FAQ

Nope, no flags or signs needed! Our bright green t-shirts do the trick. Though if it starts raining, your guide will pop open a green umbrella so you can spot them in the wet weather.

Pop on your favourite comfortable walking shoes or sneakers. Whilst it’s not a strenuous walk, depending on the tour you’ll be on your feet for up to 3 hours exploring the city!

Since kids reserve a spot on the tour just like adults, tips are completely up to you as a family based on your budget and how much fun you all had together!

You can cancel in seconds using the "CLICK HERE TO CHANGE OR CANCEL YOUR BOOKING" link in your confirmation email, which opens up the spot for another traveller.

Nope, no need to book tickets for kids aged 4 and under! You only need to reserve online spots for adults and older kids in your group.

Guides might have physical cash change depending on what other guests have contributed that day, but if not, you can easily tap your card or phone for the exact amount you want to leave!

If today's date or time isn't clickable, it means the tour is fully booked! We cap our group sizes so everyone gets a great experience. If a spot opens up from a cancellation, the booking button will unlock automatically, or you can check availability for tomorrow's walk!

Booking direct guarantees your spot on our official list and doesn't cost us third-party commission fees—meaning 100% of your support goes straight to keeping your local guides walking!

Yes, we cap each tour at a set limit to keep the group manageable and ensure everyone can hear the stories clearly! Once that limit is reached, bookings close for that session.

Absolutely! Being outdoors means parents don't have to stress, our relaxed pace easily accommodates prams, and there's plenty of space at our stops to step back for a minute or two if little ones get a bit restless.

Prams and strollers are completely welcome on our walks! Our main routes utilise public footpaths and pedestrian precincts—just keep to the left on busy paths, and feel free to ask your guide about any localised ramp detours along the way.

Yes, we keep things very relaxed, taking gentle strolls between stops with plenty of standing breaks every 5 to 10 minutes.

It’s a fantastic way to spend a morning together! You get your bearings, learn cool history, and can hit up your guide for the best local coffee, brunch, and cocktail spots for the rest of your weekend.

Not at all, solo travellers join us every single day! It’s super safe, friendly, and easily one of the best ways to meet people when travelling.

It makes an awesome date idea! You get to stroll and discover hidden local spots together, and because the next stop is never far away, if the conversation ever lulls, the guide steps right in and any awkwardness is instantly ended!

Absolutely! Locals constantly tell us, "I’ve walked past that building every day for years and had no idea that happened there!"

On our standard 2.5–3 hour tours, your guide schedules a dedicated 10-minute break about halfway through near clean public restrooms. For our shorter highlight walks, we keep moving without a formal break, though your guide can easily point out facilities along the path if you need a quick duck-away!

Bring a refillable bottle along! We pass public water refill stations on the walk to keep you hydrated.

Super easy. You can duck away whenever you need to, just let your guide know so they aren't waiting for you!

100%! Feel free to feed your baby or give your kids snacks whenever you need to along the way.

No stress at all, we are totally family-friendly! Just step back a few paces from the circle to settle your little one, then hop right back in when you're ready.

Yes, the easy pace and frequent commentary stops make it very manageable for parents with babies and prams.

Because the tour moves from point A to point B without returning to the start, you'll need to bring your stroller along for the whole walk.

While the history is geared toward adults, our guides bring plenty of high energy, visual spots, and fun local legends that keep younger kids watching.

Yes, we pick wide pedestrian zones for all our stops, keeping everyone well clear of busy traffic and drop-offs.

The tour keeps moving, but if you need an emergency pit stop, your guide will point out the nearest facility so you can catch back up at the next stop.

As social as you want it to be! Everyone is there for the exact same reason—to explore and experience the city—so having that instant shared experience makes it super easy to spark up natural conversations along the walk.

Yes! If you want your own guide, custom start times, and a route tailored just for your crew, you can easily book a Private Tour on our site.

Yes, one person can reserve up to 9 tickets under their name and email address in one go.

Smart-casual clothes paired with comfortable walking shoes is the winning combo for heading straight from the tour to dinner.

Our guides are trained to project well and pick quiet, acoustically friendly spots away from noisy traffic.

Yes, in the warmer months our guides actively hunt out tree shade, building awnings, and covered arcades to keep everyone comfortable. During winter they’ll hunt out the sun!

No, our tours finish at a different central location to cover the best sights along the way! Your guide will give you a quick orientation at the end so you can easily navigate to dinner, your hotel, or public transport.

Every guide has their own style! While some like doing quick introductions and others prefer keeping things low-key, the vibe is always warm and welcoming, making it super easy to break the ice and chat with fellow walkers along the way.

Happy to! Guides are always glad to snap a photo for you at our main scenic stops.

Guides usually arrive 10 to 15 minutes before start time to say g'day and get everyone checked in.

Double-check your confirmation email to make sure you're at the right landmark and right time, then look around for your guide in a bright green shirt!

If you don't see a green shirt 5 minutes before start time, take a quick walk around the building to find your guide.

Our guides kick off the introduction about 5 minutes after the scheduled start time and focus 100% on presenting, so we don't handle live calls during kickoff—just double-check the map link in your confirmation email to find the start point!

Yes, our online booking calendar shows live, real-time ticket spots 24 hours a day.

Try checking another time slot on the same day, or drop us an email at info@imfree.tours to ask about booking a Private Tour!

Yes, one person can book up to 9 tickets using their own contact email address.

We send automated email reminders before your tour with all your meeting details, directions, and weather advice.

Greyed-out dates mean we aren’t offering the tour that day. This is usually based on our normal schedule but is occasionally based on changed guide availability.

No app needed—you can manage your booking directly in your phone's browser using the link in your email.

Keep an eye on the calendar, as last-minute cancellations often open up single spots right up to the morning of the tour!

Yes! Replies to confirmation emails go straight to our support team at info@imfree.tours.

Yes, our booking engine uses standard SSL encryption to keep all your personal details safe.

Yes, just make sure to forward them the confirmation email so they know where and when to meet the guide!

You can change or cancel your spot online right up until the time of the tour, but the earlier the better so that others have a chance to book the newly available spaces.

No minimums or maximums—you decide what the tour was worth based on your experience and budget.

Our guides are local history lovers and storytellers who put on great tours to earn their living directly from your contributions at the end.

The free model keeps great tours accessible to everyone, while giving our guides every reason to give you their absolute best every single time.

No way! Because our guides work for your contributions, you get higher energy, better stories, and real local passion.

Your support is shared directly between your guide and our local team, guaranteeing our guides are fairly paid for every walk while keeping our local operations running smoothly!

Everyone is welcome on our walks. If money is super tight, a warm thank-you and a nice online review mean the absolute world to us!

No, but our guides carry card readers that take credit/debit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and major digital wallets.

That's super sweet of you, but financial tips are what actually pay our guides' rent and groceries!

Not at all! Guides are happy to share standard travel norms if you ask.

Card taps or local dollars are easiest, but guides can take major foreign cash like USD or Euros if that's what you have.

Our guides receive a guaranteed wage for every walk, but that is directly funded by guest support, plus a tips component driven by how great a job they do. Your contributions directly reward your guide and keep our tours running!

Card payments have an option to enter your email or phone number to receive a digital receipt straight to your phone! While we can't write up manual receipts for cash contributions on the spot, you're always welcome to pay via card if you need a receipt.

Tipping is completely voluntary. If the tour didn't hit the mark for you, you don't have to tip a thing.

They're free because there's zero upfront cost or risk—you only leave a contribution after you see how good the tour is.

We strongly suggest leaving big bags at storage lockers or your previous hotel. Dragging heavy luggage for 3 hours is no fun for anyone!

Our public tours run on a standard schedule so everyone gets the full experience. We aren't able to adjust our timing for individual schedules. If your ship's boarding time is tight, you're always welcome to drop off the walk early—just let your guide know so they know you're safe!

Yes, based on bookings we put on extra guides on heavy cruise arrival days to keep group sizes comfortable.

Our guides keep a friendly eye on the group and walk at a very manageable speed, but we do need to stick to a clear schedule to cover all our stops on time. If you ever feel like you need a break or a slower pace, just let your guide know!

We don't do full lunch stops, but we take a quick 10-minute bathroom and water break halfway through where there are lots of places to grab a quick snack.

It's split about 50/50 between easy walking and standing to hear stories.

Over 90% of the path is flat city pavement, with a few paved park pathways and the occasional stretch of grass mixed in.

Yes, and wherever possible we cross at traffic lights or pedestrian crossings to keep everyone completely safe.

Yes, you can drop off whenever you need—just let your guide know at a stop so they know you're safe.

While we rarely cancel for heat, safety always comes first! If an extreme heat warning creates dangerous conditions, we will monitor official advice and email booked guests directly at info@imfree.tours if we need to adjust the timing or cancel.

We ask everyone to check the forecast and bring their own compact umbrella or raincoat just in case.

We monitor official environmental health warnings closely. While we generally walk as planned, if air quality reaches severe or hazardous levels, we may cancel or shorten the walk to keep everyone safe. If that’s the case, we’ll get in touch with anyone booked by email.

Your guide will duck the group into a covered spot like an historic arcade or station concourse.

Yes! Finding shade under trees and awnings is a top priority for our guides in summer.

Definitely. Packing a compact umbrella or rainjacket is always a smart move for city walking tours.

We send an urgent email straight to the email address you used when booking.

Not really. Based on the weather and how prepared everyone is, we may adjust the route a bit to cover as much as possible with as much cover as possible.

Dogs are definitely welcome! Just keep in mind that on some routes we might duck briefly inside historic buildings or arcades where pets aren't allowed. In those moments, your guide will gladly point out where you can wait nearby or take a quick alternate detour so you can hop right back into the group!

It’s a fun mix of both! We blend deep local history with modern culture, lifestyle stories, and great tips to help you get the most out of your stay.

Yes, our guides project clearly and speak at a steady pace so international visitors can follow along as easily as possible.

100%! All our guides live here, love the city, and bring real local knowledge.

Our guides go through a thorough selection and training process! They master deep local history and cultural content, pass a hands-on presentation assessment, and complete mentored onboard tours with experienced senior guides before stepping out on their own.

All our public scheduled tours are in English, but occasionally we have guides who can offer a private tour in a different language. Let us know at info@imfree.tours and we can see what we can do.

Every guide brings their own unique flair to the walk! While some love sharing personal anecdotes and insider memories, others focus more on local history and culture—giving you a fresh, authentic perspective every time.

We skip the boring textbook lectures in favour of great storytelling! Everything we share is thoroughly researched and historically accurate, so if we ever dive into a colourful local legend, tall tale, or bit of folklore, we'll explicitly call it out so you know what's fact versus fiction.

Of course! Our guides love chatting between stops. While each guide has their own unique background and specific areas of expertise, they’re always happy to share what they know about local life, history, and modern city culture.

Because our routes and street paths can vary on the day, it’s really hard to catch back up once you lose the group, so we strongly recommend staying close to your guide! If you do get separated, drop our team a quick email at info@imfree.tours straight away; if someone is on hand in the office, we'll do our best to help point you in the right direction.

Our tours have a relaxed, public vibe, so guides keep a general track of the group but don't do formal headcounts at every stop! While you're always welcome to drop off early if you need to, we just ask that you give your guide a quick heads-up before you duck away so they know you're safe and not lost.

Absolutely! There are plenty of great photo ops along the route. We just ask that you stay mindful of your surroundings, traffic, and fellow pedestrians while snapping your shots.

Yes, guides carry a basic first-aid kit for minor scrapes or blisters.

Your guide will help you find a place to rest, point you to nearby transport or taxis, or call help if needed.

Yes, for everyone's comfort and safety, guides can turn away anyone who is heavily intoxicated.

We don't tolerate disruptive behaviour, and guides have full authority to remove unruly people from the group.

Email our management team directly at info@imfree.tours so we can look into it and sort it out.

Yes, for safety and legal reasons, wherever possible our groups cross strictly at traffic lights or pedestrian crossings.

It depends on the guide and the group! Some guides prefer using compact voice amplifiers on busier days, while others use natural vocal projection. Rest assured, our guides ensure everyone can hear clearly regardless of their style.

Short clips are fine, but full-length audio recordings of our guides' scripts aren't allowed.

Yes, short video clips and photos for Instagram or vlogs are awesome—just tag us!

Please respect other travellers' privacy and stick to taking photos of landmarks and your own crew.

Handheld cameras are fine, but tripods are a trip hazard on busy footpaths, so please leave those at home.

We strongly recommend leaving wheels at home or locked up at the start point of the tour! While you're welcome to push a bike or scooter alongside the group on some routes, riding them during the walk isn't allowed for the safety of our group and fellow pedestrians.

No, smoking and vaping are strictly banned within the tour group.

Yes, guides are always happy to snap a quick photo for you at scenic stops!

No, drone use is banned during tours due to strict city council and aviation laws.

Your guide will share their city's specific review link or QR code (Google, TripAdvisor, etc.) towards the end of the walk! If you miss it, just head to our website, select the city you toured, and you'll find direct links to leave a review for your guide. Thanks!

Guides tweak the route on the fly to bypass rally areas while keeping the tour fun and complete.

Yes, we walk during major events by adapting our path around road closures.

City streets change constantly! If a footpath is unexpectedly closed, our guides adapt on the fly, safely rerouting the group along alternate footpaths and pedestrian crossings.

Yes, the walk goes ahead as planned! Restorations are just a normal part of city life. Even if a building facade is covered, our guides focus on the history, stories, surrounding streetscape, and wider context that make the stop famous.

Yes, your guide will pop under cover so everyone can grab rain gear before moving on.

Our guides always start about 5 minutes after the scheduled start time and are around the meeting area for a few extra minutes while starting the tour. If you're delayed beyond that, drop us an email at info@imfree.tours so we can potentially help you catch up or rebook for another day.

Absolutely! We don't have a minimum group size to run our public walks. Even if you're the only person who shows up, your guide will happily give you a full, personalized 1-on-1 tour experience!

Tell your guide straight away so they can help backtrack, or email us at info@imfree.tours after the tour.

Our cities are very safe, so dropped items are often recovered or handed in somewhere nearby! However, because the tour keeps moving, going back to retrieve something usually means leaving the walk. If you realise you've lost something after the tour ends, drop us an email at info@imfree.tours and we'll gladly check in with your guide or help point you toward where you might find it.

We don't send recurring marketing newsletters or spam! We only send a single post-tour follow-up email after your walk to share city recommendations and wrap up your booking. Because it's a one-off transactional message rather than an ongoing subscription, there's no need to unsubscribe.

Never. We strictly respect your privacy and will never sell or share your details.

We’ve been sharing local history and stories for over 17 years! We launched our very first walking tour in Sydney back in 2009, before expanding to Melbourne in 2011, opening in Auckland, New Zealand in 2022, and Brisbane in 2025.

Yes! Walking tours are the ultimate low-carbon, eco-friendly way to explore a city.

We don't sell any merch or souvenirs! Trust us, while our team t-shirt colour is iconic on the street, it is definitely not a fashion statement you'd want taking up space in your wardrobe.

Please drop us an email at info@imfree.tours! We pride ourselves on sharing thoroughly researched, accurate history, but with hundreds of stories told across our walks, we're always open to learning. If you spot a detail that feels off or have updated local insight to share, we’d love to hear from you.

Because our walks are open public tours where parents or guardians remain with their children at all times, Working With Children clearances are not legally required for our guides. While some guides hold individual checks from other roles, our public tours are designed as open, family-friendly group experiences.

All affected bookings are cancelled immediately with full updates sent straight to your email.

While we don't do paid partnerships or commercial kickbacks, we love supporting local businesses! If you run a fantastic café, bar, or eatery along our route and have a great offering or deal for travellers, drop us an email at info@imfree.tours. We're always happy to pass the word along to our guides for authentic recommendations.

Please direct all business development and partnership ideas to info@imfree.tours.

100%. Our guides recommend local spots purely based on great quality and real local love.

Yes! Groups of 10+ aren't allowed on regular public tours, but you can easily book a Private Tour on the relevant city page of our site.

Since review sites like Google and TripAdvisor list each of our cities separately, leaving individual reviews for each city tour works best! It only takes a quick moment and ensures the specific guides who hosted you in each city get the credit they deserve.

All of our public scheduled walks are conducted in English. Our guides speak clearly and adapt their pace for international guests who have a functional understanding of English.

It’s ideal! It is easily the best orientation walk for newly arrived honeymooners getting grounded in the city.

Definitely! While we're not a private security detail, walking with a friendly local guide in a fun public group is one of the safest, easiest ways to get your bearings and feel right at home in a new city.

It's the ultimate host cheat code! Let us handle all the guiding and history while you just walk and enjoy time with your guests.

It is hands-down the fastest way to get your head around your new city's layout, history, and vibes.

Yes, provided everyone stays respectful and clear-headed! It's a great low-key starter activity before your afternoon plans kick off.

Definitely! The vast majority of our guests are adult travellers, couples, and independent explorers. Our commentary focuses on engaging local history, architecture, and stories, making it a sophisticated yet casual experience whether you're travelling as a couple or joining on your own.

We host many grey nomads and senior travellers! The walk is designed at a relaxed, comfortable pace with frequent standing stops to hear stories. While there are standard city pavement conditions and occasional gentle inclines, it's accessible for anyone used to a standard city walk.

Absolutely! It’s one of the best value-for-money ways to get your bearings in a new city. You’ll meet fellow travellers, pick up insider tips on cheap eats and free local sights, and get expert orientation right at the start of your trip.