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.

Minimum booking of 2

Duration

2.5 Hours

Expect:

But rewind less than 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” “Men drugged and robbed in Kate Leigh’s house” “Squealing rats and rolling tins” “Two-up school in disused bakery” “A mystery of spontaneous combustion” “The pangs of poverty” “The plague in Paddington” “The Oxford Street Python” “An old friend of Ned Kelly” “Thieves’ amazing climb” “The Kid Bandit robs again” …and many, many more.

Tour Info

• 2.5 hour small group tour experience.
• Covering approximately 20 local stops.
• Exploring Paddington's back lanes, leafy streets, historic pubs, hidden houses, ruins, quarries, parks, court houses and secret cafes.
• Focussing on the true crime history and colourful characters of the notorious neighbourhood between the late 19th century and 1960s.
• Tour begins at Edgecliff Station and finishes at The Royal Hotel at Five Ways for an optional drink and chat.
• Operating rain, hail or shine. Make sure to wear weather appropriate clothing.
• Recommended for adults only.

Note: this tour deals with some traumatic true crime incidents including murders, suicide and crimes against children. Its content may not be appropriate for everyone. Fore more information please contact us.