Melbourne: Most Multicultural Society in Australia

History

By the end of the 19th century, French and British adventurers had extensively explored Australia’s coast. This fear was the reason for British occupation in Victoria, like most Australian colonies at that time. In October 1803, Lieutenant David Collins landed on the shores of Port Phillip (near Sorrento). A short-lived settlement was established. In the 1810s and 1820s, Port Phillip was visited frequently by whalers and seal hunters who worked along with Tasmania to South Australia.

In June 1835, the infamous Batman ‘purchased’ land from Aborigines in Port Phillip and founded a village. Within one year of this event, settlers began to populate Melbourne on the banks of the Yarra River.

The early 20th century was a time of significant change. Australia became its own country, and Melbourne served as the federal capital until 1927 when Canberra took over that role. Melbourne had a population boom in the 1850s due to gold, which led it down its path of being an international city. Since then, Melbourne has gradually worked hard to turn itself into a city that can easily claim to be one ofAustralia’se most diversely cultural societa.

Tourist Attractions

Melbourne is an incredible city of diversity. Discover the chance to connect with people from all corners of the globe and learn about Aboriginal culture, which has strong roots in this area.

Experience Melbourne’s Royal Botanic Gardens on this cultural tour with an Aboriginal guide. This Walk provides a unique insight into the Gardens’ history (ancestral lands of the Kulin nation) and its Traditional Owners.

A local Aboriginal-owned and managed organization, the Koorie Heritage Trust offers Melbourne an immersive urban experience. Visit their collection in Federation Square before joining a guide for one of their cultural walks.

Centre Place in Melbourne is a beautiful, historical cobblestone street that you might recognize from postcards. It’s where art and graffiti meet to provide an overload of the senses – this place feels like it belongs on your Instagram feed! With colorful stencils and food stands at every turn, Centre Place makes for a great spot to stop by when wandering around Melbournes’ famous laneways.

Since opening its doors in 1892, Block Arcade has maintained its ornate charm. The arcade is home to a soaring glass canopy and mosaic floors inspired by Milan’s Galleria Vittorio Emanuele shopping center.

The Bourke Street Mall is in the centre of Melbourne’s shopping scene and is open only to trams and pedestrians. The street has a vibrant atmosphere with buskers, department stores, flagship fashion retailers, etc.

Chinatown is a strip of nineteenth-century buildings between Swanston and Spring streets on Little Bourke Street. It’s home to world-famous Asian restaurants, like Flower Drum for Cantonese fine dining or the renowned Shark Fin Westlake, where yum cha means lunchtime at HuTong Dumpling Bar, Shandong Mama well as China Red.