Razorhurst True Crime Tour

You'll walk a guided tour of Razorhurst, which covers the historic areas of Darlinghurst, East Sydney and Kings Cross.

This area is referred to as Razorhurst because in 1929 the gangsters' weapon of choice was the cut-throat razor.

You'll stop to view:

• Blood Alley, where the first major battle occurred;

• Kellett Street where the second gang battle occurred;

• Phil Jeffs' 50:50 Club, the hub of illegal gambling, cocaine and prostitution;

• The lanes of East Sydney, where Tilly's brothels were located;

• Tilly's house, the HQ of prostitution;

• Nellie's house home of The Angel of Death;

• The Tradesmen's Arms, where Tilly's gang drank and conspired

• The Strand Hotel where Frank Green Murdered Barney Dalton..

Your guides (alternating tour dates)

Philip McDonald: Philip is a walking historian. His family has been native to Sydney since 1812. Thousands of people have enjoyed his tours of Sydney’s dark past.

Kyla Ward: An author and actor, Kyla is also an experienced host and researcher. You may know her as your Guide to DEADHOUSE: Tales of Sydney Morgue.

Jo Henwood: Accredited Tour Guide, Storyteller, Education Officer, museum theatre creative, and workshop facilitator. Jo is qualified in cultural heritage, librarianship, museum studies, tour guiding, and gifted education.  

Kathryn Bendall: A Sydney , comedian, historian and experienced tour guide. As five starred Trip Advisor guide her one purpose is to ensure you have lots of “ I didn’t know that” moments! 

The set-up

In the late 1920s Sydney is a boom town for vice and criminal enterprise and policing is slack to say the least. There are enormous opportunities to build criminal empires based upon the wicked desires of the average man and woman. Because of a legal loophole, these opportunities are more readily available to women. Kate Leigh and Tilly Devine are the gals who grabbed these opportunities.