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History

Melbourne, the vibrant capital of the state of Victoria, has a rich history that intertwines Indigenous heritage with the story of European settlement. For tens of thousands of years, the land now known as Melbourne was home to the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation. These Indigenous custodians thrived along the Yarra River, known as the Birrarung, sustaining their culture with intricate knowledge of the land and its natural resources. Ceremonial gatherings, trade, and storytelling were central to their way of life.

In 1835, European settlers, led by John Batman and later John Pascoe Fawkner, arrived in the area. Batman negotiated a controversial treaty with the Wurundjeri people to acquire land, an agreement later nullified by the colonial government. Melbourne was officially founded in 1837 and named in honor of British Prime Minister William Lamb, 2nd Viscount Melbourne. The city's layout, designed by surveyor Robert Hoddle, featured the iconic "Hoddle Grid," a practical and efficient design that remains central to Melbourne’s urban structure.