
Old Stories of Melbourne's Chinatown
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September 2026
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Who is going?
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 5 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Old Stories of Melbourne's Chinatown worth booking?
Old Stories of Melbourne's Chinatown is a 2-hour experience in Melbourne, Australia, from $45 per person. It scores 63 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 5/5 rating across 5 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 63 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (5)
- Duration
- 2 hours
- From
- $45 per person
Come on an amazing trip back in time to Melbourne's Chinatown from c.1850s to the 1950s. Receive a free tour booklet with images of the characters discussed, original police-drawn crime maps, confiscated gambling paraphe
What you get
About this experience
Come on an amazing trip back in time to Melbourne's Chinatown from c.1850s to the 1950s. Receive a free tour booklet with images of the characters discussed, original police-drawn crime maps, confiscated gambling paraphernalia and other evidence from 100+ years ago. Hear the stories of police raids for opium, illegal gambling, and other lawbreaking activities. Hear stories of blackmail, gang war, and police corruption. Your tour guide has been researching Melbourne's Chinatown via the original police files for over 15 years and delivers the old stories from original source material. Opium, gambling, speakeasies, blackmail, riots, police corruption.
What's included
Included
- Professional Guide
- A free tour book containing photos of the characters discussed, police-drawn maps etc.
Not included
- Snacks
What you'll see and do
Chinatown
Melbourne's Chinatown is the longest continuous Chinese settlement in the Western world. A high percentage of the older buildings still exist and each has its stories.
120 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Melbourne
The tour leaves from the footpath tables of the Exford Hotel.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Returns to the starting point
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
- Wed, Thu, Sun
- 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
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 5 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
3 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Traveler reviews
5 verified traveler reviews for Old Stories of Melbourne's Chinatown. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Excellent Tour!
This tour was fascinating and incredibly well delivered and researched. Could not recommend highly enough! A great way to spend a Sunday afternoon!
via Tripadvisor
Great tour of China town,...
Great tour of China town, so much information, very descriptive, paints an amazing picture of the early days in this area!!! Thankyou!!!
Response from the operator: Thank you! Really glad you enjoyed the Chinatown tour, Cheers, Michael.
via Viator
An amazing China Town history tour
The knowledge & insights, the booklets, along with the original statements and reports, Michael presented were absolutely amazing. This is a must do tour of Melbourne's amazing China Town. Highly recommended.
via Tripadvisor
Chinatown tour - amazing!
Very informative tour.Michael is extremely knowledgeable in the subject and I look forward to reading his soon to be published book.
Response from the operator: Thank you. Really happy you enjoyed the tour, Much appreciated, Michael
via Tripadvisor
A must do for visitors and Melbournians alike!
A socio-cultural-deep-dive into the origins of the Chinese community and criminal underworld of Chinatown in the heart of Melbourne’s cbd. Michael takes you on a captivating journey of the mind as you step back in time walking Little Bourke Street and its many laneways and back-alleys, while viewing its many original original buildings (and finding out what happened inside), as you listen to the true (and sometimes tall) tales of iconic Chinese criminal figures and warring factions, corrupt and drunken constabulary, and the generally seedy underbelly of the area in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Michael’s remarkably well-researched historical knowledge, the intriguing, sometimes dark and often hilarious stories, and all the other juicy details of Chinatown’s past are laid bare. A must do for visitors and Melbournians alike!
Response from the operator: Thanks so much for the great review. Glad you enjoyed the Chinatown tour. Very much appreciated, thanks, Michael.
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
- Wed, Thu, Sun
- Price range
- $45 to $50
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 2
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Why this scores 63
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Old Stories of Melbourne's Chinatown: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Melbourne.
How much does Old Stories of Melbourne's Chinatown cost?
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Prices start at $45 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 Old Stories of Melbourne's Chinatown 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 Old Stories of Melbourne's Chinatown worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 63 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 5 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Melbourne, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Old Stories of Melbourne's Chinatown?
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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 Old Stories of Melbourne's Chinatown 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 Old Stories of Melbourne's Chinatown?
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Around 2 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 Old Stories of Melbourne's Chinatown 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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