Page 387 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Australia

VIC T ORIA  385

MELBOURNE

John Batman, the son of a Sydney convict, arrived
in what is now the Port Phillip district in 1835 and
met with Aboriginal tribes of the Kulin, from whom he
“purchased” the land. In just over two decades Melbourne
grew from a small tent encampment to a sprawling metropolis.
Today it is the second-largest city in Australia, with 4.6 million inhabitants.

Melbourne’s rapid growth was changes in the city’s consciousness. The
precipitated in the 1850s by the huge postwar period also witnessed a new
influx of immigrants seeking their wave of immigrants who sought better
fortunes on the rich gold fields of Victoria. lives here. Driven by the will to succeed,
This caused a population explosion of they introduced Melburnians to a range of
unprecedented proportions as prospectors cultures, transforming the British traditions
decided to stay in the city. The enormous of the city. This transformation continues
wealth generated by the gold rush led today with the arrival of immigrants from
to the construction of grand public all parts of Asia and beyond.
buildings. This development continued Melbourne holds many surprises: it has
throughout the land boom of the 1880s, the most elaborate Victorian architecture
earning the city the nickname “Marvellous of all Australian cities; it has a celebrated
Melbourne”. By the end of the 19th century, range of restaurant cuisines and its
the city was the industrial and financial calendar revolves around hugely popular
capital of Australia. It was also the home spectator sports and arts events (see
of the national parliament until 1927, pp44–5). While the climate is renowned
when it was moved to purpose-built for its unpredictability, Melburnians still
Canberra (see p195). enjoy an outdoor lifestyle for much of
Melbourne hosted the summer the year, and the city possesses a unique,
Olympics in 1956. Dubbed the “Friendly cosmopolitan charm that quietly
Games”, the event generated great bewitches many visitors.

The beautiful city of Melbourne across the Yarra River
The Neo-Gothic interior of St Paul’s Cathedral