Melbourne Historical Walking Tour: Crime, Gangsters & Lolly Shops | La Vacanza Travel

Melbourne Historical Walking Tour: Crime, Gangsters & Lolly Shops

Duration: 2 hours
Destination: Australia, Victoria, Melbourne
from
40.45

Check Availability

  • 2 hours
  • Melbourne
  • E-Voucher
  • Lowest Price
  • Not-Cancellable

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 Can You Expect?

Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

Stop At: Little Lon Distilling Co., 17 Casselden Pl, Melbourne Vic, Melbourne, Victoria 3000 Australia

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.

Duration: 10 minutes

Inclusions & Exclusions

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

Exclusions
  • Please bring along your own food and drinks.

Additional Info

  • 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
  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking

Departure Point

Departure Point

282 Exhibition St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia


Return Details

36 Lonsdale St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia

Duration & Voucher Info

Voucher info

You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.

Duration

2 hours

Cancellation Policy

User's Reviews

Barney_M

31 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

Lori_E

28 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!

X6622WYjodieh

20 Jan, 2024

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!

Kerrie_I

14 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.

Kiwijo066

05 Jan, 2024

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.

User's Picture Gallery

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Great Tour

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History and photography - what more could one ask for?

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Informative and interesting Australian history walking tour.

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10/10!

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Absolutely Amazing

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Worth the walk

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The 'Lolly shop' walking tour.

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IF IN MELBOURNE, DO THIS TOUR!

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Melbourne's seedy past

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A great insight into the history of thr Little Lonsdale district

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Riveting!!!

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Melbourne the past is fantastic

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