Melbourne Historical Walking Tour: Crime, Gangsters & Lolly Shops
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.
Options
Melbourne Historical Walking Tour: Crime, Gangsters & Lolly Shops
What's included in Melbourne Historical Walking Tour: Crime, Gangsters & Lolly Shops
(Subject to Option Inclusions)Itinerary
Little Lon Distilling Co.
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.
Inclusions
- A tour booklet featuring photos of the characters discussed along the way.
- Please bring along your own food and drinks.
- 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
Meet
Pickup and Dropoff
You will make your own way to the meeting points
Meeting Points
- 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 Points
- The tour finishes at the corner of Lonsdale Street and Madame Brussels Lane.
Redeem
Ticket Redemption
The tour group meets at the Coopers Inn, 282 Exhibition St. Please try to get to the starting point 10 minutes before starting time, otherwise try contacting the host, Michael Shelford, on 0422 525 565. Most of the tour will be on streets without shade or shelter so please take this into consideration when planning for sun protection and inclement weather. It is a 2 hour walk so comfortable footwear is recommended. Although there are shops along the way it would be preferred if you could bring along your own snacks and drinking water if possible. We must inform you that the tour contains information regarding violent and potentially upsetting historical occurrences. It also includes references to prostitution and drug use. Some quotations which are read on the tour contain language which may be considered profane. Any children must be accompanied by a parent or responsible guardian. The tour finishes 1 block away at the corner of Little Lonsdale Street and Russell Street. The start and finish points are within Melbourne's CBD and are easily accessible by the tram, bus and railway network. The closest railway station is Parliament Station. See you there!