Fitzroy True Crime | Walking Tour

Right on the edge of Melbourne's CBD is Melbourne's oldest Suburb: Fitzroy.

In the early 1900's this locality was considered by Police to be "the home of Melbourne's criminals and the home of criminals generally". Fitzroy was also the home of a high percentage of Melbourne's low budget brothels and most of its sly grog shops (speak easies).

It was the only area of Melbourne considered so dangerous that police were directed to work the beat in duos after dark. Shortly after WWI Melbourne's criminal community split into 2 rival factions, sparking Australia's greatest ever gang war: the ‘Fitzroy Vendetta'.

The Fitzroy True Crime Tour takes you on a journey from the suburb's wealthy beginnings through to the heights of the gang war and its repercussions.

Tour guide Michael Shelford, shares insights gathered from original police files as he takes you past the former brothels, sly grog shops (speak easies) and crime dens of the era.

A 32-page tour booklet puts faces to the characters featured.

The Fitzroy True Crime Tour runs every Friday 2-4pm and Sunday 1-3pm