photo of The Block Arcade, in Melbourne; reproduced with permission of the Melbourne Convention + Visitors Bureauphoto of a model wearing a hat created by Melbourne's milliner Louise Macdonaldphoto of a chocolate dessert View other tours:
special tours

Experience Melbourne's exciting shopping, historical and cultural world. The special tours are for groups (12 to 26 people) and are available on weekdays only. Starting times and length of tours can be arranged to fit in with your group's itineraries, and the content can be especially designed to suit your group's interests. What about a mix of chocolate, fashion and history?

Chocolate, fashion and Melbourne's arcades tour

Explore exquisite arcades, historical laneways and discover some of the out-of-the-way places. History, fashion and chocolate combine in one big melting pot to give those visiting (or living in) Melbourne a delicious taste of life in this city.

The walking tour starts at Haigh's Chocolates in the Block Arcade. Haigh's is one of Australia's best-known chocolates, dating from 1915. The Block Arcade was built in the early 1890s and modelled on a magnificent arcade in Italy's Milan. Tread on the mosaic floor, gaze up at a beautiful painted mural ceiling, peep into the Hopetoun Tearooms before leaving this masterpiece.

Stroll through Melbourne's oldest arcade, the Royal Arcade, dating from the 1870s and guarded by the famous Gog and Magog statues. Quaint and old-fashioned, it is alive with personalities making their livings, from old-fashioned technique of lolly-making to fascinating fragrances.

On to Howey Court, which in its heyday was part of the famous Coles Book Arcade, boasting a stock of over a million books – some surely must have been about chocolate. We stop to discuss bygone times and take in the fashions of this stylish precinct.

Now it is time to relax in one of Melbourne's stylish cafes with your favourite drink; hot chocolate, tea or coffee and a delicious chocolate creation. A short walk up the Paris end of Collins Street leads us to the Assembly Hall with its beautiful gothic revival architecture. This houses the Ken Gray and Alister Reid Gallery, which displays antique and contemporary jewellery, plus objet d'art. The gallery, as well as exhibiting their own creations, represents the Gold and Silver Guild members.

We cross the City Square to the studio of Louise Macdonald (see photo on the right), one of Melbourne's top milliners. Louise is responsible for many of the stylish hat creations which adorn the heads of fashion gurus. Get a sneak preview glimpse of her designs for the upcoming fashion events, including Melbourne's Racing Carnival, or even enrol in one of her hat-making courses.

Just a short stroll to Flinders Lane, the birthplace of many fashion houses. Christine is an exquisite designer salon showcasing the latest in both local and overseas accessories, from hats to handbags, jewellery to clothes. This was the brainchild of Christine Barro and is gorgeous!

Note: Tour duration, price and itinerary can be discussed on application. Due to some tour stops, the chocolate walking tours are not wheelchair or pram friendly.

More tour suggestions
Some tour suggestions which can be designed to suit your group's time and special interests:

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For more information or to book your tour, please contact Chocoholic Tours.