Sydney true crime books and walking tours
The dark history of Sydney's Inner West
Inner West Sydney History
The aim of Dark Tales is simple, to bring the dark tales of Inner West Sydney history to life. If you are looking for things to do in Sydney, grab one of my Sydney true crime books and head out to find a new way to explore areas such as King Street Newtown, Glebe Point Road, Leichhardt, Annandale, Balmain or the Australian historic site, Callan Park Asylum.
SYDNEY HISTORY BOOKS
My first book Dark Tales of Lost Leichhardt was written to reignite interest in the formerly bustling suburb of Leichhardt, Sydney. It covers 100 years, from the disappearance of Ludwig Leichhardt in 1848 to the mid-1950s. The book includes tales such as the female highway robber on Parramatta Road, the cunning larrikin gangs of Norton Street and the truth that lies buried beneath Pioneers Memorial Park. For younger readers, there is an informative, history-based version -the Younger Person's Edition.
On The Edge: More Dark Tales of Sydney's Inner West maps the dark tales and historical true crime events from suburbs that share a border with Leichhardt - Annandale, Balmain, Haberfield, Lilyfield, Petersham and Rozelle. You can buy the whole book, or the Annandale and Balmain and Rozelle-focused editions. Find out about Balmain's coal mine catastrophe, the Basher Gangs of Rozelle, the underbelly of Annandale and the role of Petersham in the Pyjama Girl Murder.
And for those of you who like a walk, tales from Dark Tales and On The Edge have been expanded into a walking guide, spanning Leichhardt, Haberfield and Lilyfield - the Ten Walks of Terror. This features a tour around spooky Callan Park, an old insane asylum, a place of dark stories.
I am now focusing on Inner West Sydney's most notable streets, with Dark Tales of King Street Newtown and Dark Tales of Glebe Point Road just published, featuring the misdemeanours of notorious Inner West identities like Chow Hayes. There will be more to come, so please step in and immerse yourself in a world that lies underneath the everyday in the Inner West of Sydney. I am a long-time Inner West Sydney resident, social researcher and local history buff.
Heather, Owner and Founder, Dark Tales
Dark Tales was a Finalist in the 2025 Inner West Business Awards
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Hear dark tales from Sydney's Inner West first-hand at 'Dark Tales - Inner West dark history'. Find out about the history of Callan Park Insane Asylum, the murder of Henry Travescus in Glebe, the historical incident at the Greenway - Sydney's newest walking path - and the tale of the Newtown Poisoner and much more.