How seniors are rediscovering Melbourne through tour guides

Paul Daffey, a former sports journalist, has found a new way to combine his editorial background with his love for the city of Melbourne.

Mr Daffey has been tour guiding for 10 years and is now specialising in walking tours across the city. From Flinders Lane to Queen Victoria Market or the vibrant alleyways and arcade culture, he ensures that each tour is enriched with information about our city’s hidden history.

“I’m bringing to life stories from the past, but in a present context,” he told CBD News.

Being a senior himself, Mr Daffey’s tours are designed for the seniors of Melbourne. However, he emphasised that non-seniors are still encouraged to join the tour guides, as well as international or out-of-state guests.

The tours are intimate, with a maximum of 10 people for a three-hour walk with a break in the middle for tea or coffee. For those after a shorter option, he is planning to offer 90-minute tours – perfect if you’re short on time or prefer a smaller walk.

He works in partnership with Amy Gardner, who has begun a platform titled Seniors in Melbourne.

Mr Daffey said that helping and guiding seniors to explore Melbourne was the aim of the platform.

“A lot of seniors are very active, and they’ve got time, so they’re looking for things to do. I do the tours, and Amy organises things using her Seniors in Melbourne skills,” he said.

Mr Daffey enjoys guiding seniors through the city streets because he can teach them about hidden facts and gems of Melbourne that aren’t found on the main streets.

“They see the city anew,” he said. 

There are six walking tours to choose from as well as private group tours, such as a city special starting at Flinders Street Station, market day tours beginning on the steps of the General Post Office, and literature, politics or pub walks.

“Melbourne is officially a city of literature,” Mr Duffey said, adding that it was the second city to be awarded this status in 2008 after Edinburgh, making it a significant landmark in the city.

Pub culture is also famous here and provides seniors with a positive social space to form friendships after the tour guides.

Mr Daffey said that the walking contributed to a sense of community for the seniors.

“We bring people together in the context of learning about the city in which most of them lived all their lives, and they see things anew, which is rewarding.”

Although each tour is uniquely different, stopping at famous Melbourne landmarks such as the State Library, the Athenaeum Library and the Curtin House, Daffey has knowledge of every hidden corner of the city.

“I always stop if I’m talking about a location or a venue,” he said.

Mr Daffey’s tour guides offer the chance to rediscover Melbourne in a detailed and authentic way. With different streets and landmarks to see, the walks are an insight into the city’s rich history.

Tour guides can be booked through the Seniors in Melbourne website. •