Images and Video
Chinatown True Crime Tour
Highlights
- Explore Melbourne's Chinatown from the 1850s to the 1950s, uncovering its rich history of crime and intrigue.
- Receive a free tour booklet featuring original police maps and crime evidence for a tangible connection to the past.
- Hear captivating tales of opium raids and gang wars, bringing to life the city's hidden stories of corruption.
- Join a knowledgeable guide with over 15 years of research, ensuring an authentic and engaging experience for all.
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.
Tour details
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Available from 26 October 2024 to 4 April 2026
Features
Service facilities
This business does not currently offer accessible facilities.
Operation information
Melbourne Historical Crime Tours
Join in a Melbourne true crime tour – created and hosted by writer and historian Michael Shelford as featured on ABC Radio, BBC Radio, SBS television Secrets of our Cities and numerous other radio and podcast shows. His true crime articles have been published in newspapers such as the Herald Sun and the Guardian along with various magazines.
Take a trip back to the early 1900s when Melbourne’s inner-city crime district was controlled by female syndicates, Fitzroy was home to Australia’s largest-ever gang war, and Melbourne’s Chinatown was targeted by police for illegal gambling and opium.
Night tours feature a handheld laser projector, used by your host to project images of the historical characters discussed onto the buildings and streets they once inhabited.
The two-hour walking tours take place every Saturday late morning (Melbourne CBD), Saturday afternoon in Collingwood, Sunday late morning (Fitzroy) and Sunday afternoon in Chinatown. There is also a Melbourne CBD night tour on the first Friday of each month.
Included as part of the tour is your own copy of the official tour booklet, which contains photos of the criminals discussed and other interesting information.
Please book online in advance via the website or on Facebook.
Tags
Memberships
- Victoria Tourism Industry Council