A True Crime Surry Hills Adventure

On this not-so-typical walking tour, you will meander through dark alleys and winding lanes, exploring the dark history of Sydney’s Surry Hills. You will investigate the ghastly crime scenes of eight historical murders committed between 1880 and 1945. They took place in the old terraces, dark alleys and iconic street corners that your guide will take you to. You will stand at the exact spot where the bodies were found and walk around the old detectives' crime scene.

Some of the cases exclusive to Murders Most Foul include.

• The Case of the Silk Stocking Strangler
• The Murder of the Woolloomooloo Rose
• The Crown Street Horror

Why Surry Hills?

What You Can Also Expect On This Tour

This is our full length walking adventure tour that will take you across the entire suburb of Surry Hills. You will learn about the suburb's history, geography and what the environment was like before it was settled. 

Furthermore, you will:

• Investigate a cold-case murder from the 1920s using actual crime scene evidence and new insights. You will walk away feeling pretty confident that you have identified the TRUE killer who got away with murder.
• Discover the stomping grounds of Sydney's colourful gangs from the 1890s and see the iconic street where 200 members of the notorious Gipps Street Push went on a murderous rampage against its rival gangs.
• Discover Sydney's colonial morgues and discover why beer and autopsies typically went hand in hand during our first one hundred years of settlement.  

The Case Files 

Your tour ticket price includes a complimentary copy of the 'Murders Most Foul: Surry Hills Case Files e-Book'. The book contains actual police evidence, crime scene photography, witness reports, newspaper articles and coroner’s reports for each case. With the help of your guide, you will use the evidence to piece together clues and reconstruct old crime scenes. Best of all, you get to take it home in the end. 

The Royal Albert Hotel

The tour ends at the Royal Albert Hotel on Reservoir Street and Commonwealth Street. 

Elliot, will typically sit with you and share some tales about the pub and its notorious past patrons. It is also a good opportunity to ask further questions and share some of your own stories with like minded individuals.      

A True Crime Discovery Walk

On this not-so-typical walking tour, you will meander through dark alleys and winding lanes, exploring the dark history of Sydney’s Surry Hills. You will investigate the ghastly crime scenes of historical murders committed between 1820 and 1930. They took place in the old terraces, back lanes, and iconic street corners. You will stand at the exact spot where the bodies were found and wander around the old detectives' crime scene.

Some of the once sensational crime scenes to be revealled are: 

• The Sophia Street Mystery

• The Crown Street Horror

• The Golden Fleece Riot

Why Surry Hills?

Before the cool cafes and trendy bars began to appear, this inner-city suburb was known for its slums, sly grog, illegal gambling, prostitution, the drug trade and murder. The area was developed between 1840 and 1890 and the architecture has remained for the most part unchanged. Very few places in Sydney are so rich with history and heritage. 

What to expect on the tour.  

• Investigate a cold-case murder from the 1920s using actual crime scene evidence and new insights. You will walk away feeling pretty confident that you have identified the actual killer who got away with murder.

• Be introduced to the long-forgotten third queen of Sydney's underworld. She rivalled Kate Leigh for control of Surry Hills, poisoned many of Tilly Devine's sex workers, and was considered too extreme for the Underbelly tv series.

• Observe Sydney's most incredible colonial architecture

• And much more.

The Case Files 

Your tour ticket price includes a complimentary copy of the Murders Most Foul: Surry Hills case files e-book. This book contains actual police evidence, crime scene photography, witness reports, newspaper articles and coroner’s reports for each case. With the help of your guide, you will use the evidence to piece together clues and reconstruct old crime scenes. Best of all, you get to take it home as a souvenir.

Ye old hotel

The tour ends near the 140 year old Dove & Olive Hotel on Devonshire street. Stay for lunch or catch the light rail back to Central, Town Hall, Wynyard, Circular Quay or Randwick. 

Darlinghurst is one of Australia’s oldest and most notorious inner-city suburbs. Most people know it for Oxford Street, the Sydney LGBT Mardi Gras and the bars and nightclubs, but beyond that, it is shrouded in mystery. For much of its history, Darlinghurst was synonymous with sex, drugs and murder. Known as Razorhurst in the roaring 1920s, it was the centre of the violent razor gang wars. For over 100 years, the alleys and laneways teemed with prostitutes, dope dealers, and thugs. If the walls of the old corner pubs could speak, the stories they could tell would send shivers down your spine.

This tour will turn whispered myths and legends into reality.

You will explore the mysterious back lanes, alleys and streets while... 

• Investigating the historical crime scenes of several horrifying murders, including ‘The Mutilator’ murders of the 1960s, committed by William Macdonald, arguably Australia's most disturbed serial killer. In each case, the narrative will develop as you walk from location to location. View real crime scene photos.
• Stand before the old homes of Sydney’s infamous vice queens, Kate Leigh and Tilly Devine. 
• Stroll along the battlegrounds of the old push gangs (1880s-1910s), razor gangs (1920s-1930s) and the heroin gangs of the Blue Murder series (1970s to 1990s).
• Discover the lost history of the segregated African American soldiers during World War Two and see where their hip jazz and swing clubs once stood.
• See the original "Little Italy."
• See the old streets, lanes, parks and brothels where Sydney's sex markets operated for over 100 years.
• Experience the old Darlinghurst gaol where several of the characters introduced in the tour where “hurled into eternity” on the end of a rope. 
• See the old beats and hook up spots, including ‘the wall’ where the rent boys were once found.  
• And learn about crime and punishment on the streets from the tough old cops like Roger Rogerson and Bumper Farrell.

You will also be introduced to exquisite Victorian and Edwardian architecture and style and enter and explore the peaceful Hayden Lane community garden (and learn of its incredible past). 

It will finish at Kinselas Hotel on the world famous Taylor Square (minutes from buses and trains) set in a 1930s funeral parlour. Come in for refreshments, lunch and explore Oxford Street after.   

**Warning** This tour covers subjects that may not suitable for people under 15 years of age. Parental discretion is advised.