Melbourne Private Tours is a full service private touring agency, inspired by a thirst to share renowned and hidden corners of Victoria. The vision of Josh Oakes and Susan Healy, MPT was built upon a foundation of creativity and passion for adventure and culinary delights.
From day touring to corporate entertaining, we believe in creating unique experiences with an emphasis on touching, tasting, connecting and learning each step of the way. So let us introduce the team.
Josh
Josh is a true blue Aussie, or as we like to put it – the Australian spirit personified. He loves nothing more than a day at the beach complete with cricket, surfing and a nice cold beer. Josh’s easy going personality makes him popular with people from all walks of life. He can get a smile out of anybody from anywhere. Founder and owner of Melbourne Private Tours, Josh loves everything about Melbourne and knows the city inside and out. Whatever you are looking for in Melbourne, Josh knows where to find it and he is always happy to make a recommendation (or ten).
Suze
The girl whose been everywhere and seen everything… but there is still no place like home. Founder and passionate owner of Melbourne private tours, Suze loves everything that Melbourne has to offer. Good food, good wine and good coffee are all Suze’s forte. There is no Melbournian who knows more about the best restaurants and chefs in town. Ask for a dinner recommendation and she can give you ten. Ask for a coffee and Suze will show you where you can get the best cup in Australia (and we are not joking).
Dave
Born in Newcastle, New South Wales (don’t hold that against him), Dave has seen more of this country than anybody else we know. We like to think of Dave as an outdoor-indoor, country-city, ute driving, motorbike riding, adopted Melbournian. Dave’s perfect day involves a morning surf (or water ski), followed by a bite of lunch in one of Melbourne’s laneway restaurants, followed by an evening of live music in one of the cities funkiest bars. Dave is also an encyclopaedia of knowledge when it comes to this big, sunburnt land so make sure you keep those questions coming.
Simon
Simon is a man who loves what he does. With thirteen years experience guiding tours in dozens of locations all over the world (China, India, and Italy just to name a few), Simon has finally returned to Melbourne to share his much loved home city with the world. When he is not touring, you are sure to find Simon dining out at one of Melbourne’s best restaurants or in the kitchen whipping up a tasty dish for his two year old son William (his most avid food critic). Simon has also lectured in wine tourism so if you are looking for some tips for your trip to the Yarra Valley then he is definitely your man.
Bruce
Bruce is a true Melbourne man who loves to get out and enjoy whatever the city has to offer. On any given day you are likely to find Bruce enjoying some good food and wine in a tasty Melbourne restaurant or dragging his family along to watch his beloved Melbourne Football Club (just don’t mention Collingwood!). Bruce loves his travel and is always keen to swap some travel stories. He also loves the architecture in Melbourne so feel free to start a conversation about the finer points of the Melbourne streetscape – one of the many features that make this city unlike any other in the world. Bruce has been guiding for many years and, as well as hosting guests in his beloved Australia, he’s also led many cultural and academic tours to countries such as China.
Tom
Tom is a Sydney boy with a big secret – he really, really, really loves Melbourne! Tom spends much of his free time travelling the world so he knows just how special and unique Melbourne really is. When he is not studying for his degree in tourism (we told you he loves travel!), you are sure to find Tom stall hopping at Queen Victoria Markets looking for new and exotic foods. Tom is also a big fan of Melbourne’s unusual bar scene. He is always happy to point out the location of a nice rooftop bar where you can enjoy a cold beer and look out over the city as the sun goes down.
Neil
Neil has been in the industry for more years than you can count and loves nothing more than showing you the secrets of our marvellous state…the friendly great outdoors man…you will never meet a more knowledgeable or friendly host in all your travels of Australia!
John
John has his hand in so many things we can hardly keep up. There is John the food and wine lover who enjoys a visit to the Yarra Valley or Mornington Peninsula. John the cyclist who has ridden stages of the Giro D’Italia and Tour de France (and even conquered the much feared Mont Ventoux). There is John the wine maker caring for his family’s vines, John the educator, John the bed and breakfast operator and John the Linguist (he loves a brief chat to keep his Dutch sharp). Then, of course, there is also John the guide whose lifetime of travel and work in the tourism industry has given him an unparalleled understanding and passion for all things Melbourne.
David
David is somebody who likes the good things in life – good food, good wine, good sport and a good book. Perhaps that is also why he chooses to live in the food, wine, sport and culture capital of Australia – Melbourne. David has travelled the world extensively but has always managed to find his way back to Melbourne where he has been working as a tour guide for the last ten years. In his spare time David loves to write (he has already published one book). He also works as a volunteer newsreader on community radio where he loves to report on (among other things) the many successes of his beloved Geelong Football Club. Go Cats!