For $35 AUD, you get a 24-hour pass that gives you access to a 90-minute St. Kilda tour and a…read more2-hour City Tour. They overlap at a few stops but for the most part, they go different ways.
Really the best thing is to start at Stop 1, at Federation Square. The stop is on Flinders Street, right in front of the Atrium, the National Gallery of Victoria, and next to the Australian Centre for the Moving Image.
There is a representative at the stop, but you won't buy your ticket until just before you leave. (This will maximize the time on your ticket.)
If you need to wait, the Atrium is a good place for this. There are places to sit and wait. There are several restaurants, and restrooms to the back and right. There are steps but also ramps, so it is all accessible.
The first City Tour leaves at 9:30 am and then leaves every 40 minutes. St. Kilda starts at 9:45 am then every 2 hours. These are the double-decker red buses you've probably seen. They're open on top. There are steep stairs to get up there. Downstairs there are bench seats which turned out to be surprisingly comfortable. I didn't slide around like I have on other bus tours like this in other cities. Warning, though, if you have long legs - there's not a lot of room between seats downstairs. I don't know about upstairs. Also, some windows downstairs are covered by the company's advertising, so choose your seat wisely downstairs.
There are no headphones. The commentary comes over the speakers. I could hear it fine downstairs, although I could have done without the bad jokes (which really were bad).
Please be courteous toward other passengers who are listening. About halfway through one of the tours three women came downstairs and sat in three seats around me. They proceeded to talk non-stop and played videos for each other - with the sound going - on their phones. The one in front of me was a gum-chewing machine who also kept popping her gum. These were mature women who should have known better. Shame on you.
Alas, the bus I was on was not accessible. It was the same bus for both tours. However, I *think* other buses are accessible. Check with the company for sure.
You can also get a 48 hour ticket, a family pass, concession tickets, combo tickets with river tours, and packages that give you entry discounts at various sites like the zoo or Sea Life Melbourne.
We were nine minutes from leaving when my digestion kicked in. I had to get off the bus. I'm slow, so it took awhile to get to the restroom and back. I told them it was okay for them to go, but they waited. They also helped me out of the bus as that last step was tough for me.
I liked both tours, but especially the St. Kilda one. I found it to be more scenic, and with more nature involved. The City Tour does live up to its name, although you do see a bit of nature, too.
This company also runs river cruises (Melbourne River Cruises).
