit down along the way.
Together we'll uncover some incredible stories of history-shaping women and you might even make a few new friends along the way!
  • This walking tour is not wheelchair accessible and is best suited to mobile travellers
  • The tour runs for two hours
  • Suitable for first-time and regular visitors to Melbourne
  • Learn about the women that history books overlook
  • Stroller / pram accessible
  • Well-behaved dogs allowed and must be kept on a leash the whole time
  • Public transportation nearby

Upcoming dates for Melbourne's Badass Women History Walking Tour

Times are Melbourne time. Dates and prices as of 22 Oct 2026, 4:01pm; availability and price are confirmed live when booking on this page.

106 upcoming dates between 23 Oct 2026 and 18 Apr 2027.

  • Fri 23 Oct 2026, 10am-12pm
  • Fri 30 Oct 2026, 10am-12pm
  • Sat 31 Oct 2026, 10am-12pm
  • Sun 1 Nov 2026, 10am-12pm
  • Thu 5 Nov 2026, 5pm-7pm
  • Fri 6 Nov 2026, 10am-12pm
  • Sat 7 Nov 2026, 10am-12pm
  • Sat 7 Nov 2026, 4pm-6pm
  • Sun 8 Nov 2026, 10am-12pm
  • Thu 12 Nov 2026, 5pm-7pm
  • Fri 13 Nov 2026, 10am-12pm
  • Sat 14 Nov 2026, 10am-12pm
  • Sat 14 Nov 2026, 4pm-6pm
  • Sun 15 Nov 2026, 10am-12pm
  • Thu 19 Nov 2026, 5pm-7pm
  • Fri 20 Nov 2026, 10am-12pm
  • Sat 21 Nov 2026, 10am-12pm
  • Sat 21 Nov 2026, 4pm-6pm
  • Sun 22 Nov 2026, 10am-12pm
  • Thu 26 Nov 2026, 5pm-7pm
  • Fri 27 Nov 2026, 10am-12pm
  • Sat 28 Nov 2026, 10am-12pm
  • Sat 28 Nov 2026, 4pm-6pm
  • Sun 29 Nov 2026, 10am-12pm
  • Thu 3 Dec 2026, 5pm-7pm
  • Fri 4 Dec 2026, 10am-12pm
  • Sat 5 Dec 2026, 10am-12pm
  • Sat 5 Dec 2026, 4pm-6pm
  • Sun 6 Dec 2026, 10am-12pm
  • Thu 10 Dec 2026, 5pm-7pm
  • Fri 11 Dec 2026, 10am-12pm
  • Sat 12 Dec 2026, 10am-12pm
  • Sat 12 Dec 2026, 4pm-6pm
  • Sun 13 Dec 2026, 10am-12pm
  • Thu 17 Dec 2026, 5pm-7pm
  • Fri 18 Dec 2026, 10am-12pm
  • Sat 19 Dec 2026, 10am-12pm
  • Sat 19 Dec 2026, 4pm-6pm
  • Sun 20 Dec 2026, 10am-12pm
  • Thu 24 Dec 2026, 5pm-7pm
  • Sat 26 Dec 2026, 4pm-6pm
  • Thu 31 Dec 2026, 5pm-7pm
  • Sat 2 Jan 2027, 10am-12pm
  • Sat 2 Jan 2027, 4pm-6pm
  • Sun 3 Jan 2027, 10am-12pm
  • Thu 7 Jan 2027, 5pm-7pm
  • Fri 8 Jan 2027, 10am-12pm
  • Sat 9 Jan 2027, 10am-12pm
  • Sat 9 Jan 2027, 4pm-6pm
  • Sun 10 Jan 2027, 10am-12pm
  • Thu 14 Jan 2027, 5pm-7pm
  • Fri 15 Jan 2027, 10am-12pm
  • Sat 16 Jan 2027, 10am-12pm
  • Sat 16 Jan 2027, 4pm-6pm
  • Sun 17 Jan 2027, 10am-12pm
  • Thu 21 Jan 2027, 5pm-7pm
  • Fri 22 Jan 2027, 10am-12pm
  • Sat 23 Jan 2027, 10am-12pm
  • Sat 23 Jan 2027, 4pm-6pm
  • Sun 24 Jan 2027, 10am-12pm
  • Thu 28 Jan 2027, 5pm-7pm
  • Fri 29 Jan 2027, 10am-12pm
  • Sat 30 Jan 2027, 10am-12pm
  • Sat 30 Jan 2027, 4pm-6pm
  • Sun 31 Jan 2027, 10am-12pm
  • Thu 4 Feb 2027, 5pm-7pm
  • Fri 5 Feb 2027, 10am-12pm
  • Sat 6 Feb 2027, 10am-12pm
  • Sat 6 Feb 2027, 4pm-6pm
  • Sun 7 Feb 2027, 10am-12pm
  • Thu 11 Feb 2027, 5pm-7pm
  • Fri 12 Feb 2027, 10am-12pm
  • Sat 13 Feb 2027, 10am-12pm
  • Sat 13 Feb 2027, 4pm-6pm
  • Sun 14 Feb 2027, 10am-12pm
  • Thu 18 Feb 2027, 5pm-7pm
  • Fri 19 Feb 2027, 10am-12pm
  • Sat 20 Feb 2027, 10am-12pm
  • Sat 20 Feb 2027, 4pm-6pm
  • Sun 21 Feb 2027, 10am-12pm
  • Thu 25 Feb 2027, 5pm-7pm
  • Fri 26 Feb 2027, 10am-12pm
  • Sat 27 Feb 2027, 10am-12pm
  • Sat 27 Feb 2027, 4pm-6pm
  • Sun 28 Feb 2027, 10am-12pm
  • Fri 5 Mar 2027, 10am-12pm
  • Sat 6 Mar 2027, 10am-12pm
  • Sun 7 Mar 2027, 10am-12pm
  • Fri 12 Mar 2027, 10am-12pm
  • Sat 13 Mar 2027, 10am-12pm
  • Sun 14 Mar 2027, 10am-12pm
  • Fri 19 Mar 2027, 10am-12pm
  • Sat 20 Mar 2027, 10am-12pm
  • Sun 21 Mar 2027, 10am-12pm
  • Fri 26 Mar 2027, 10am-12pm
  • Sat 27 Mar 2027, 10am-12pm
  • Sun 28 Mar 2027, 10am-12pm
  • Fri 2 Apr 2027, 10am-12pm
  • Sat 3 Apr 2027, 10am-12pm
  • Sun 4 Apr 2027, 10am-12pm
  • Fri 9 Apr 2027, 10am-12pm
  • Sat 10 Apr 2027, 10am-12pm
  • Sun 11 Apr 2027, 10am-12pm
  • Fri 16 Apr 2027, 10am-12pm
  • Sat 17 Apr 2027, 10am-12pm
  • Sun 18 Apr 2027, 10am-12pm
What you'll get
  • Passionate & Professional Local Guide
  • Hand-drawn souvenir postcard by a local artist
  • A group photo with your guide
  • A follow-up list of resources and further reading on the stories shared
Read more details   
Knowledge required
This tour is suitable for those who know nothing about Australian history and Melbourne and for those who feel they already know all there is to know!
What to bring
Please wear comfortable walking shoes and clothing, and bring a water bottle, sunscreen and a hat! This tour runs rain or shine, so if it looks like it will rain, we recommend bringing an umbrella.
Location

Queen Victoria Women's Centre, Lonsdale Street, Melbourne VIC

Melbourne's Badass Women History Walking Tour location
Verified reviews

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Recent reviews of Melbourne's Badass Women History Walking Tour

  • 5/5 from Valerie McCallum, attended Oct 2026: Alison was very passionate about the badass women and their stories: small treasures to big picture stuff...so much hidden but now known about women in Melbourne's history
  • 5/5 from Tricia Currie, attended Sep 2026: I thoroughly enjoyed a great Melbourne's Badass Women History walking Tour with stella femininist leader Kristine. Loved the exploratory approach to finding places of note in the laneways of the CBD. Learned heaps about the amazing women highlighted through well told, interesting stories throughout the comfortably paced walk. Found the engagment with Lady Glays Nicholls story very moving, loved the resourcefullnes and socila justice pursuits of Dr Constance Stone and Mary McKillop. Val Eastwoods Coffee lounge as described by Kristine: "Sometimes all that is needed to make a difference is to offer a chair".
  • 5/5 from Veronica Mackie, attended Aug 2026: Our guide, Nikki, was so awesome! A wonderful orator and very passionate about the subject. So cool to learn not only history about women, but about significant buildings associated with women's history in Melbourne as well.
  • 5/5 from Sandy Caust, attended Aug 2026: Layla was a brilliant guide. She was engaging and knowledgeable - I would have been interested to listen to more of her fascinating stories about the women who shaped Melbourne. This is an easy walking tour - nothing strenuous - and one that is an out of the ordinary historic tour. It was excellent. 5 stars out of 5.
  • 5/5 from Jillian Sands, attended Aug 2026: Great tour lead by Leila. She made it interesting with her extensive knowledge and pleasant manner, she took care of us well!
  • 5/5 from Debra Whitford, attended Aug 2026: Loved this tour! Leila is an incredible guide. She's so knowledgeable, engaging and genuinely passionate about the stories she shares. We came away from the tour feeling inspired and wanting to learn more about the badass women we heard about.
  • 5/5 from Janet Redgrave, attended May 2026: What an amazing 2+ hours with our fabulous host. So many amazing women who shaped our history. And many anonymous in the timelines of our city. Loved the information, the inclusiveness and the genuine interest shown by all along the way. Highly recommend to anyone wanting to know more of the bad ass women who pioneered, fought for and encouraged the progression of women in our city in our not so distant past.
  • 5/5 from Bernadette Thomas, attended May 2026: Tess was a fantastic tour guide. Full of facts and fun! A great way to see your city from a different angle, and to hear some amazing stories about amazing women who built our city and community.
  • 5/5 from Helen Patrice, attended Apr 2026: Knowledgeable and relateable tour guide. I learned about the hidden and suppressed history of women who shaped Melbourne. Im keen to do more tours with this group.
  • 5/5 from Dot, attended Feb 2026: What a wonderful way to explore our beautiful Melbourne. Our ages ranged from 23 to 70, and there was something for everyone. We discovered places and people we had never experienced before. I would recommend the tour.
  • 5/5 from Marie Devine, attended Feb 2026: The tour was really good. Scarlett did a great job - very interesting and engaging. I would highly recommend.
  • 5/5 from Samantha Barkley, attended Jan 2026: Scarlet was great at connecting with the group, ensuring our safety and creating an engaging tour
  • 5/5 from Jane Dennis, attended Jan 2026: What a tour. The sites were fascinating, and our guide was lovely. I would totally recommend the experience
  • 5/5 from Jacqui King, attended Dec 2025: She Shape History again has developed in Melbourne an informative and inspiring walking tour. Our guide was not just an engaging orator but had a background in designing safe cities and places which bought a thought provoking angle to the tour.
Your host

She Shapes History
She Shapes History

5.0 (57)
female Women-owned

We're on a mission to make Australian women's history accessible, entertaining, and engaging through walking tours, social media and one-off events.
She Shapes History started with a simple question – "Where are the women in the history of Australia?"
Bushrangers, convicts, diggers, blokes and battlers are often seen as the main characters of Australian history. In the story of our nation, women have frequently been cast as minor characters. Countless stories have been lost, left unrecorded, undervalued, and untold. As a society, it's so easy to forget that women were behind many of the moments that shaped Australia.
We believe that by recovering the remarkable stories of the women who shaped history, we can challenge our perception of women today. Closing the respect gap in Australian politics and culture today requires that we recognise and re-imagine what Australian women, particularly First Nations women, queer women, women of colour and women with disabilities, have achieved in the past.
While there are many ways to learn more about our history, there is nothing quite like a walking tour. Walking tours offer a unique opportunity to share history in an inclusive, accessible and non-judgmental context.
We use walking tours to highlight the diverse and often forgotten women behind the moments that shaped Australia. We want all Australians, no matter their race, gender or sexuality, to be able to see themselves in Canberra's landscape, in Australian history, and the story of our nation.
So, where are the women in the story of Australia? Well, as you'll discover on our tours, everywhere.
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