Walking Tours
All walking tours with a guide cost $20 per person, or free for HDR, ECR and attendees from developing countries.
Participants need to add the walking tour to their registration.
1. Bangs St, Prahran, by Australasian Housing Institute
Description: The Victorian Branch Committee of the Australasian Housing Institute (AHI) is excited to welcome you on a site tour of Bangs Street, Prahran. This development consists of 228 social housing units and 206 private BTR units and was delivered for Ground Lease Model 1 (GLM1). Stakeholders of the development include Homes Victoria, Icon and Building Communities Consortium. This first-of-its kind community-based renewal project has replaced old, unsuitable housing with well designed, attractive homes that also improve the local area.
Notes: The tour includes a light lunch with residents.
When: Tuesday 9/2/2027, 12-2pm.
Meeting points: Near Bendigo Street Playground, 21 Bangs Street, Prahran. Free on-street parking along Bangs St, Murray St and surrounds available.
How to get there: PTV tram route no 6 (towards Glen Iris) stops at Hornsby St / St, to the south of the site.
How many: 20 people.
2. Merry Northcote, by Australasian Housing Institute
Description: Merri Northcote is a mixed-tenure residential precinct delivering 250 new homes on the banks of Merri Creek, including 99 social housing dwellings managed by Housing First on behalf of Homes Victoria. Designed with no visual distinction between social and private homes, the project supports dignity, inclusion and a connected community with shared access to amenity.
Homes are arranged within a thoughtfully landscaped, pedestrian-focused environment that prioritises light, ventilation, privacy and connection to outdoor space. A richly planted ground plane links residences to shared paths, gardens and the creek corridor, supporting everyday social life and long-term liveability.
Developed in close collaboration with property developer MAB and a multidisciplinary team, Merri Northcote demonstrates how well-designed high-density housing can deliver environmental performance, strong community outcomes and add value to an established neighbourhood.
Notes: The tour includes a light lunch/afternoon tea with residents and a visit to the rooftop garden.
When: Friday 12/2/2027, 2-4pm.
Meeting points: 4-20 Walker Street, Northcote.
How to get there: Take the train from CBD to Mernda. Get off at Rushal Railway Station in Fitzroy North. Walk 6 minutes to 4-20 Walker Street, Northcote.
How many: 20 people.
Image Credit: Alex Reinders for the photography, and Six Degrees as the Architects.
3. Queen Victoria Precinct, by City of Melbourne
Description: This field visit will examine the Queen Victoria Market Precinct Renewal, a major inner-city urban renewal project that is integrating housing, community infrastructure, public open space and employment uses within Melbourne's central city. Through visits to narrm ngarrgu Library, social housing, and build-to-rent development, participants will explore a range of contemporary housing delivery and tenure models. The tour will also include the Drill Hall precinct and adjacent social housing to consider contrasting approaches to the use of council-owned land and the role of public land assets in achieving housing and community objectives.
When: Friday 12/2/2027, 2-5pm.
Meeting points: narm ngarrgu Library and Family Services, 141 Therry St, Melbourne.
How to get there: Walking distance from RMIT city campus, or City circle tram from CBD.
How many: 80 people.
4. Urban Coup Cohousing
Description: Urban Coup is a cohousing community of 29 households sharing an 8-storey apartment building in Naarm’s (Melbourne) inner North. Urban Coup residents (known colloquially as ‘Coupers’ or ‘Chickens’) invite you to visit their home and discuss their experiences of living in this unique privately funded cohousing apartment complex built for and with future residents. Cohousing is a form of intentional community in which residents opt to collaborate with their neighbours. Outside their own self-contained apartments residents share physical space and community life. The strata titled apartment building was occupied in 2022, some 14 years after the founding members of the community first envisioned developing a cohousing home together. Come tour the building and hear about the journey, the challenges, and the benefits of cohousing life.
For more about Urban Coup, see: https://www.urbancoup.org/
Note: Late arrivals will not be able to join after the tour departs from the building entrance so please arrive in good time. If arriving early, Kines Café is across the road at 11 Hope St. Grab lunch or coffee prior and maybe chat with fellow attendees in advance.
When: Tuesday 9/2/2027 2-4pm, Friday 12/2/2027, 2-4pm.
Meeting points: Tour starts at 24 Hope Street Brunswick 3056. Tour concludes at Anstey Station (Upfield Train Line).
How to get there: PTV Upfield Train line. Brunswick or Anstey station. Tram 19 on Sydney Road, Stop 25/Stewart Street.
How many: 15 people each tour.
Self-guided Walking Tours
All self-guided walking tours are free.
5. Yalinguth: Ngár-go
Description: Yalinguth is an award winning First Nations audio app and walking tour. In the Woi wurrung language Yalinguth means ‘yesterday’. Yalinguth shares history through story, song and soundscapes. There are two story walks to experience in Naarm/Melbourne. Yalinguth is also a celebration of the Elders who paved the way for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Rights in Victoria and Australia.
Note: Attendees need to download the Yalinguth app from any app store. Aboriginal Heritage App https://www.yalinguth.com.au/about
6. North Carlton
Description: This 90–120-minute walk, designed by the City of Yarra, shows you a variety of architectural styles in Melbourne’s inner north, from Victorian mansions to WWII-era flats. You can also see examples of buildings converted into housing, such as a church and the old tram depot.
