Sydney Secret Laneways History Walking Adventure
Be guided by a qualified historian and archaeologist on a 3-hour history walking adventure of Surry Hills. Starting at Central Station you will explore the history of Sydney’s “trendiest” suburb famous for its network of secret laneways, alleys and back streets.
About the Sydney Secret Lane ways history walking Adventure
Approximately 3 Hours
A gentle walking tour of one of Sydney’s oldest neighbourhoods for those who want to avoid the tourist traps, explore back streets and see where the locals eat, drink and play. Surry Hills is today considered the coolest village in Sydney.
Please note the first two hours of this tour is our Surry Hills Crime History Walking Tour.
Fashionable Today
Surry Hills is one of the oldest neighbourhoods in Sydney and is considered by TimeOut to be the coolest neighbourhood in Sydney Surry Hills is made up of a network of winding little alleys, laneways and beautiful cobble-stoned streets, all lined with stunning architecture dating back to the 1830s.
The most feared Suburb in Sydney
Until the late 1980s, Surry Hills was perhaps the most feared and misunderstood urban community in Australia. The myths and legends of what took place in the dilapidated cottages, dark alleys and abandoned factories were strong enough to scare away most Sydneysiders. Tales and rumours of old graveyards, underworld battles, razor gangs, drug dens, horrific murders, prostitution, syringe-littered alleys, cut-throat bandits and psychotic nazi skin-heads, still persist to circulate.
It was all true.
Your guide will take you on a journey through the back streets of historical Surry Hills and show you exactly where it all happened. Discover the old Devonshire Street graveyard. Investigate the 1920s cold case murder. See the houses that were once old brothels, opium dens, sly-grog shops, horrific crime scenes and the homes of violent gangsters (today they are lived in by millionaires). Learn about the African American servicemen who were segregated during WW2 when Surry Hills was part of ‘Little Harlem.” See the old pubs where gangsters once killed each other over a glass of beer. Did you know Sydney had a bombing problem? See the houses that were bombed after WW1.
Then you will go on the most enchanting historical laneway tour in Sydney where you will feel like you are walking through a ‘Harry Potter’ film set. Your guide will tell you fascinating stories along the way. You will also see the studio of Sydney artist, Brett Whittley and hear his amazing story. See the house where two brothers who escaped the Holocaust settled and made boots for The Beatles. Re-discover the old Crown Street Women’s Hospital. Then descend into the infamous Frog Hollow, which once was found Australia’s most dangerous slum.
Real history
You have seen the sanitised history textbook tours around The Rocks and the city centre. Now have an authentic Sydney history experience. This tour is not just a crime tour, it is a social history telling the stories of actual historical residents dating back 180 years.
You will discover the hippest cafes, cocktail bars, restaurants and pubs that you will definitely want to return to.
Why choose this Surry Hills Walking Adventure?
Some of the Unique Surry Hills locations you will explore
McElhone Place (Cat Alley)
This is one of the oldest and most attractive streets in Australia. Famous for its 1840s architecture, community gardens and cat population.
Frog Hollow
Walk down the stairs into Frog Hollow, which was considered the most dangerous slum in Sydney until it was demolished in the 1920s.
Royal Albert Hotel
This old backstreet pub was established in 1873, frequented by street gangs in the 1890s, and by hard-boiled police detectives in the 1960s and 70s including Roger Rogerson.
Frequently asked questions
Surry Hills Walking Tour Gallery
Clients Reviews
These guys have all done one of our Sydney walking tours.
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