Melbourne

Melbourne Historical Walking Tour: Crime, Gangsters & Lolly Shops

Badge of ExcellenceMelbourne, Australia

Melbourne Crime Walking Tour Gangsters Brothels and Lolly Shops

2 hours
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

Overview

Step back in time and explore downtown Melbourne’s gangster past. Discover buildings along Lonsdale Street that were once brothels and speakeasies from the 1870s to the 1930s. Hear myths and legends about the famous gangsters of the era such as Squizzy Taylor and the slum of ‘Little Lon,’ and how these gangs used lolly shops—candy stores—as fronts for massive drug operations.

Take a 2-hour historical walking through Melbourne’s CBD
Learn about the gangsters and crime mobs from the 1870s to the 1930s
Visit buildings that were once brothels and hubs for crime
Hear myths and legends about gangsters such as Squizzy Taylor

What's Included

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

Please bring along your own food and drinks.

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

282 Exhibition St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
We meet at the Coopers Inn Hotel, 282 Exhibition St, Melbourne CBD. The Coopers has great food, drink, and a friendly Australian pub atmosphere.

End point

36 Lonsdale St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
The tour finishes at the corner of Lonsdale Street and Madame Brussels Lane.

What To Expect

Little Lon Distilling Co.

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
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
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 20 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.

Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.

Traveler Photos

Reviews

5.0

80 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travelers.

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Showing 1-10 of 80 reviews

Informative

James_B, Apr 2024

Michael was a great guide with clearly a lot of knowledge. It would have been great if the tour included a little more time to sample things in these past historic cottages. Overall would recommend it.

Well worth it

Barney_M, Mar 2024

Wonderful tour Michael is a knowledgeable enthusiast guide. The tour is extremely informative and interesting. Would love to do his upcoming Chinatown tour and buy his soon to be published book letters from little Lon

Great experience

Lori_E, Jan 2024

We had a fantastic tour. Our tour guide had an abundance of information much of which he researched himself looking through thousands of old police reports. Truly amazing and very interesting!

Interest & Intrigue. The darker side of Melbourne's past.

Kerrie_I, Jan 2024

An interesting and intriguing insight into the history of Melbourne's sinister past. Michael provides real documentation and stories with enthusiasm and passion bringing the past and people to life. The tour started on time and ran smoothly. Michael was friendly and welcoming. I highly recommend the tour to anyone who loves hearing about the lives and history that shaped a city. Easy to find meeting place. I loved the brochure Michael provided with photographs for everyone to keep. Easy to tell how much time and research Michael has done to provide such an excellent tour.

Melbourne history bought to life

Racheal_J, Dec 2023

Learning about Melbourne' s history and exploring the city's underworld. The host Michael was very knowledgeable and is a gifted narrator. He is easy to listen to. Great experience of a time in Melbourne's history.

10/10!

Hannah_L, Sep 2023

Michael was one of the best tour guides we’ve ever had. His knowledge and passion for Melbourne history came through. He was entertaining, polite, fun and interesting. Everyone on our tour had a fantastic time.

Response from Host, Nov 2023

Thank you Hannah! Really glad you enjoyed the tour. Thanks for the great review, Cheers, Michael

Great tales in a new perspective

Liane_C, Sep 2023

The historic police records so carefully researched and told in a great story take. Seeing the buildings still there gives a whole new perspective to the area.

Response from Host, Sep 2023

Thank you Liane. Really glad you enjoyed the tour and thank you for the review, Cheers, Michael.

Sharon_D, Aug 2023

We all enjoyed the experience. It was very informative and while learning about Melbourne’s history, there were lots of funny stories. A great way to spend an afternoon.

Response from Host, Aug 2023

Thanks for the great review. Really glad you enjoyed the tour, Cheers, Michael

Worth the walk

Lesley_B, Aug 2023

Learn about all the characters of the day, very interesting, learnt more about Melbourne's back yard history. The information Michael knows, old files he has gone through. It really is worth the walk and talk.

Response from Host, Aug 2023

Thanks Lesley. Really glad you enjoyed the tour and appreciate you taking the time to leave a review, thanks, Michael

What a great thing to do on the weekend.

Carmel_A, Apr 2023

This was just fantastic. Wonderful presentation and fantastic stories that brought the history to life.

Response from Host, Apr 2023

Thank you! I'm so glad that you enjoyed the tour and very much appreciate the review, Cheers, Michael

Michael is very...

Milly_C, Mar 2023

Michael is very knowledgeable and made it a very fascinating tour! Highly recommend - whether you are interested in history or not!

Response from Host, Mar 2023

Thank you Milly! Really glad you enjoyed the tour, Michael

Great way to learn more about the very interesting history of our city.

Melanie_S, Mar 2023

We had a great tour. It was interesting and funny and our guide was very knowledgeable, even when we asked heaps of questions.

Response from Host, Mar 2023

Thanks Melanie. Really glad you enjoyed the tour. Much appreciated, cheers, Michael.

The 'Lolly shop' walking tour.

Paul_H, Feb 2023

Enjoyed the tour, Micheal was very knowledgeable and explained the 'going ons' of yesteryear with a passion. Which made for an interesting time for me. The 2 hours went very quickly. Nice one and thank you.

Response from Host, Feb 2023

Hi Paul, thanks for coming on the tour. Really glad you enjoyed it and I appreciate you taking the time to do a review, Cheers, Michael

Entertaining and informative Tour.

Merydyth_R, Jan 2023

I have a whole new appreciation for lolly shops, business and Australian history. Our thanks to Michael for sharing his amazing knowledge, research and passion for Melbourne’s historical characters and special locations. A great way to spend a couple of hours whether you are on holidays or a local resident.

Response from Host, Jan 2023

Thanks so much for the fantastic review. Really glad you enjoyed the tour, cheers, Michael

Thoroughly entertaining

Allison_C, Jan 2023

My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed the walking tour with Michael who was very passionate and knowledgeable about historical true crime in the city. Despite being locals and walking these streets regularly, it was great to learn more about the city we live in. We will definitely recommend this tour to friends and family.

Response from Host, Jan 2023

Thanks for the great review. Really glad you liked the tour and thank you for recommending to your friends and family, cheers, Michael

A great insight into early Melbourne.

Brendan_C, Dec 2022

Michael was very knowledgeable and entertaining. To find out a bit more about Melbourne's seedy past was great.

Response from Host, Dec 2022

Thanks for the review Brenda. Really glad you enjoyed the tour, cheers, Michael

Captivates the early 1900s underworld of Melbourne beautifully

Helen_T, May 2022

Michael is passionate about his history . He delivers a exceptional tour . We We’re Left feeling highly satisfied for such a low price !

Response from Host, May 2022

Thank you Helen. Really glad you enjoyed thetour, thanks, Michael

A great way to see a...

Warren_D, May 2022

A great way to see a specific period in Melbourne's history and learn of the dodgy characters that ruled. Our guide Michael was superb in bringing to life the events through his knowledge and passion. The included booklet was also a great addition allowing us to link places and individuals.

Response from Host, May 2022

Thank you Warren. Really glad you enjoyed the tour, Cheers, Michael

Fantastic information on...

leannelcondon, Apr 2022

Fantastic information on a part of the city I knew nothing about. Would recommend this tour to everyone.

Response from Host, Jun 2022

Thanks for the review. Glad you enjoyed the tour, Cheers, Michael.

Well worth the time for a great experience.

Elizabeth_G, Apr 2022

We booked in advance not really knowing what to expect, the morning prior we visited the museum that gave us a little prior knowledge of Little Lon. Michael has a depth of knowledge and no doubt is a leading authority on the history of the area, don't miss it..

Response from Host, Apr 2022

Thank you! Much appreciated, Michael.

Likely to Sell Out