Update 24/06/2020: Wayward Wanders is currently only operating private tours due to government restrictions. Tours operate in line with current Victorian government advice, and are limited to no more than nine participants (at the time of writing). Tour locations and format can also be negotiated when booking. Private bookings can be made online.
Sustainability is all around us in Melbourne – at least that’s what you’ll learn on the Green Tour. This eco tour takes the environmentally minded (and sometimes a less environmentally minded friend or partner) on tours around Melbourne that showcase the city’s ecological history and sustainability initiatives.
The Green Tour is run by tour company Wayward Wanders, which is owned and operated by Liam Gook. Liam discovered his passion for helping others discover places while working as a tour guide in Berlin. After returning to Melbourne, he worked as a traditional tour guide, which gave him time to design his own tours. "I wanted to create tours that give guests a deeper understanding of Melbourne, beyond the regular tourist attractions," says Liam "To introduce guests to community projects and discuss the challenges Melbourne is facing both socially and environmentally."
The urban eco tour begins by painting a picture of what Melbourne looked like in the very early days of European colonisation. You’ll be sitting right in the middle of the city (we won’t spoil it by saying exactly where) as Liam describes the landscape of Melbourne in the early 19th century, using information gathered from the diaries of early settlers as well as from Bruce Pascoe’s luminary tome on Indigenous agriculture and civilisation, Dark Emu.
The tour gives a remarkable insight into how some of Melbourne’s most recognisable natural landmarks have changed over centuries, and the ecological impacts these changes have wrought. During the four-hour tour you’ll also discover ingeniously sustainable buildings you probably walk past all the time; Earth-friendly, socially-conscious businesses; and long-standing community not-for-profit groups educating locals on the environment. If you’re interested in the climate crisis, sustainable design, or environmental initiatives, you’ll probably come away from this tour with some new knowledge and a fresh perspective on the city
The Green Tour runs roughly once a month on Thursdays (check the website for upcoming dates) and Wayward Wanders also offer a culture and street art tour called the Alternative Tour. A myki card is required as the Green Tour includes some travel on public transport.