Melbourne Dark History Walking Tour: Explore Crime, Gangsters and 'Little Lon' Era
5.0
80 Ratings
Melbourne
Uncover the dark and intriguing history of Melbourne on a walking tour led by writer and historian Michael Shelford. Explore the crime, gangsters, and 'Little Lon' era of the city, filled with shootings, bombings, brothels, and more.
Duration:
2 hours
Cancellation:
1 day
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Highlights
- 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.
What's Included
- Tour booklet with character photos
What's Not Included
- Please bring along your own food and drinks.
Additional Information
Join us as we delve into Melbourne’s history, navigating through the years when a corner shop offered much more than just candies and fizzy drinks. Discover the city’s shadowy past from the 1870s to the 1930s, a time when Melbourne’s downtown poorer quarters, known as ‘Little Lon’, were majorly controlled by women. Understand the struggle for power, the brave ladies who held their own against notorious thugs like Squizzy Taylor, and a female-led crime ring called ‘The Combine’. We will stop in front of buildings that were once houses of ill-repute and illegal bars, while listening to the tales of the happenings inside these edifices and the surrounding streets and alleys.
Violent encounters, explosions, assaults, houses of ill-repute, thefts, opium, cocaine, and unlawful bars.
This journey into the past is designed and guided by author and historian, Michael Shelford.
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
Location
282 Exhibition St
Exhibition Street
We meet at the Coopers Inn Hotel, 282 Exhibition St, Melbourne CBD. The Coopers has great food, drink, and a friendly Australian pub atmosphere.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(80 Ratings)
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967dales
May 5, 2024
The dark side of marvellous Melbourne - A highly entertaining (and informative) guided tour of a small area of Melbourne city. The walk was easy and there were plenty of stops to look at a variety of buildings. Michael was an excellent tour guide with a relaxed manner. Nothing about the tour was rushed (or dull) and Michael was obviously knowledgeable with a real love of the material which came through in the mix of colourful characters he told us about.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Suzies1
May 5, 2024
Little Lon comes alive! - We really enjoyed our tour with Michael. He certainly knows our early history here in Melbourne. We enjoyed hearing stories about the early days of Little Lon.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Barney_m
Mar 31, 2024
Well worth it - 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
Review provided by Viator
Lori_e
Jan 28, 2024
Great experience - 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!
Review provided by Viator
X6622wyjodieh
Jan 20, 2024
So informative - What a fabulous way to spend 2 hours learning so much about the history of Melbourne's slum district and the colourful characters who lived and worked in the area 100+ years ago. Michael is so well researched and obviously passionate about this fascinating time in our history. I am a local Melbournian and have learnt so much. Thank you Michael - looking forward to doing your Fitzroy tour soon!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kerrie_i
Jan 14, 2024
Interest & Intrigue. The darker side of Melbourne's past. - 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.
Review provided by Viator
Kiwijo066
Jan 5, 2024
Great Tour - An excellent and informative tour. Mike did a fabulous job. It was easy to hear him and the information he shared was interesting. We really enjoyed our experience.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kyliegr9721vl
Dec 31, 2023
Great walking tour - Michael was a very good guide. He knew the subject very well and presented with so much passion. I really enjoyed it and learned a lot. Thank you Michael
Review provided by Tripadvisor
James_b
Apr 22, 2024
Informative - 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.
Review provided by Viator
Racheal_j
Dec 31, 2023
Melbourne history bought to life - 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.
Review provided by Viator
