MAX BURNS-MCRUVIE
Sydney Crime Historian and Director of Journey Walks
I have always been passionate about history and storytelling. Following this passion academically, I gained a Bachelor of Communications majoring in English and History from the University of NSW and a Master of Museum and Heritage Studies from Sydney University. My Masters’ Thesis explores the origins of Sydney’s tourism industry in the 19th century and the development of the city’s international identity as a travel destination.
Over the last 15 years I have also been lucky enough to share this passion in a very practical way — by creating and conducting history and crime tours in fascinating locations such as Sydney, Barcelona and Amsterdam. Over this time, I have focussed on unearthing urban underworlds, animating true crime stories and bringing colourful characters from the past back to life.
Outside of tours, I also host regular events and experiences that animate Sydney’s criminal heritage and explore stories of vice, murder and mystery. I present these stories, with matching food and drink tastings, at unique venues such as historic pubs, cocktail bars, museum spaces and even a heritage listed police station-turned-restaurant.
I truly believe that an engaging history tour or presentation is the best way to bring the past to life and connect our contemporary lives with the fascinating stories that came before us.