History Trivia: When Europeans first settled the Port Philip region it was inhabited by five Aboriginal language groups, which made up the Kulin Nation. In 1835 the first white settlers sailed up Port Phillip Bay, however it was not until the gold rush of the 1850s that Melbourne started to grow quickly. Those lucrative years and the ensuing land boom have left Victoria with an outstanding legacy of fine architecture. The most famous buildings of that period can be seen along the Golden Mile Heritage Trail. 

Europeans first came to Victoria in the early 1800s. A small convict settlement named the Sorrento settlement was founded in 1802 but moved to Hobart soon after. The bulk of permanent European occupants arrived in the 1830s.

In 1836 the colonial government in Sydney named the settlement the Port Phillip District of New South Wales. The area was governed from Sydney until 1851. Victoria became a separate colony in 1851. The first legislature was a 30 member Legislative Council which advised the Lieutenant Governor of the colony, CJ LaTrobe.

If you have any relevant or additional info that can contribute to the Victoria section, please email me.

• Capital: Melbourne
• Premier: Steven Philip Bracks is Premier of Victoria and Minister for Multicultural Affairs (www.premier.vic.gov.au)
• Flag: see above. The Victorian flag was first proclaimed in February 1870. It was gazetted in 1877 and amended in 1901. It consists of the blue ensign with the State Badge display in the fly of the flag.
• Official government website: www.vic.gov.au and www.supremecourt.vic.gov.au
• Animal emblem: Leadbeater's Possum (Gymnobelideus leadbeateri) proclaimed in 1971.

• Bird emblem: Helmeted Honeyeater (Lichenostomus melanops cassidix).
• Marine emblem: no official emblem.
• Floral emblem: Common Heath (Epacris impressa) proclaimed in 1958.

• Official colours: blue and silver.
• State Badge: The State Badge shows the Southern Cross and the St Edward's Crown. The design of the badge is changed with the style of crown chosen by the King or Queen of Australia. The last change was made in 1953, after Queen Elizabeth II chose the St Edward's Crown for her Coronation in 1952.
• Coat of Arms: The Victorian Coat of Arms was granted on the 6th of June 1910 by King George V of England. On 28 March 1973, Queen Elizabeth II signed a Royal Warrant which added Victoria's floral emblem, the Pink Heath, to Victoria's Coat of Arms. It comprises a shield bearing a representation of the Southern Cross supported by two female figures, one holding an olive branch and the other the mythological cornucopia or 'horn of plenty'. These objects are symbols of 'peace and prosperity', which is the state motto.

Population: 

The estimated resident population of Victoria at June 2003 was 4.9 million, an increase of 60,083 people since June 2002. This represents an annual growth rate of 1.2%. In 2003 Victoria's population was 24.7% of the Australian total.

At June 2003 there were an estimated 3.6 million people resident in the Melbourne Statistical Division (SD), representing an increase of 46,534 people between June 2002 and June 2003. Melbourne SD was home to nearly three-quarters (72%) of Victoria's population at June 2003 and accounted for 77% of Victoria's population growth between June 2002 and June 2003.

Victoria 4 917,311 
Melbourne 3 559,585 
Barwon 262,469 
Western District 100,586 
Central Highlands 144,483 
Wimmera 50,916 
Mallee 91,123 
Loddon 170,854 
Goulburn 198,742 
Ovens-Murray 94,911 
East Gippsland 81,249 
Gippsland 162,393 

[Source: www.abs.gov.au]

Largest Cities (population in 2004):

• Melbourne (3,666,000)
• Geelong (161,500) 
• Ballarat (85,000) 
• Bendigo (80,400)
• Mildura (46,900)
• Shepparton-Mooroopna (45,300)
• Warrnambool (28,800)
• Traralgon (21,000)

[Source: www.world-gazetteer.com]

• Highest mountain: Bogong 1,986m
• Total Land Area: 227,600 km2 (2.96% of total Australian landmass)
• Coastline:  1,868km (mainland), 644km (islands)
• National Parks:  Brisbane Ranges,  Discovery Bay Park, Lower Glenelg, Mount Eccles, 
  Mount Richmond, Otway, and Port Campbell National Parks
• Sate Parks: Angahook-Lorne, Cape Nelson, Carlisle, Melba Gully and You Yangs State Parks

Tourism

Museums
Victoria boasts an exceptional collection of museums, many hosting national displays or curating world-renowned exhibits. The Melbourne Museum is a fusion of the old world and the new. Living museums abound in Victoria. Sovereign Hill in Ballarat is the site of the richest gold field in the world, and offers a fabulous re-creation of the hustle and bustle of life in Ballarat in the 1850s. Other museums include the Scienceworks Museum, Immigration Museum, Melbourne Museum, Sovereign Hill and Gum San Chinese Heritage Centre.

Great Ocean Road
Returned soldiers built the road, constructed as a permanent memorial to those who died while fighting in the First World War. Survey work began in August 1918 but the difficulty of the terrain and bad weather hampered progress. It was completed just over 13 months later, with 57.6km (36 miles) of road from Cape Patton to Eastern View pegged out. The road was eventually completed on November 26, 1932, and the route was officially opened. It was a huge engineering feat resulting in faster access for vehicles via a coastal route from Barwon Heads via Lorne to Warrnambool.

Today, it is one of the great drives of the world. The Great Ocean Road starts at Torquay and winds its way 247 kilometres to Warrnambool. The road follows the coast all the way and you get to see some of the most spectacular coastal scenery of anywhere, including rugged cliffs, exquisite small sandy coves, spectacluar rock formations and even a quaint fishing village. The highlight is undoubtedly the Twelve Apostles, a unique group of 12 rock formations in the Port Campbell National Park that jut out of the sea. See www.greatoceanroad.org

12 Apostles 
These giant rock stacks rise from the waters of the Southern Ocean and are a central feature of the spectacular Port Campbell National Park that extends from Princetown to Peterborough. 70m limestone cliffs are the backdrop to the Apostles. The tallest of the rock stacks is around 45 metres high. The Apostles had their beginnings up to 20 million years ago.

Shipwrecks
The south-west coastline of Victoria between Moonlight Head and Port Fairy is a treacherous section of coast that has claimed more than 180 ships and earned it the name Shipwreck Coast. Highlights are Loch Ard Gorge, where the Loch Ard wrecked in 1878 and Wreck Beach, where two ships, the Marie Gabrielle in 1880 and the Fiji in 1891 wrecked along the beach. 

Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village
Overlooking Warrnambool's picturesque Lady Bay, the Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum Complex recounts the treacherous history of Victoria’s southern coast. Flagstaff Hill's recreated village is set on 10 acres and reflects the rich maritime atmosphere of an 1870's coastal port. The complex re-creates a nineteenth-century coastal port, and is built around the original lighthouses and fortifications. See www.flagstaffhill.com.

Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum Complex overlooking Lady Bay

Beaches
13th Beach, a sandy surf beach at Barwon Heads. Anglesea, a popular, sandy ocean beach excellent for swimming and surfing. Apollo Bay, popular with families but 105km from Geelong. Bancoora, near the hamlet of Breamlea 17km from Geelong. Barwon Heads, at 21km from Geelong, it is the closest surf beach to both Melbourne and Geelong. Bells beach, a world famous surf beach. Other beaches include Bridgewater Bay, Eastern Beach, Fairhaven, Jan Juc, Johanna, Kennett River, Lorne (a resort town), Ocean Grove with kilometres of sandy beach, Point Lonsdale, Point Roadknight, Port Campbell, Port Fairy, Portland, Queenscliff, Torquay, Warnnnambool and Wye River. 

Historic towns
Camperdown, this area was first settled in 1839 by the Manifold bothers. Port Fairy, from the early 1800s to 1846, the natural harbour at the mouth of the Moyne River became a favourite hunting port for Bass Strait sealers and whalers. Workers and seamen moved across the river in the 1830s and Port Fairy became a private town, almost unauthorised by the government of New South Wales. Just how unauthorised is the subject of folklore but one thing is certain - 19th century fishermen liked a drink. There were at least 35 hotels for a resident population of 2500 people. Portland, where Victoria's first permanent settlement was established, even before the state itself was proclaimed. Queenscliff, with its maritime and military origins. 

Otways
The dense, tall-timbered rainforest of the Otway Ranges showcases nature at its best. Within its massive 88,000 hectares are waterfalls, lakes, glades of massive tree ferns and native animals scurrying about their business.

Waterfalls
Beauchamp Falls, Carisbrook Falls, Cora Lyn Cascades, Cumberland Falls, Erskine Falls - one of the most popular and easily accessible, Hopetoun Falls, Hopkins Falls - in summer eels can be seen during their upstream migration, Kalimna Falls, Marriners Falls, Phantom Falls, Sheok Falls, Stevensons Falls, and Triplet Falls - the most charming in the Otaways.

 

Melbourne in winter is all about fabulous food, arts and culture and endless shopping. Enjoy a stunning collection of French Impressionist masterpieces at NGV International, attend award-winning theatre productions, visit the famous winter sales, and discover a fantastic range of dining spots serving some of the world's great cuisines.

Top 20 Attractions 
Central Deborah Mine in Bendigo
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum Complex
Gum San Chinese Heritage Centre
Healesville Sanctuary
The Mansion at Werribee Park
Melbourne Aquarium
Melbourne Museum
Melbourne Observation Deck
Melbourne River Cruises
Victoria's Open Range Zoo at Werribee
Phillip Island Nature Park
Port of Echuca
Puffing Billy
Scienceworks
Sovereign Hill
The Arts Centre
Old Melbourne Gaol
IMAX Theatre
Federation Square

Why "Melbourne"?
Melbourne was originally settled by graziers, John Batman being the first. He claimed land just north of Port Phillip Bay, whilst other graziers also decided to occupy areas near the Yarra River, but without the necessary permission to colonise. 

Captain William Lonsdale was sent from Sydney to oversee the land sales. The township being established in 1835 and named after the British Prime Minister at the time, Lord Melbourne. Having been originally considered part of New South Wales, Victoria was established as a separate colony in 1851.

 

The 2004 Australian Open

Food & Wine
Famed for its award-winning restaurants, the variety, types and flavours are endless. There is a wealth and diversity of wine regions, wineries, vineyards and cellar door businesses. For a good index, try: www.mdg.com.au

Art & Culture
The National Gallery of Victoria now occupies two homes within the one magnificent arts precinct. The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia at Federation Square exhibits pieces from the gallery's 20,000 Australian art works. The revamped NGV International on St Kilda Road is a breathtaking four-level venue displaying collections of European, Asian, Oceanic and American Art.

Theatre & Performing arts
The beautifully-restored Her Majesty's and Princess theatres stage dozens of theatrical productions each week. Head to the Royal Botanic Gardens for outdoor performances of Shakespeare, or enjoy cabaret-style drama at the Comedy Theatre. Melbourne Theatre Company is the the oldest professional theatre company in Australia, staging around 15 plays in Melbourne each year.

Federation Square

Ballet, Symphony & Opera
Melbourne’s Arts Centre, situated in the heart of Melbourne’s cultural precinct in Southbank, hosts most of the opera, ballet and orchestral productions in the city. The Australian Ballet calls Melbourne’s Southbank home and performs at the Arts Centre State Theatre during February, March, June and September. Opera Australia performs at the State Theatre during Spring and Autumn . Melbourne is home to two of Australia’s finest orchestras – the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and the State Orchestra of Victoria.

Boating
Melbourne is located on the largest embayment in Australia, which means there are small tidal variations with consistent fair sailing conditions. Yachting is one of Melbourne’s most popular sports, with about 20 clubs lining the shores of Port Phillip. The Yarra River also offers boating opportunities – from taking out a barbecue boat and lunching on the water to a gondola trip.

Melbourne Aquarium
It harbours thousands of creatures from the Southern Ocean, including delicate sea dragons, cuttlefish, moray eels, giant crabs and sharks. Displays of Victoria’s bays, estuaries and rivers can be seen in the habitats area, where starfish, eels and turtles play among the mangroves and rock pools. 

Melbourne Zoo
Opened in 1862, Melbourne Zoo is the oldest in Australia. More than 350 animal species from around the world are on display in the zoo’s attractive enclosures and botanical settings.

Phillip Island Nature Park
Just 90 minutes from Melbourne, the park is home to the famous Penguin Parade at Summerland Beach. From the viewing stands and boardwalk, visitors can watch Little Penguins emerge each night from the surf and waddle to their burrows on the foreshore.

Puffing Billy
One of the most enjoyable introductions to the Yarra Valley is a ride on Puffing Billy, Australia’s oldest surviving and famously preserved steam railway. The 25-kilometre journey takes visitors through thick forests and lush fern-filled gullies from Belgrave, only one hour east of Melbourne, to Emerald Lake Park and Gembrook.

The Mansion at Werribee Park
Just 30 minutes from Melbourne, the Mansion at Werribee Park is testament to the opulence and success of early Australian pastoralists. Still regarded as the largest private residence in Victoria, the mansion was built between 1874 and 1877 in the ideal of an English country estate – complete with blacksmith, farmyards and manicured gardens. Today, visitors can tour much of the lavishly restored mansion, including the main bedrooms, and billiard and reception rooms.

Mansion at Werribee Park

Port of Echuca (200km from Melbourne)
Located on the banks of the Murray River, the historic Port of Echuca provides a unique opportunity for visitors to experience an operating steam port. Once the centre of Australia’s inland trade, paddlesteamers would bring their cargoes of wool from as far as the Queensland border, connecting at Echuca with train transport to Melbourne, where much of the wool would be exported to London.

Port of Echuca
 

Official links:
www.visitvictoria.com
www.vic.gov.au
www.melbourne.com.au
melbournesvalleyarts.com.au
www.mdg.com.au
www.mftinc.org

Weather in Victoria 

Tourist info:
www.gippslandinfo.com.au

Parks & Gardens
The Royal Botanic Gardens is considered to be one of the most significant botanical gardens in Australia. The gardens are home to over 12,000 different species of plants and are a natural sanctuary for native wildlife. Features of the gardens include the Ornamental Lake, the National Herbarium of Victoria, Old Melbourne Observatory, the Australian Rainforest Walk and the Water Conservation Garden. 

Fitzroy Gardens boast historic and botanic treasures including the flower-filled conservatory, a 150-year-old avenue of magnificent elms, a miniature Tudor village and a fairy tree. 

North of the city centre, Carlton Gardens surround the majestic Royal Exhibition Building, which was built for the Great Exhibition of 1880. 

Opposite the Victorian Arts Centre, the Queen Victoria Gardens is typified by flowering garden beds and manicured lawns. 

Covering more than 106 acres of parkland, Kings Domain is characterised by sweeping lawns and is located adjacent to the Royal Botanic, Alexandra and Queen Victoria gardens. 

The Alexandra Gardens feature extensive lawns with mature trees lining paths and roadways, ornamental gardens with palms and shrub borders, the Palm Lawn and Star Garden Bed. Established in the early 1900s.

Flagstaff Gardens were Melbourne’s first public gardens. Established on the highest point of land in the city, the gardens hosted a signalling station, still found in the gardens, that flagged the arrival of ships in the bay. It features picnic areas with barbecues, a playground, toilets, tennis, netball and volleyball courts, and a walking path.

Opened on Australia Day, 26 January 2002, Birrarung Marr is Melbourne’s newest city parkland and its name is taken from the language of the indigenous Wurundjeri people – birrarung means ‘river of mists’ and marr is ‘side’.

Adjacent to Old Treasury House, the Treasury Gardens feature many fine avenues of European trees that line the park and its edges. The garden’s fine lawns are a lunchtime retreat for many city workers, as well as being an ideal place for a picnic, barbecue or kick of the football.

Treasury Gardens
 

Geelong takes full advantage of its unique north-facing bay with fabulous waterfront eateries, landscaped gardens and walking paths set against the backdrop of Corio Bay.  

Geelong town became a city on 8 December, 1910 and electric trams began running in 1912. Between 1922 and 1925 Geelong's future industrial growth began: three woollen mills, Cresco fertilizers and the Ford Motor Company's vehicle plant near Corio.

 

Shadowfax Winery

Staughton Vale Vineyard established in 1986, has a cottage restaurant that serves delicious country fare for lunch, morning and afternoon tea.

Other attractions
National Wool Museum, housed in an impressive three storey historic bluestone wool store dating back to 1872.
Ford Discovery Centre, Australia’s first automotive technology discovery centre.
Geelong Performing Arts Centre showcasing live performances of top local and international acts.
Australian rules football game at Skilled Stadium.
Geelong Art Gallery.
The National Trust’s two historic homes, The Heights and Barwon Grange.
Royal Geelong Yacht Club
Bollard walk
 

www.greatoceanroad.org
www.intown.com.au
www.geelong.vic.gov.au
www.geelonginfo.com.au
geelong.ecityguide.com.au

Geelong weather
Geelong News

www.ballarat.com
ballarat.ecityguide.com.au

Ballarat Taxi’s
(03) 5331 3355

Ballarat Coachlines 
Ph: (03) 5333 4660

Train Timetable
Ph: (03) 53 378565

The city lies at the southern gateway of the Murray-Darling basin. Mouse over images for more info.

 

Rosalind Park

Things to do in Bendigo:
Bendigo Art Gallery - www.bendigoartgallery.com.au
The Golden Dragon Museum - Chinese Heritage
The Central Deborah Gold Mine - www.central-deborah.com
Bendigo Pottery - www.bendigopottery.com.au
Discovery Science & Technology Centre - www.discovery.asn.au
Confectionary Capers -an exposition of the wheel, English and fine confectionary.
Hanging Rock Winery - www.hangingrock.com.au
Living Wings & Things
Life Adventure Park
Campaspe Run - interactive displays, murals, soundscrapes, etc.
 

Some links:
www.visitvictoria.com
www.bendigo.vic.gov.au
www.bendigotourism.com
www.walkabout.com.au
www.bendigowine.org.au
bendigo.ecityguide.com.au

Shamrock Hotel

 

Sale is situated at the head of the Thomson River, above the junction with the Latrobe River, and at the head of the Gippsland Lakes system.

Its economy is now intimately interwoven with the Longford Oil/Gas installation and the associated Bass Strait Oil fields. Other industries are the BTR Nylex factory, the West Sale Aviation facility and the RAAF military base at East Sale. Grazing, dairying, agriculture and fruit growing are still important industries in the countryside.

 

Boat mooring port of Sale

Things to do in Sale include: 
Sale Canal Cruises 
GippsIand Regional Art Gallery
Historical Museum
St Pauls Cathedral and rectory (1885) 
Historic homestead and gardens 
Sale Common Wildlife Refuge and boardwalk
Bataluk Cultural Trail - starts Sale Wetlands 
Starting point of Howitt Bicycle Trail 
Antiques and galleries

Some links:
www.visitvictoria.com
www.locallink.com.au
 

www.melbourne.visitorsbureau.com.au/city-map.html
www.melbourne.visitorsbureau.com.au/map_index.html
www.lib.unimelb.edu.au/collections/maps/melb2001aerial.html