Melbourne Historical Walking Tour: Crime, Gangsters & Lolly Shops

Melbourne’s history is filled with intriguing stories, and the ‘Melbourne Historical Walking Tour: Crime, Gangsters & Lolly Shops’ promises to uncover the city’s notorious past. Led by an expert guide, this two-hour exploration delves into the shadowy operations of gangsters, brothels, and speakeasies that once thrived on Lonsdale Street. Participants will discover the hidden tales of infamous figures like Squizzy Taylor, while also exploring how seemingly innocent lolly shops served as drug fronts. With captivating narratives and a visual booklet, this tour offers a unique glimpse into the city’s gritty underworld.

This experience made our list of the 20 Best Walking Tours In Melbourne.

Key Points

• This 2-hour walking tour explores the gangster past of Melbourne, focusing on Lonsdale Street and the infamous criminal activities from the 1870s to the 1930s.

• The tour guide, Michael Shelford, provides engaging narratives about notorious gangsters like Squizzy Taylor and their involvement in extortion, gambling, and drug operations.

• Participants will learn about the hidden histories of brothels and speakeasies that thrived in the lawless district of ‘Little Lon,’ as well as the role of lolly shops as fronts for drug dealing.

• The tour includes a booklet with character photos to enhance the visual understanding of the city’s darker realities during this period and the cultural impact of these gangsters.

• The tour is wheelchair and stroller accessible, with a maximum group size of 20 to ensure a personalized and educational experience, as evidenced by the consistently positive reviews.

Tour Overview

The Melbourne Historical Walking Tour is a 2-hour exploration of the city’s gangster past, focusing on the Lonsdale Street area.

The tour starts at the Coopers Inn Hotel and ends at the corner of Lonsdale Street and Madame Brussels Lane.

With 85 reviews, a Badge of Excellence, and a 5.0 rating, the tour provides a well-researched and engaging narrative from knowledgeable guide Michael Shelford.

Participants can expect to learn about infamous gangsters, brothels, speakeasies, and how lolly shops served as fronts for drug operations from the 1870s to the 1930s.

The tour is wheelchair and stroller accessible, and the maximum group size of 20 ensures an intimate experience.

Historical Insights

Participants on the Melbourne Historical Walking Tour explore downtown Melbourne’s gangster past, focusing on the notorious Lonsdale Street. They’ll discover the city’s seedy underbelly, from the brothels and speakeasies of the 1870s to the 1930s, and learn about infamous gangsters like Squizzy Taylor who ruled the ‘Little Lon’ slum. The tour also highlights how lolly shops served as fronts for drug operations during this era. To enhance the experience, the tour provides a booklet with photos of the discussed characters, allowing guests to visualize the events of the past.

Gangster Past Explored	Notorious Lonsdale Street
Brothels and Speakeasies	1870s to 1930s
Infamous Gangsters	Squizzy Taylor, ‘Little Lon’ Slum
Lolly Shops as Drug Fronts	Historical Narratives
Booklet with Character Photos	Visualize the Past

Gangster Past of Lonsdale Street

Lonsdale Street was the epicenter of Melbourne’s notorious gangster underworld, where brothels, speakeasies, and illicit drug operations thrived from the 1870s through the 1930s.

Infamous criminals like Squizzy Taylor roamed these streets, making their fortunes through extortion, gambling, and bootlegging.

The slum of ‘Little Lon‘ was especially notorious, with its maze of alleyways and dive bars providing cover for the city’s most nefarious characters.

Surprisingly, many of these criminal enterprises operated under the guise of seemingly innocuous lolly shops, which served as fronts for drug dealing and other illicit activities.

The tour delves into the dark history of this era, shedding light on the seamier side of Melbourne’s past.

Brothels and Speakeasies

Brothels and speakeasies thrived along Lonsdale Street during the 1870s to 1930s, providing cover for the city’s seamier underbelly. Patrons could find illicit entertainment and substances in these clandestine establishments, which operated in the shadows of Melbourne’s notorious gangster past.

The tour explores the hidden histories of these shady venues, from the opulent brothels that catered to the city’s elite, to the secretive speakeasies that sold illegal liquor during Prohibition. Guests will learn how these businesses thrived by cultivating connections with influential figures and exploiting legal loopholes.

The walking tour offers a captivating glimpse into Melbourne’s underworld, shedding light on the dark realities that lurked beneath the city’s public face.

Infamous Gangsters and ‘Little Lon’

Infamous gangsters like Squizzy Taylor once roamed the slum of ‘Little Lon,’ a lawless district in downtown Melbourne that gained notoriety for its poverty, vice, and criminal activity.

This gritty neighborhood was a hotbed for brothels, speakeasies, and other illicit establishments during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Taylor, one of the city’s most notorious crime bosses, wielded significant power and influence in this underworld, leading a gang that engaged in extortion, drug trafficking, and violent turf wars.

The tour delves into the sordid history of ‘Little Lon,’ shedding light on the shadowy figures and clandestine operations that once thrived in this forgotten corner of Melbourne’s past.

Lolly Shops as Drug Fronts

Along With the shadowy brothels and speakeasies, lolly shops throughout the area also served as fronts for illicit drug operations during this era. These seemingly innocent candy stores provided the perfect cover for drug dealers to sell their wares. Authorities often struggled to untangle the web of criminal activity hidden behind the alluring displays of sweets.

Lolly Shop Drug Fronts
Disguised Operations	Candy Store Fronts
Evading Law Enforcement	Hidden Illicit Trade
Shadowy Underworld	Sweet Facade
Tangled Criminal Webs	Lucrative Business

The tour explores how these lolly shops acted as hubs for the darker side of Melbourne’s past, providing insight into the complex and fascinating history of the city.

Tour Features and Inclusions

The Melbourne Historical Walking Tour offers a range of features and inclusions to enhance the participant experience.

Knowledgeable guide Michael Shelford provides well-researched narratives that captivate both locals and travelers with a blend of humor and historical facts.

Participants receive a tour booklet containing photos of the discussed characters, allowing them to delve deeper into the city’s gangster past and the illicit operations hidden behind the facades of lolly shops.

The tour is limited to a maximum of 20 travelers, ensuring an intimate experience. It’s also wheelchair and stroller accessible, with easy access to public transportation.

The tour’s positive reviews and the guide’s in-depth knowledge make this a must-do experience for anyone interested in Melbourne’s intriguing underworld history.

Participant Feedback and Booking Info

Guests consistently report engaging and informative experiences on the Melbourne Historical Walking Tour, with Michael Shelford’s captivating storytelling captivating both locals and travelers alike. Reviews highlight the blend of humor and historical facts, with one visitor describing the tour as "an absolute must-do for anyone interested in Melbourne’s gritty past." Another remarked, "Michael’s passion for the subject matter was infectious, and I learned so much I never knew about the city." The tour also offers free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance, ensuring flexibility for participants.

Booking Information
Price	From $34.05	Lowest Price Guarantee
Cancellation Policy	Free Cancellation Up To 24 Hours Before Tour
Group Size	Maximum 20 Travelers	Ensures Intimate Experience
Accessibility	Wheelchair & Stroller Accessible	Near Public Transportation

Frequently Asked Questions

Are There Any Discounts or Special Offers Available?

The tour offers a lowest price guarantee, so customers can be confident they’re getting the best available rate. Plus, free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the tour for added flexibility.

What Items Are Allowed to Be Brought on the Tour?

Participants are encouraged to bring their own food and drinks on the tour. Service animals are also allowed. The tour has received positive feedback for its depth of research and engaging presentation.

Can the Tour Accommodate Dietary Requirements or Restrictions?

The tour can accommodate dietary requirements or restrictions. Participants are encouraged to bring their own food and drinks, including items to suit specific dietary needs. The guide will work to ensure all guests have an enjoyable experience.

Is the Tour Suitable for Children or Families?

The tour may not be suitable for children or families, as it focuses on the historical crime and gangster elements of the city. However, the maximum group size of 20 suggests an intimate experience suitable for mature audiences.

Does the Tour Company Offer Any Other Tours or Experiences?

The tour company offers a range of other walking tours, including an Old Melbourne Ghost Tour and a CBD Street Art Tour. They provide diverse historical and cultural experiences for visitors to explore the city.

Recap

This intriguing walking tour takes participants on a journey through Melbourne’s notorious past, uncovering the city’s seedy underbelly of gangsters, brothels, and speakeasies.

Led by an expert guide, the tour explores the infamous Lonsdale Street and its shadowy operations, while also examining how lolly shops served as drug fronts.

With captivating narratives and a visual booklet, this unique experience offers a fascinating glimpse into Melbourne’s dark historical legacy.