Introduction:
Melbourne is the art and cultural centre of Australia, filled with funky cafes, cool galleries, lively eat streets, great shopping and has an abundance of festivals and carnivals.
Melbourne has a very European feel, some of which can be attributed to the high European migrant population. Post World War II Australia, and in particular Melbourne had a large influx of European migrants, and infact Melbourne is the 3rd largest Greek city in the world, behind Athens and Thessaloniki. There are also large populations of Italian, Turkish, Lebanese, Chinese and Vietnamese which have help sculpt the multicultural and vibrant Melbourne we see today.
History:
Australia is one of the Worlds oldest land masses, and it is believed was first inhabited by Nomadic tribes who came across from South Eastern Asia around 70,000 - 50,000 BC. These tribes settled, and although they shared some cultural similarities the tribes often spoke different dialects, and had unique traditions and rituals. The Indigenous Australians were quite an advanced society and were the first ancient people to make edge-ground stone tools and cremate their dead. Geographically Australia has been in its current location and separate from the Asian mainland for 15 million years. Consequently Australia developed some very unique flora and fauna.
British began settling in Victoria in 1803, however it wasn't until 1835 that permanent colonies were established. As with the rest of the Australian settlements, the British dispossessed the Aboriginals oftheir land and massacred them. Prior to white settlement in Victoria it is estimated there were between 60,000 and 100,000 Aboriginals, by 1860 there were 1,500, and by the 1880's just over 800 remained.
The gold rush in the middle of the 19th century brought a large influx of European and Asian migrants to Australia, in particular to country Victoria. Most of them in the area ended up settling in Melbourne, and combined with the wealth the gold rush generated Melbourne flourished. A second wave of immigrants arrived after world war II from Europe, and more recently refugees and migrants from Cambodia and Vietnam. These immigrants have helped shape Melbourne into the vibrant and culturally rich city we know today.
Things to See:
St Kilda
St Kilda in the cities south is one of Melbournes best known areas. Walk along Acland street for great cafes filled with delicous cake displays, funky bars and clubs and great restaurants. Sitting up on the hill is the famous Espy hotel, great for live music. Luna Park sits on the waterfront, the laughing face an icon of Melbourne. Ride the heritage listed rollercoaster over the sea.