Surry Hills Crime Scene Walking Tour

A Gentle Two-Hour Walking Tour

If you are looking for the full-length three-hour version of this tour, click here.


Surry Hills Crime Scene Walking Tour

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.


What you will see on the Surry Hills Crime Scene Walking Tour

Before the cool cafes and trendy bars began to appear, this inner-city suburb was known for sly grog, illegal gambling, prostitution and the drug trade. The old push gangs of Sydney fought fierce battles for control of the streets. All this will be revealed to you on the tour.

You will investigate a cold-case murder from the 1920s using actual crime scene evidence. See the old pub that started the Crown Street Riot of 1890, where more than 200 thugs destroyed everything in sight. Learn the forgotten, tragic history of the African-American Servicemen placed in Surry Hills during WWII. Hear of the gang war that formed in the 1940s as the crooks murdered each other in a battle for the lucrative market to sell vice to the US Servicemen. Uncover the forgotten Cocaine Queen of Sydney and see the home and final sly grog shop of the notorious Kate Leigh, Queen of the Sydney underworld.


About the Tour

Tours start at Central Railway Station on most Saturdays at 11:00 a.m. They run approximately 2 hours.

If you are interested in booking a group tour for ten or more people (mid-week dates available), email elliot@murdersmostfoul.com or call 0431922619.





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Glenda profile picture
Glenda
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Balmain: Rust, Radicals and Razors. I was blown away by, and totally mesmerised by the history and knowledge that Elliott forwarded onto all of us. The best walking tour I've ever been on.
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Ray Welling profile picture
Ray Welling
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Deep knowledge on display - who knew so many people were murdered in Balmain? Thanks for an entertaining session, Lindsey!
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Rosanna Marsella profile picture
Rosanna Marsella
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Adam Grossetti lead our tour through the streets of Potts Point and surrounds. He was very knowledgeable and presented in a easy and engaging way. After watching his 3 part series, this tour highlighted the connection between The Black Hand in Queensland and events in Sydney's underworld. Highly recommend!
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Andrew profile picture
Andrew
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This walking tour was a memorable and highly worthwhile experience. Elliot is remarkably well-informed about the fascinating history of inner Sydney. His passion for his subject is inspiring. I now find myself looking at Surry Hills in an entirely new way.
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Judith Croft profile picture
Judith Croft
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Great tour. Elliot is easy to listen to and knows what he is talking about. He makes it so interesting and as I did it with a group he gave more detail on our area of interest.
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Paul Miller profile picture
Paul Miller
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The Balmain walk was fascinating, standing on the spot of some pretty gruesome crimes. Elliott is very knowledgeable and the photos were helpful to visualise what the area was during the periods being described.
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Christina Rose profile picture
Christina Rose
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The best price walking in Sydney. 100% satisfaction. Cancellation policy is top tier. If you need to. I can’t wait to do them all. Elliot is the goat. Just finished the tour with Adam Grosetti and the black hand gang. Another great and interesting voyage through the Italian deep crime connection and the QLD canecutters. Highly recommended. Well done Adam. Can’t wait for the book Elliot. It’s gonna be amazing.
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Peter O'Brien profile picture
Peter O'Brien
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Great guide, fascinating history. Do yourself a favour and explore Sydney!
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Richard Bromley profile picture
Richard Bromley
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We did the 2 Hour walk on 03/05/2025. The history and the stories that Elliot shared with us was great. He even keeps you in the story process as to guess the outcome. His knowledge and Photos throughout the walk, 2nd to none. Would highly recommend this tour. Thank You Elliot.
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Kris Isemonger profile picture
Kris Isemonger
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Spent a fascinating three hours walking Surry Hills with Elliot, an incredible storyteller who brought the area’s pub culture and past vividly to life. I knew very little about this side of Sydney, and suddenly the streets were full of characters, history and colour. Informative, entertaining and eye‑opening — I’ll never walk Surry Hills the same way again.

Sydney True Crime Monthly

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