2024 Guided Walks: Discover the rich history of your City

    Published 5 February 2024

    Boys Next Door, Crystal Ballroom 1979. Photo by Jeff Busby (AKA Joe Blitz), courtesy Punkjourney.com.

    From its iconic old buildings to a feast of underground music, Port Phillip has an exciting and vibrant history to explore. Let us take you on a journey through what made this city a unique place to live, work and play with our February to June 2024 Guided Walks program.

    Upcoming walks in February

    Our 2024 free Guided Walks program is off to a fabulous start which a blockbuster line up this February starting with a journey though the storied St Kilda underground music scene from 1979 to 1987. The walk for 11 February is already booked out. But we still have spots at two amazing walks available on Friday 16 February. 

    Kicking us off from 2 pm to 4 pm, Rob Wellington talks to special guest Fred Negro of 'I Spit On Your Gravy' fame to discuss the bands, promoters, fashion and artists that made this period such a significant decade in Australian music history. The tour includes a live music stop, featuring, the fabulous ‘Folk Bitch Trio’.

    And we're just warming up - next up Melynda Von Wayward will be in conversation with Paulie Stewart from Painters and Dockers to discuss the iconic decade. And if you missed the previous walk (or you just want more), this one also features a live music stop, featuring, the ‘Folk Bitch Trio’.  

    Port Phillip has proud LGBTIQA+ history, and amongst the many ways we're showing our pride this year is with our 'Queer Connections': Celebrating LGBTIQA+ history in Port Phillip’ exhibition at St Kilda Town Hall from 2 February to 26 April 2024. To coincide with this, we've called on AQuA archivist Graham Willett to host a walk on 25 February from 2 to 4 pm exploring iconic St Kilda venues, and to learn about the trailblazers, entertainers, issues, organisations, glamour and humour that exemplify LGBTIQA+ history in Port Phillip.

    Other upcoming walks

    And that's just for February. We have a stellar line-up of excellent walks led by experts on the history and culture of this incredible city. We have something for everyone from celebrating notable women of St Kilda to an exploration of Acland Street to the greening of South Melbourne. Our full February to June 2024 program is available here: Guided walks and things to do - City of Port Phillip. All walks are free, but book early - they reach capacity fast.