Melbourne Fitzroy: True Crime Walking Tour & Police Files

Summary

Walk Fitzroy’s old crime streets with real police stories and faces

You’ll walk Fitzroy’s backstreets with a local historian who brings Melbourne’s true crime tales to life using real police files. Expect gritty stories, surprising stops in former brothels or speakeasies, and your own booklet packed with rare photos. You’ll leave seeing Fitzroy—and maybe its people—a bit differently.

What’s the experience like?

You know that feeling when you’re standing in a place and it just buzzes with old secrets? That’s what hit me the second we turned off Brunswick Street and Michael, our guide, started talking about Fitzroy’s past. He held up this battered folder—actual police files from the 1890s—and suddenly all those brick terraces and faded signs felt different. There was this faint smell of coffee from somewhere (it is Melbourne), but Michael was telling us about sly grog shops and shootouts right where we stood. I tried to imagine the same street, but with horses clopping past instead of trams.

We ducked down a laneway that looked like nothing special until Michael pointed out a window—“That was once a brothel,” he said, almost casually. It made me look at every doorway twice after that. The wind picked up and rattled some old posters on the wall; someone in our group laughed nervously when he described a gangland murder that happened right there. I didn’t expect to feel so close to it all, honestly. We each got this little booklet with grainy photos of the people he talked about—faces you’d probably cross the street to avoid back then.

I kept thinking about how everyone here just walks past these places now, no idea what went down. Michael had this way of making it feel personal—he even knew which pub served as a police lookout (and yeah, we stopped outside for a minute). By the end, my feet were sore but my head was buzzing with all these stories. I still think about one woman’s photo in that booklet—her eyes were fierce, like she could see straight through you.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Fitzroy's historic crime district

• Join 2-hour walking tour
• Visit historic buildings and laneways
• Learn about old crime stories
• See former brothels and speakeasies
• Hear about gangland murders and shootouts
• Receive free booklet with photos

Top questions

How long is the Fitzroy True Crime Walking Tour?

The tour lasts around 2 hours.

Is the tour accessible for wheelchairs or strollers?

Yes, all areas are wheelchair accessible and infants can use prams or strollers.

Does the tour include any printed materials?

Yes, each participant gets a booklet featuring photos of characters discussed during the tour.

Who leads the Fitzroy crime walking tour?

The tour is led by writer and historian Michael Shelford.

Where does the Fitzroy True Crime Walking Tour take place?

The tour explores historic buildings and laneways in Fitzroy, on Melbourne's fringe.

Are service animals allowed on this walking tour?

Yes, service animals are allowed on the tour.

Can children join the Fitzroy crime walking tour?

Children can join but must be accompanied by an adult.

Is public transport available nearby?

Yes, regular trams run between Melbourne CBD and Fitzroy.

What’s included

Your experience includes a guided walk through Fitzroy’s historic crime district led by local historian Michael Shelford; along the way you’ll receive a printed booklet filled with original police file photos of notorious characters from 1890–1920s Melbourne to keep as your own piece of history.