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About Us : Our Tours, Events & Vision

Tour guide Max in Sydney

Hello, my name is Max Burns-McRuvie director of Journey Walks.

Launched in 2017 Journey Walks is a small, independent collective of historians, storytellers and guides who bring Australia’s fascinating heritage and true crime history to life through tours and events. As a vibrant local team of professional hosts we are proud to offer truly engaging experiences that are carefully crafted through extensive research and our passion for the past.

Over the last 6 years Journey Walks has gained extensive experience curating tours and events for public, private, corporate and educational groups. We are closely partnered with a great range of historic venues, and regularly host unique history, food and wine experiences with Sydney Restaurant Group. We also collaborate with Sydney Living Museums, the National Trust, Sydney University, the City of Sydney Council, Capella Sydney and many local businesses, bars, cafes, restaurants, hotels and cultural institutions.

No matter the occasion, our primary occupation is the forging of real connections between contemporary audiences and historic stories.

We can’t wait for you to join us as we explore the fascinating tales, trails and tastes that are woven throughout the wonderful city of Sydney.

Journey Walks is a 5 star rated business. Find out what our guests have to say about their recent experiences with us by visiting us on Trip Advisor or Google reviews

ABOUT US: OUR TEAM & EXPERIENCE

Speaking about the history of Bungaree at Chowder Bay

MAX BURNS-MCRUVIE — Sydney Historian and Director of Journey Walks

I have always been passionate about history and storytelling. I’ve followed this passion academically gaining 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.

On behalf of my brilliant team of guides at Journey Walks, I welcome you onboard for an unforgettable set of experiences!

APRIL MCNEE — HISTORIAN-GUIDE: 

I am a ‘born and bred’ Sydney-sider whose passion for living history began at a young age. I completed an undergraduate degree in History and Medieval Studies at the University of Sydney as well as my Masters in Museum and Heritage Studies.

After finishing my post-graduate studies I moved to the UK in order to work with historical dress collections, and began working part-time as a tour-guide in London.

I discovered the joy in sharing history with people and bringing a city to life for them – Revealing how the smallest, most mundane things we take for granted – like a cup of tea – are the product of hundreds of years of history, trade, social and political forces.
Coming home to Sydney two years ago, I knew tour-guiding was too fun to stop – and have enjoyed rediscovering a love for Australian History and leading tours with Journey Walks.
When I am not tour guiding, I run a gallery for the NSW Embroiderers’ Guild and am currently working as a Research Assistant at Sydney University. 

DANICA MICALLEF — HISTORIAN-GUIDE: 

Hi I’m Danica, you can call me Dee! Im a born and raised Sydney local, and with my Bachelor’s in History, Diploma of Travel and Tourism, Master’s in Museum and Heritage studies, and four years experience as a Sydney tour guide, I’m a certified history nerd! 
I love Australian history for its focus on the everyday people; the convicts and labourers, rather than kings and politicians. I find that history is largely experienced by the everyday people, and learning about their lives gives a much deeper insight into what it was like back then. 
When I’m not touring I work in heritage digitisation, scanning and preserving our written history for generations to come! 
I’m also a dual citizen of Malta, kif int!

MAX BARNETT — HISTORIAN-GUIDE: 

The magic of history is how each individual story is part of a bigger narrative. I am a homegrown Sydneysider and my passion for the stories of the past grew from exploring Sydney’s streets. I have a Bachelor of History and Law from Macquarie and Sydney University, a Masters in History from Macquarie University and I am about to commence my PhD in World History at Macquarie University.

My goal is to connect a love for history with a passion for sharing knowledge. I have worked for 10 years as a teacher in various formats and believe that history should not be confined to classrooms of bored teenagers or in dusty academic tones. There are stories too important and too interesting to be hidden away and guiding gives a fantastic opportunity to share these stories with people from all walks of life.

I can’t wait to meet you and share the stories in my storyteller’s treasure chest.