Friday, 4 September 2026
2:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Join veteran translator Monica Pinda for a leisurely walking tour through some of Melbourne's famous laneways and historic arcades.
Having called Melbourne home for most of her life, Monica will share some of her favourite laneways and the stories behind them.
Beyond the city's main streets lies a network of more than 200 laneways and arcades. Here you might encounter Pesto the Penguin or Sammy the Seal, tributes to AC/DC and Chrissy Amphlett, or perhaps even a Parisian café, all immortalised in street art. The walk will also include historic mosaic-floored arcades and countless cafés where coffee tragics can get their caffeine "fix".
Given their nineteenth-century origins as service alleys, Melbourne's laneways are not always pristine or sweet smelling, but they are full of character and offer a unique glimpse into the city's history and culture.
The tour will conclude at the Oxford Scholar Hotel, the venue for the Zenyasai, at approximately 4:30 pm, making it easy for participants to continue on to the evening's festivities.
Registration will open at 9:00 am on 1 August.
Please note:
- Participation is free of charge, but advance registration is required.
- Numbers are strictly limited to 12 IJET participants.
- Priority will be given to IJET participants visiting Melbourne from overseas, followed by interstate - Australia-based participants, if demand exceeds capacity.
- The tour will be conducted in English.
- The walk covers approximately two and a half hours at a leisurely pace.
- Some laneways are paved with old cobblestones and other uneven surfaces, so comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
- The meeting point and final route will be advised to registered participants closer to the conference.
