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Melbourne Historical Walking Tour: Crime, Gangsters & Lolly Shops
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Free cancellation
Up to 24 hours in advance. Learn More
2 Hours
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English
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.
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
Select a meeting point
End Point
The tour finishes at the corner of Lonsdale Street and Madame Brussels Lane.
What To Expect
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.
10 Minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- 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
Operated by Melbourne Historical Crime Tours
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
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
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