Brief History
Melbourne, the capital city of Victoria, lies on the banks of the Yarra River. It was first explored by Charles Grimes (Surveyor-General of New South Wales) in 1803 and again in 1835 by John Batman who entered into a treaty with the local Aboriginals (Kulins) to buy land in the Port Phillip Bay area. Soon after Batman’s arrival, John Pascoe Fawkner, arrived from Van Diemen’s Land (Tasmania) and also bought land on the Yarra River creating a debate over who was the real pioneer of the area. The Governor of New South Wales, Sir Richard Bourke, named the settlement Melbourne after the British Prime Minister, Viscount Melbourne (1835-1841). In 1847 Melbourne officially became a city.
Things You May Not Know About Melbourne
The Westgate Bridge is the second longest bridge in Australia.
Platform 1 at Flinders Street Station is the longest railway platform in Australia.