Highlights
- Step back in time to the 1850s and 1950s on a true crime pub crawl
- Explore Collingwood's dark past with true crime author Michael Shelford
- Visit 4 historic pubs and learn about the area's criminal history
- Hear stories of youth gangs, illegal gambling, and police corruption
- Enjoy the chance to buy a drink or a bite to eat at each venue
Description
Join a pub crawl through time, from the 1850s to the 1950s, with true crime author Michael Shelford. Travel back to a time when Collingwood’s streets were run by youth gangs known as 'larrikin pushes'. Discover when Collingwood was considered by police to be “the home of Melbourne’s criminals” and was also home to Australia’s largest illegal gambling enterprise known as John Wren’s Collingwood Tote.
Learn about youth gang wars, murder, shootings, cop bashings, illegal gambling, sly grog shops (speakeasies), corruption, and most importantly - booze. Visit four pubs in three hours, with a chance to buy a drink or a bite to eat at each venue.
Meet at the Birmingham Hotel and then it’s all downhill from there, literally. Visit the Birmingham Hotel, Albion Hotel, Bendigo Hotel, and the Yarra Hotel.
Includes
Guided tour with true crime author Michael Shelford
Visit to four historic pubs
Free tour booklet with photos of the characters discussed, old streetscapes, and crime scene maps from the original police files.
Excludes
Drinks and food at the pubs
Important Information
- The tour involves visiting premises licensed for alcohol.
Participants under 18 must be with a responsible adult.
Easy cancellation
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
