Culture Quest Tours Melbourne Trouble Makers Tour

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A three-hour walk from the State Library to Smith Street in Fitzroy, told through Melbourne's troublemakers: criminals, union activists, hippies and artists. A local guide leads groups of no more than 12, and a coffee or drink at a pub with city views is part of the deal.

Days

About 3 hours

Group size

Max 12

Start / finish

State Library Victoria / Smith Street, Fitzroy

Return

See itinerary for details

Transport

On foot

Meals

One coffee or drink included

Route

Map of Culture Quest Tours Melbourne Trouble Makers Tour

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Included experiences

State Library and Old Melbourne Gaol — stories of the city's lawbreakers
Trades Hall — the union movement and its activists
Carlton Gardens — the story of Indigenous protest in Melbourne
Brunswick Street, Fitzroy — alternative pubs, vintage shops and street art
Fitzroy pub — a coffee or drink with views over the city
Smith Street — the walk ends among Fitzroy's cafés

Culture Quest Tours Melbourne Trouble Makers Tour

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Itinerary

Map

START: THE STATE LIBRARY AND THE OLD GAOL

You meet your guide outside the State Library Victoria on Swanston Street, and the first stories are about the people who broke the rules. Just up the hill stands the bluestone Old Melbourne Gaol, where 133 people were hanged, Ned Kelly among them in November 1880. Your guide tells who ended up inside, how they got there, and what the young city made of its criminals. It's a sharp contrast to the library next door, built in the same decade to make Melbourne look respectable.

TRADES HALL AND THE BOHEMIAN CITY

Next is Trades Hall on Lygon Street, home of Melbourne's union movement. In 1856 the city's stonemasons downed tools and won the eight-hour day, among the first workers anywhere to do it, and the hall has been the base for strikes and campaigns ever since. From there the walk moves through the bohemian edge of the city centre, where artists, activists, criminals and sex workers once lived side by side in cheap rooms and back lanes. Along the way you hear how Melbourne's gangs ran their patches and settled their scores.

CARLTON GARDENS

In the Carlton Gardens you stand in front of the Royal Exhibition Building, built for the 1880 International Exhibition, where Australia's first federal parliament opened in May 1901. It was World Heritage-listed in 2004. Here your guide turns to the story of Aboriginal protest in Melbourne, a city that has been the starting point for some of the country's longest campaigns for land and rights. It's a quieter stop under the elms and plane trees, and a chance to ask questions before the walk heads north-east into Fitzroy.

FITZROY: BRUNSWICK STREET

Fitzroy was Melbourne's first suburb, and for most of its life one of its poorest. Brunswick Street had a rough name for decades, then in the 1960s and 70s students, artists, migrants and hippies moved into its cheap terraces and turned it into the city's creative strip. Today it runs past alternative pubs, vintage shops, record stores, cafés and some of the city's biggest murals. Your guide explains how that counterculture shaped the suburb and the Melbourne you see now, and points out which walls are worth stopping for.

A DRINK WITH A VIEW, THEN SMITH STREET

Partway through Fitzroy you stop for a coffee or a drink, one of which is included, at a pub with views back over the city skyline. The walk then finishes on Smith Street, the dividing line between Fitzroy and Collingwood, where the coffee culture runs deep. You're not back at the State Library, and that's the point: many people stay on to browse the shops, find dinner or have another round in one of Fitzroy's bars before heading home.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: State Library Victoria, 328 Swanston Street, Melbourne. Your start time is confirmed when you book.
Finishes: Smith Street, Fitzroy, not back at the State Library.
Duration: About 3 hours, including the drink stop.
Fitness: A moderate city walk on footpaths and laneways, with some standing while your guide talks.
Suits: Travellers who want Melbourne's social history and street life rather than museums and landmarks.
Please note: Tours run in English, in groups of no more than 12.

What to bring

Comfortable walking shoes
Sunglasses and sunscreen
A layer for Melbourne's changeable weather

What is included

Guided walk with an experienced local guide
One coffee or drink at the pub stop

Not included

Food, and drinks beyond the one included
Transport back from Fitzroy

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

Reviews

5.0

Based on 1 review

Verified from

Real reviews from travellers who've done this tour, gathered from around the web and paraphrased.

How we collect and publish reviews

Where they come from. Our reviews are gathered from independent review sites and from guests who share feedback with us directly after their trip. They come from people who have actually travelled on the tour. Some longer trips are made up of shorter tours we also sell, run back to back — where a review was written about one of those legs, the review says so.

Why some are edited. Many of our guests travel in their second or third language. Where a review is hard to read, we lightly edit spelling, grammar and punctuation, or paraphrase a sentence for clarity. We never change the rating, the meaning or the sentiment, and we never write a review on a guest's behalf.

Reading the originals. Reviews sourced from public review sites appear there in their original form, and can be read in full at their original source at any time.

(5/5)

An amazing dark history tour with Ben, and I saw lots of great street art along the way.

Matt Dawson Verified· Travelled 6th October 2025

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