Revealing the secrets and stories of Paddington’s sensational past. A walking tour on the streets of Paddington.
- 2.5 hour small-group tour
- Finishing at The Royal Hotel, Five Ways
- Led by a local Crime Historian Guide
The Paddington we know today is a chic and sophisticated inner-city suburb with elegant rows of terrace houses, charming cafes, lively pubs and boutique shopping.
But rewind just half a century and you’ll find yourself in a very different world. A world of crime, murder, slums, sly-grog, burglary, gambling, rats, snakes, sewers, mysteries, misfits, hold-ups, drugs, raids, riots and revenge.
While the old-fashioned streets of Paddington remain much as they once were many generations ago, this tour revisits the rags that came before the recent riches. Delving into the forgotten lives of its former residents, we’ll dig up tales of vice and villainy that played out between the 1890s and the 1960s.
These were times when struggling tenants squished into decaying Victorian villas. Strange and sinister stories brewed behind closed doors and inside corner pubs. And newspaper articles summed up Paddington’s place in Sydney with shocking titles such as:
- “The House of Death”
- “Chased with an Axe”
- “I stabbed her — I love her”
- “Double killing at drink party”
Sunshine or rain, the tour will proceed as planned unless there is a severe weather warning in which case we will contact you to reschedule the tour. Don’t forget to wear comfortable shoes, sunglasses, a hat, sunscreen and/ or wet weather gear. A water bottle is also recommended.
About our guide Max Burns-McRuvie
- Max Burns-McRuvie is a Sydney historian and the director of Journey Walks. With over 15 years of experience, Max has created and led history and crime tours in cities like Sydney, Barcelona, and Amsterdam, focusing on uncovering urban underworlds, bringing true crime stories to life, and reviving colorful characters from the past.To back up his nerdiness: Max holds a Master of Museum and Heritage Studies from Sydney University, a Bachelor of English and History from the University of NSW, and Honours in European History from UVA (Amsterdam). His Master’s thesis explored the origins of Sydney’s tourism industry in the 19th century and the city’s emergence as an international travel destination
DATE: Thursday 20 March 2025
TIME: 10.30.am – 1.00pm. Please stay afterwards for a coffee at a nearby café if you are able
VENUE: Meet at 10.20am for 10.30am at Paddington Police Station: 16 Jersey road, Paddington. The tour finishes at Five ways Paddington where you can choose from a selection of venues for coffee/lunch.
COST: $33 per member
RSVP to. [email protected] Attn. Caren Trafford, Out N’ About Organiser, and wait for confirmation of a place before paying.
Places are limited. Please check there is still space before paying.
RSVP and PAY by: March 17, 2025
PAYMENT OPTIONS:
Payment Option 1 (Preferred):
By Credit Card through the Payments section of the website
Payment Option 2: Online (direct deposit) into the SWIC bank account
Account Name: SWIC Inc.
BSB No: 062-005
Account No: 11889493
