Melbourne Historical Walking Tour: Crime, Gangsters & Lolly Shops


2 hours
Free cancellation
1 - 15
Mobile ticket

Overview

Take a walk through downtown Melbourne and learn of an era in which there was much more on offer at the local confectionery store than just lollies and soft drinks. Explore Melbourne’s underworld c.1870’s to 1930’s, an era in which Melbourne’s downtown slum district, ‘Little Lon’, was mostly run by women. Learn about the battle for supremacy, madams who stood their ground against well-known gangsters such as Squizzy Taylor, and an all-female crime syndicate known as ‘The Combine’. Stop outside buildings which were once brothels and sly grog shops (speak easies), and hear the stories of what occurred within their walls and on the streets and laneways around them.

Shootings, bombings, bashings, brothels, robberies, opium, cocaine and sly grog (speak easies).

The tour is designed and delivered by writer and historian, Michael Shelford.

Inclusions

  • A tour booklet featuring photos of the characters discussed along the way.

What to expect

Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

Stop At: Little Lon Distilling Co., 17 Casselden Pl, Melbourne Vic, Melbourne, Victoria 3000 Australia

Little Lon Distilling Co is a Gin Distillery which operates from Melbourne CBD's only surviving single story cottage. It also happens to be a former house of ill repute. You will hear stories of the cottage's former inhabitants, sourced from original police files.

Duration: 10 minutes

Additional information

  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Children must be accompanied by an adult
  • Stroller accessible
  • Service animals allowed
  • Near public transportation
  • Transportation is wheelchair accessible
  • Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
  • Most travelers can participate
  • Gear/equipment sanitized between use
  • Guides required to regularly wash hands
  • COVID-19 vaccination required for guides
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 20 travelers
  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking

Ticket delivery

You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.

Cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start time of the experience.
CodyHart20
January 2022

My partner and I were visiting Melbourne from Adelaide this week for our Birthdays and decided to book this tour. Michael was an amazing tour guide and one of the nicest blokes I met. His knowledge of historic crime and criminals within Melbourne is by far the best i’ve heard after being on a few...

Asoneill
January 2022

I am a born and bred Melbournian and never knew Melbourne had so many lolly shops 😂. Michael's extensive knowledge made this experience very enjoyable.

CatN86
August 2021

Excellent tour by a passionate and engaging guide. Despite the chilly Melbourne night we did not want to your to end. Highly recommend

M6080VPdavida
November 2021

Very interesting and worthwhile tour. Two hours investigating Melbourne's colourful Underworld. We saw where famous brothels were and heard the stories about the "ladies" who ran them. We saw where the Sly Grog shops were and the stories about the proprietors. We saw where "Quizzy" Taylor lived ...

TFJ100
December 2021

Before booking this tour, I wasn't sure that I would find it very spectacular, however it really was a fantastic experience. I expected it to be a bit more architecturally focused, however the in-depth review of the characters, supported by Michael's personal and painstaking research, was fascina...

Belinda B
July 2021

Amazing tour!! Loved the knowledge of the tour guide. You can tell he really loves what he does and knew about the funny relationships and things that occurred during the time. Definately recommend!

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