Melbourne Historical Walking Tour: Crime, Gangsters & Lolly Shops
Description
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.
Tour Options
Itinerary
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.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
Reviews(145)
Michael has done a lot of research. The historical stories are entertaining and informative. This walk involves stories about women in the 'slum area' and how they survived and adapted their business model to survive over many years.
AMAZING!! We learnt so much about the crime history of the tiny little district of Lonsdale Street. Our guide had so much knowledge from years and years of his own research and told the stories in such a fun way, bringing the people and spaces to life through projected images. It would be hard to know the full extend of the stories without jumping on the tour, and we wouldn't have found many of the buildings without the help of a guide. Highly recommend for anyone with an interest in history and crime.
Michael was great very informative and knew a lot. As a person that lives in Melbourne I learnt a lot of things I didn’t know and had fun
Michael is a very knowledgeable guide who's spent many years researching historical crime from police reports dating back to the late 1800s. On this tour, he passionately recounts the stories behind the buildings and lives of the madams, gangsters and police who operated in the Little Lon district of Melbourne. A fascinating and entertaining tour. I highly recommend it!
Highly recommend this tour and all the tours that he does. Very knowledgeable and so interesting to know what life was like back in the late 1800s. Also stopping in front of buildings to know the history behind it. We had a private tour as it turned out that it was only my husband and I and our 2 friends. It was really good 👍
We chose the night version of this tour with Michael and he shows a number of interesting facts by projecting slides on the walls which is great. Michael knows his stuff and is so knowledgeable and helpful with no question too silly to ask. You learn so much about the area and its characters, my favourite would be Sarah Dalvean. The only thing that makes me sad is the fact most of the area is now redeveloped unlike Sydney’s dubious areas. This tour is great for history buffs, tourists and locals wanting to learn more about their city. It is suitable for those in wheelchairs as well.
Excellent! Learnt a lot about the history of Melbourne. Michael was a great storyteller. Lots of stops so an easy walk.
Fantastic experience! Great pace to the tour. Lots of interesting facts that I didn't know about. Michael is a great storyteller as well with a passion for the topic, it made it a good blend of fun and interest. I am looking forward to doing his other tours of Chinatown and Fitzroy.
We had a fantastic morning with Michael learning all about the Gangsters and Madams of Melbourne's "Little Lon" area. It was also so lovely to see some of the original buildings still standing and still being used, albeit for more law abiding activities. The little booklet that Michael provided was such a great idea and really helped you picture these real life criminals. If you have a few hours to spare, give this a go. Michael was knowledgeable and although it was serious content, he still made it humorous.
Excellent tour with a very informative and knowledgeable guide, well done
