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Good Friday Appeal | Melbourne Royal Children's Hospital

Fri 7th Apr, 2023 Melbourne Melbourne
The fun-filled Kids Day Out is returning to MCEC, supported by City of Melbourne, this Good Friday! Enjoy a range of activities, including carnival rides, Classic Cars, a
FEATURED

Movie Club at Grattan House

Sat 25th Mar, 2023 Melbourne , Victoria
We are proud to be launching our Social Saturday Events at Grattan House, our Respite Accommodation in the city! Each month is a different theme, ranging from Desser
She'll Be Right: A Tradie Cabaret

Mon 17th Apr, 2023 Melbourne Melbourne
At The Butterfly Club, Winner Cabaret & Variety Weekly Award 2020 FRINGE WORLD
Celebrating ten years of 10 Great Books

Wed 5th Apr, 2023 Melbourne , Parkville
Melbourne’s favourite book club will return for its tenth year in 2023, with a new booklist and some exciting new features. From Tolstoy to Antigone, it'
Basement Jaxx (DJ Set) + Roger Sanchez Melbourne

Sun 9th Apr, 2023 Melbourne , Port Melbourne
Legendary electronic-music duo and favourites to Aussie shores, Basement Jaxx are finally making their way to Melbourne for their highly anticipated (
The Melbourne Fair

Sun 26th Mar, 2023 Melbourne , Melbourne
The Melbourne Fair is returning this March (Thursday 23rd March -Sunday 26th March) to turn Caulfield Racecourse into a treasure trove of Australia’s most unique pieces
Rowan Thambar - Melbourne Comedy Festival

Thu 30th Mar, 2023 Melbourne , Victoria
This is a show for people who want comedy that tastes like real comedy.
CIRCUS ROYALE

Fri 31st Mar, 2023 Melbourne , Victoria
For the very first time in its 52-year history, Circus Royale is coming to St Kilda waterfront, under the mighty state-of-the-art Big Top this school holiday season playi
Proponent Records Presents: Lost Memories Live @ Bar 303

Sat 25th Mar, 2023 Melbourne , Vic
Proponent Records proudly presents LOST MEMORIES LIVE. Join us for an unforgettable night at Northcote's famous Bar 303.

Melbourne: Gangsters, Brothels and Lolly Shops Tour

8 Reviews

Tours Culture & history Walking tours Wheelchair accessible

Explore Melbourne’s former red-light and slum district known as 'Little Lon'. Learn of the women who ran the area and their battles against gangsters & police. C.1850s-1940s.

Highlights

Explore the streets and alleys of Melbourne's former slum & brothel district
Stop outside the former home of Australia's most famous gangster Squizzy Taylor
Discover buildings which were 'houses of ill-fame' 100 years ago
See former opium dens and cocaine cafes and learn about the people who frequented these premises
Visit the last remaining single storey cottage in Melbourne's back lanes

Description

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 circa 1850s-1940s, 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 (speakeasies), and hear the stories of what occurred within their walls and on the streets and laneways around them. You can also see examples of former opium dens and all night cocaine cafes, and learn of the characters who frequented these establishments. You will hear of shootings, bombings, bashings, brothels, robberies, opium, cocaine and sly grog (speakeasies), on a tour designed and delivered by writer and historian, Michael Shelford.