Melbourne was first settled in 1835 on the banks of the Yarra River, at a place called Phillip Bay. Melbourne began as a tent city of 50 settlers in 1835 but quickly grew to a population of 700,000 by 1869.

It was named after the then British Prime Minister Lord Melbourne.

The rapid population growth was down to the gold rush of the 1850s, which saw Melbourne take off as a true international city. Those lucrative years and the ensuing land boom left Victoria with an outstanding legacy of fine architecture, examples of which are dotted around town today. Visitors to the region in the late nineteenth century labelled the city as 'marvellous Melbourne' and 'the jewel of the southern hemisphere'

Today Melbourne is known for its outstanding shopping and variety of food and the Trams that still run around the city.

Melbourne in the early 1900's



Picture courtesy of
http://www.museum.vic.gov.au/marvellous/

Thanks chellin - wow - great photo!!

Whilst you've been on holiday we have gained a new Smith Chat Member, JohnT who lives in Melbourne, & a British ex-pat himself like you.

Looking forward to chatting again when you get back.

Carole