Melbourne Walking Tour- Media Release

iPhone tour places Melbourne at world’s cutting edge

Australia’s first full-multimedia iPhone walking tour was launched in Melbourne today – and is set to redefine the way visitors experience the city.

The iCity2r Melbourne walking tour is first to integrate video, text and images on a GPS-linked route in an application that places a virtual tour guide into the palms of mobile phone users.

The 70-minute tour takes iPhone users on a carefully-prepared route that starts and finishes at Flinders St Station, taking participants past the best of Melbourne’s historical sites, bars, restaurants and monuments.

Developed by long-term Melbourne residents, Mr Tim Winkler and Ms Kate Scott, the iCity2r Melbourne walking tour provides an opportunity for both visitors and Melbournians to gain a deeper appreciation of the City’s heart.

“Anyone who has lugged a one or two kilogram guidebook around the backstreets of Europe or Asia will appreciate the concept of downloading a guided tour with text, pictures and video onto a phone that fits into their back pocket,” Mr Winkler said.

“This new package gives you a personalised tour that you can pick up or abandon whenever you want, for not much more than a cup of coffee.

“Getting lost, failing to understand the locals and taking pot luck on a decent place to eat can be fun sometimes – but when that’s not appealing, the chance to instantly download Melbourne’s secrets and be guided throughout the city with GPS mapping will be very attractive.”

The iCity2r Melbourne tour threads through streets and laneways across the CBD, including:

A fountain built by a convict who came to the attention of authorities after carving soup bones –turning his attention to a three year project carving bluestone in Pentridge Prison in a project that eventually won him his freedom

A lane that has evolved from fabric warehouses to chic

Hidden secrets of one of Melbourne’s premiere historic building

The application features videos interviews with leaders in architecture, city development and government to provide a deeper insight into the city.

“Adding video interviews and clips enables us to give visitors an insight into Melbourne that they would never normally be able to access – providing 24 hour access to people who share some really important insights into what makes Melbourne tick,” Ms Scott said.

“It also makes this the walk accessible to people of all ages – this walk holds interest for people whether they are 5 or 75.”

The iCity2r Melbourne walking tour is available through the iPhone app store and is to be followed by a Sydney walking tour, to be released next month.

For more information, please contact Kate Scott – 0414 546 971 / Tim Winkler – 0409 551 743