
Melbourne Historical Walking Tour: Crime, Gangsters & Lolly Shops
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September 2026
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Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 148 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Melbourne Historical Walking Tour: Crime, Gangsters & Lolly Shops worth booking?
Melbourne Historical Walking Tour: Crime, Gangsters & Lolly Shops is a 2-hour experience in Melbourne, Australia, from $20 per person. It scores 85 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Exceptional”, based on a 5/5 rating across 148 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 85 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (148)
- Duration
- 2 hours
- From
- $20 per person
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 e
What you get
About this experience
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
Included
- A tour booklet featuring photos of the characters discussed along the way.
Not included
- Please bring along your own food and drinks.
What you'll see and do
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 here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Melbourne
We meet at the Coopers Inn Hotel, 282 Exhibition St, Melbourne CBD. The Coopers has great food, drink, and a friendly Australian pub atmosphere.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
The tour finishes at the corner of Lonsdale Street and Madame Brussels Lane.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Melbourne Historical Crime Tours
Know before you go
- 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
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 147 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
10 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
The guide
4 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Traveler reviews
147 verified traveler reviews for Melbourne Historical Walking Tour: Crime, Gangsters & Lolly Shops. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
A fascinating history lesson.
Very informative tour of the early 20th century crime scene in the Lonsdale St area. Michael's extensive research and clear delivery ensured a factual and fascinating experience. Would recommend to all visitors.
via Tripadvisor
Fascinating tour with a great storyteller guide!
Wonderful tour with lots of interesting information. The guide is a great storyteller and I enjoyed learning about the little known past of my home city. Highly recommend!!
via Viator
Strong women in charge
Michael has done a lot of research. The historical stories are entertaining and informative. This walk involves stories about women in the 'slum area' and how they survived and adapted their business model to survive over many years.
via Viator
A great experience!
AMAZING!! We learnt so much about the crime history of the tiny little district of Lonsdale Street. Our guide had so much knowledge from years and years of his own research and told the stories in such a fun way, bringing the people and spaces to life through projected images. It would be hard to know the full extend of the stories without jumping on the tour, and we wouldn't have found many of the buildings without the help of a guide. Highly recommend for anyone with an interest in history and crime.
via Tripadvisor
Walking tour with a friend
Michael was great very informative and knew a lot. As a person that lives in Melbourne I learnt a lot of things I didn’t know and had fun
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 2 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat
- Price range
- $20 to $50
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 52
- Verdict
- Exceptional
Why this scores 85
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Melbourne Historical Walking Tour: Crime, Gangsters & Lolly Shops: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Melbourne.
How much does Melbourne Historical Walking Tour: Crime, Gangsters & Lolly Shops cost?
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Prices start at $20 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Melbourne usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Melbourne Historical Walking Tour: Crime, Gangsters & Lolly Shops take?
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Plan for about 2 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Melbourne is not rushed.
Is Melbourne Historical Walking Tour: Crime, Gangsters & Lolly Shops worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 85 out of 100, which we label "Exceptional". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 148 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable most highly reviewed in Melbourne, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Melbourne Historical Walking Tour: Crime, Gangsters & Lolly Shops?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Melbourne Historical Walking Tour: Crime, Gangsters & Lolly Shops suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 2-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Melbourne Historical Walking Tour: Crime, Gangsters & Lolly Shops?
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Around 52 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Melbourne can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Melbourne and add a light layer if any part of the 2-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Melbourne Historical Walking Tour: Crime, Gangsters & Lolly Shops start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Melbourne within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Melbourne?
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On Outty we rank every Melbourne experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Melbourne: Yarra Valley Wine, Gin, Whisky and Chocolate Tour, Yarra Valley Wine Tour w Exclusive Gin, Cider & Chocolate Tasting, Yarra Valley Wine Tour from Melbourne - Choc, Gin & Good Times. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Melbourne?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Melbourne?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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