Melbourne Chinatown Tour: History of Opium and Gambling

Explore Melbourne’s Chinatown history with tales of opium, gambling, and police corruption. See original images and hear stories from 1850s-1950s.

Duration: 2 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Chinatown - Melbourne’s Chinatown holds the title of the longest continuously inhabited Chinese settlement in the Western world. Many of the historic buildings remain intact, each with its own unique story.
What's Included
  • Continuous visual presentation via handheld laser projector
  • Professional guide
What's Not Included
  • Snacks
Additional Information

Embark on an incredible journey through time to explore Melbourne’s Chinatown from the 1850s to the 1950s. Enjoy a complimentary tour booklet featuring images of the characters discussed, authentic police-drawn crime maps, seized gambling equipment, and other historical evidence from over a century ago. Discover tales of police raids targeting opium,…

Location
199 Russell St
Russell Street
The tour leaves from the footpath tables of the Exford Hotel.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(2 Ratings)
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1 star
438stefano
Dec 5, 2024
A must do for visitors and Melbournians alike! - A socio-cultural-deep-dive into the origins of the Chinese community and criminal underworld of Chinatown in the heart of Melbourne’s cbd. Michael takes you on a captivating journey of the mind as you step back in time walking Little Bourke Street and its many laneways and back-alleys, while viewing its many original original buildings (and finding out what happened inside), as you listen to the true (and sometimes tall) tales of iconic Chinese criminal figures and warring factions, corrupt and drunken constabulary, and the generally seedy underbelly of the area in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Michael’s remarkably well-researched historical knowledge, the intriguing, sometimes dark and often hilarious stories, and all the other juicy details of Chinatown’s past are laid bare. A must do for visitors and Melbournians alike!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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up to 15 guests
1 Adult
February 2025
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