Dark Stories Brisbane's - True Crime Tour

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A 90-minute true crime walk from Brisbane City Hall through the old streets and lanes of the CBD, where brawlers, fraudsters and love triangles gone wrong left their mark. Your guide shows you which historic buildings were at the centre of it.

Days

About 90 minutes

Group size

Shared walking tour

Start / finish

Brisbane City Hall / Brisbane CBD

Return

See itinerary for details

Transport

On foot

Meals

No meals are listed as included

Route

Map of Dark Stories Brisbane's - True Crime Tour

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Included experiences

Brisbane City Hall — meet in King George Square
CBD streets — brawlers, fraudsters and outlaws of old Brisbane
Historic buildings and alleys — the crimes behind the facades
Love triangles — the cases that ended badly

Dark Stories Brisbane's - True Crime Tour

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

THE START: BRISBANE CITY HALL

Meet your guide at the front entrance of Brisbane City Hall in King George Square. It opened in 1930, and for decades its clock tower was the highest point in the city skyline. Behind the grand sandstone, Brisbane has a rougher past than it likes to admit. It began in 1825 as the Moreton Bay penal settlement, a place for convicts who had reoffended, and the free town that grew up after it had plenty of brawlers, fraudsters and outlaws of its own.

THE WALK: BRAWLERS, FRAUDSTERS AND LOVE TRIANGLES

Over about two kilometres your guide leads you through the city centre, past historic buildings and down alleys that look respectable now but have a darker story behind them. You hear about brawlers and con men, outlaws from the days when parts of the town were close to lawless, and love triangles that ended in crime. Most of the route is flat, with some stairs and a climb up a hill near the end. Mention it when you book if you need to avoid stairs.

THE FINISH: BACK IN THE CBD

After about 90 to 100 minutes the walk ends in the city centre, and you'll never walk past those buildings in the same way again.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Front entrance of Brisbane City Hall, King George Square (64 Adelaide Street), Brisbane.
Departure time: Tours run most Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, with extra dates in school holidays. Your start time is confirmed when you book.
Duration: About 90 to 100 minutes, covering roughly 2 km at an easy pace.
Fitness: Mostly flat, with some stairs and a hill near the end. The guide can change the route to avoid stairs if needed; mention it when you book.
Suits: Recommended for a mature audience, as the stories deal with real crimes.
Please note: Tours go ahead in nearly all weather. If the weather does force a change, you are told by text or email at least 90 minutes before the start.

What to bring

Comfortable walking shoes
A raincoat or umbrella

What is included

Guided true crime walking tour

Not included

Food and drinks
Transport to the meeting point

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

Do I need to take any medical supplies?

It is not necessary to bring any medical supplies other than any personal items you may require. Each tour carries a first aid box, and the tour guides are all certified in First Aid.

Do I need travel insurance?

Insurance is important in protecting visitors from loss or damange of goods, medical problems, cancelation by passengers or other casualties. Its highly recommended. Some tours on this website require you to have travel insurance. If you are Australian then it is not necessary.

Where can I get more information about this trip?

If you find that this tour page doesn't answer all your questions, then please get in contact with us! Our passionate team are always available to answer any queries you may have.

What immunisations do I need?

For the latest information on immunisations, we strongly recommend you or contact the Travellers Medical and Vaccination Centre (www.traveldoctor.com.au) to discuss health requirements for your trip. They will advise you about appropriate inoculations.

Will I be able to use my mobile whilst on tour?

You can use your mobile while touring in Australia or New Zealand, but coverage may be limited in remote areas. For best connectivity, consider purchasing a local SIM card or an international roaming plan.

How fit do I need to be?

These tours are designed to be fun, informative and active, and can be enjoyed by anyone with a moderate degree of fitness and agility. Travellers should be comfortable with hiking or walking up to 5km each day.

What should I pack?

Depending on where in Australia or New Zealand you decide to visit, your luggage will vary. For exact information please visit the "What to bring" section of each tour page.

Private tours and families

Is it possible to travel in a private group?

If you are looking for a private tour based on one of these trips, please contact us directly and we may be able to help. Over the years we have worked with families, groups of friends, schools, clubs and charities to put together the perfect trip.

Booking the trip

Does the tour price include flights?

No. Tour prices do not include any travel arrangements other than for the duration of the tour itself. If you need assistance with booking flights or buses our travel team and certainly help - Just ask!

How far in advance do I need to book my tour?

As a rule of thumb, try to book at least 2 weeks prior to departure, this will usually get you a seat on the date you want. That being said, we cannot guarantee that spaces will be available at the time of your booking so, if you can, book as soon as possible. Bookings can still be made right up until the departure date of the tour if seats are available. If you know when you'd like to travel, please contact us and we will let you know if you need to book soon or if you have time.

Do I have to book this tour online?

Definitely not. Our website is designed to make is easy and convenient for you to schedule your tour. However we understand sometimes its nice to talk to someone directly. So by all means give us a call and we can organise your trip over the phone.

If I book more than one tour can I get a discount?

Absolutely! If you are booking multiple tours then we may be able to offer you a discount. Send us an email at info@lostinaustralia.org and let us know what you thinking of doing and we can put together a price for you.Also, be sure to look out for monthly specials on tours. We often have some great bargains.

How do I know when a tour is available?

You can check the departure dates of tours by using our calendar on the top right hand corner of the tour page. This will tell you what days the tour departs. For availability of seats please contact us directly at info@lostinaustralia.org or call us.

If I make a deposit only, when will I need to pay the balance?

Balance on tours need to be paid at least 30 days prior to departure. Failure to do so could result is the cancellation of your seat with a fee charged. If you need more time to clear your balance then let us know ASAP and arrangements can be made.

Who travels with us

Is it ok to travel alone on one of these tours?

Plenty of travellers book these tours on their own. Solo travellers are very much welcomed and encouraged. During your outback adventure you'll meet new and interesting people and forge relationships that last a lifetime.Solo travellers will usually share a room with a travelling companion of the same sex, but even if you do get your own room you won't be charged extra. On camping tours there are generally enough tents available that you can have your own if you choose to.For more information please contact us directly.

Cost and Fees

Do I need to tip the guide?

If you had an amazing time on tour and wish to tip your guide, that is completely up to you. Tipping is not customary in Australia and is not at all expected.

Will I need additional money?

Travellers are advised to bring some cash, as ATMs and banks can be few and far between in the remote parts of the trip. It is handy to have some extra cash, as the tour does stop by local shops and cafes.

Are there any hidden fees I need to know about?

Our tour prices are completely transparent. There are no additional fees involved that are not included in the overall tour price shown. If you wish to do optional activities such as helicopter rides or wildlife safaris, then an extra cost may be needed. However, this will always be made clear at the time of your booking.

What does Paid Locally mean?

Some tours require you to pay national park fees directly, in cash, to the tour guide on the morning of departure. Rest assured this will be subtracted from the tour price when reserving your tour.

Whilst on tour

Can I book extra accommodation for the start and end of the tour?

We know our country inside and out and would be happy to give you good recommodations. Please contact us for recommendations.

Where do I meet the tour?

For pick-up times and locations, please check the "Start/Finish" section directly under the itinerary, which lists every pick-up point and its time.There is a lot of information there to help you plan your flights and arrival.Please review it carefully, as pick-ups can vary from tour to tour.