Melbourne Historical Walking Tour: Crime, Gangsters & Lolly Shops
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 Location
282 Exhibition Street
Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.
36 Lonsdale Street
Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
The tour finishes at the corner of Lonsdale Street and Madame Brussels Lane.
What To Expect
Book Online
Safe & secure Easy breezy Hassle‑free
Little Lon Distilling Co.
10 minutes Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Wheelchair accessible
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 20 travelers
Frequently Asked Questions (7)
Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Melbourne Historical Walking Tour: Crime, Gangsters & Lolly Shops?
Cancellation Policy
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Activity code: C-44202P3
Traveler Photos
Reviews
Average 4.97 out of 5 stars based on 155 traveler reviews collected by Cool Shore Excursions and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor
Additional Info
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Frequently Asked Questions (7)
The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from Cool Shore Excursions customers.
Filter by:
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
- Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (AEDT).
- A tour booklet featuring photos of the characters discussed along the way.
- Please bring along your own food and drinks.
The minimum age to participate is 16. This tour requires at least one adult to accompany children..
Apr 2025If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.
If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.
Apr 2025Accessibility information for the Melbourne Historical Walking Tour: Crime, Gangsters & Lolly Shops is as follows:
- Wheelchair accessible
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for Melbourne Historical Walking Tour: Crime, Gangsters & Lolly Shops will be included in your confirmation email from Cool Shore Excursions. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!
Mar 2024Once your refund is processed, it usually shows on your card statement within 5–10 business days. The exact timing depends on your bank or card issuer.
Want it sooner? When you cancel, choose Receive a refund to my wallet instead. The credit is in your Wallet straight away and is applied automatically at checkout on your next booking when you’re signed in with the same email. You can see your balance any time in My Wallet.
If you paid part of your booking with Wallet credit, that part always goes back to your Wallet. Trip protection isn’t refundable.
Oct 2026What's Included
- A tour booklet featuring photos of the characters discussed along the way.
- Please bring along your own food and drinks.
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Wheelchair accessible
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 20 travelers
