2. beginnings
3. Symbols
The official colour of Victoria is navy blue, just like the background on this page.
4. melbourne
Interesting Facts About Melbourne
Did You Know:
Things to See and Do in Melbourne
Eureka Skydeck See all of Melbourne from 285 metres in the air at the Eureka Skydeck. If you’re brave enough, step out onto the Edge – a glass box that hangs out from the 88th floor. St Kilda Beach St Kilda Beach has been a hotspot for tourists for over 100 years. Surrounded by bars, cafes and restaurants, St Kilda Beach is the perfect place to spend a relaxing day. Flinders Street Railway Station The railway station opened 19 years after Melbourne was established, this railway station is an important part of the city’s history. Take a guided tour or check out an exhibition at Australia’s first train station. Shop at the Queen Victoria Market Queen Victoria Market has been around since 1878 and it is still popular with shoppers today. You can spend your day buying fresh produce, delicious food and souvenirs over 17 acres of land. Check out the Old Melbourne Gaol Built in 1845, Old Melbourne Gaol is a hub for crime history in the city. Visit the gaol that housed the infamous bushranger Ned Kelly or take a spooky ghost night tour. Discover the Melbourne Museum The Melbourne Museum houses a range of rotating exhibitions, including an 80-year-old display on Phar Lap, one of Melbourne’s most famous race horses. Visit the Melbourne Cricket Ground Opening in 1853, the Melbourne Cricket Ground is Melbourne’s most famous sports hub. Whether it’s to watch a footy game, visit the Australian Sports Museum or take a tour of the grounds, it is worth checking out. Explore the Dandenong Ranges National Park Have a calm and tranquil day at this beautiful natural park. Take a walk along a forest trail, visit Olinda Falls or take a ride on Puffing Billy, one of Australia’s oldest preserved steam railways. |
Old Melbourne Goal 1922
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History of Melbourne
Melbourne stands on the land of the Eastern Kulin people, who have lived there for around 40 000 years. The city of Melbourne was established on the 30th of August, 1835 when settlers sailed from Tasmania (originally known as Van Diemen’s Land) and created a settlement in Victoria. Melbourne is named after Prime Minister William Lamb, who was the 2nd Viscount of Melbourne. |
In 1853 Melbourne was developing rapidly and the need for consistent, accurate time across the colony saw the first observatory built in Williamstown. Time was communicated… ‘by dropping a ball on the Williamstown Flagstaff at one o’clock…This signal was watched from the Melbourne Flagstaff, about 4.5 miles away, aided by a telescope, and a ball was dropped there also’
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5. Eureka Stockade
Eureka Stockade was a rebellion, it took place in Ballarat, Victoria, in 1854. Eureka was the name given to the mining place or diggings. A Stockade was the structure, the gold miners built during the conflict to protect themselves from the colonial troopers. At the centre of the conflict was gold and the ability to mine it.
The license was issued by the government. It allows the liner to dig for gold in a certain area. Each month, the miners needed to buy a new license whether they had found any gold or not. If they mined without it they risked being find or arrested. The police made sure everyone followed the mining laws. They would often check miners licenses.
They were very expensive as it cost £1.10 shillings a month to purchase a license – the miners felt this was too expensive. In 1850, £1.10 shillings would be worth the same as $100 today, that they had to pay $100 to even start looking for gold.
Peter Lalor, an Irish Australian, was elected the leader of the rebellion only days before the major attack. The miners took an oath on Bakery Hill to fight together against the colonial troopers.
The police and troopers attacked the miners in the Stockade, and although the miners were well prepared and had about 150 men they were well outnumbered by the 400 police and troopers. When the battle ended, 6 of the colonial troopers, and 22 miners had lost their lives, the other 125 miners were wounded and taken as prisoners.
Most of the miners were set free. Their position on the unfairness of licensing laws brought about a royal commission. From the investigation, a new system, where miners paid tax on the gold they found was introduced. Miners were also given the right to vote and the right to own the land they mined.
Peter Lalor went on to become a politician in the Victorian upper house.
The license was issued by the government. It allows the liner to dig for gold in a certain area. Each month, the miners needed to buy a new license whether they had found any gold or not. If they mined without it they risked being find or arrested. The police made sure everyone followed the mining laws. They would often check miners licenses.
They were very expensive as it cost £1.10 shillings a month to purchase a license – the miners felt this was too expensive. In 1850, £1.10 shillings would be worth the same as $100 today, that they had to pay $100 to even start looking for gold.
Peter Lalor, an Irish Australian, was elected the leader of the rebellion only days before the major attack. The miners took an oath on Bakery Hill to fight together against the colonial troopers.
The police and troopers attacked the miners in the Stockade, and although the miners were well prepared and had about 150 men they were well outnumbered by the 400 police and troopers. When the battle ended, 6 of the colonial troopers, and 22 miners had lost their lives, the other 125 miners were wounded and taken as prisoners.
Most of the miners were set free. Their position on the unfairness of licensing laws brought about a royal commission. From the investigation, a new system, where miners paid tax on the gold they found was introduced. Miners were also given the right to vote and the right to own the land they mined.
Peter Lalor went on to become a politician in the Victorian upper house.
6. The Great Ocean Road
The Great Ocean Road was built by returned servicemen from World War I and was constructed as a permanent memorial to the soldiers who lost their lives during the conflict. It is Australia’s largest war memorial. Over 3000 returned soldiers helped to construct the road when work began in September 1919.
Before the road was built, travel in the area was very difficult and rough, so the road was created to connect communities in the area. The road was officially opened in November 1932 by the Lieutenant Governor, Sir William Irvine. |
During the early years of the Great Ocean Road, drivers paid a toll of two shillings and sixpence (roughly $7 today) with passengers paying one shilling and sixpence (roughly $4 today).
The toll was abolished when the road was handed over to the State Government as a gift on 2nd October 1936. Whilst the road is there as a memorial and to help with easier travel, it has also become one of the biggest tourist attractions in the country. |
The Great Ocean Road winds through some of the worlds most famous tourist spots including ocean, mountain, river and forest scenery.
Today the Great Ocean Road attracts tourists from all over Australia and the world.
It is a popular road trip spot with plenty of things to do and see along the way.
The Great Ocean Road has a diverse range of wildlife along the road. From tiny sugar gliders, blue-tongue lizards to enormous humpback whales there is plenty of wildlife to enjoy at different spots on the road.
You might be lucky to see some other special native animals such as kangaroos, koalas, emus and echidnas.
It is a popular road trip spot with plenty of things to do and see along the way.
The Great Ocean Road has a diverse range of wildlife along the road. From tiny sugar gliders, blue-tongue lizards to enormous humpback whales there is plenty of wildlife to enjoy at different spots on the road.
You might be lucky to see some other special native animals such as kangaroos, koalas, emus and echidnas.
The Great Ocean Road is also home to many unique native flora. Along the coastline there are a range of native flowers including banksias, parrot peas and orchids. Places such as the Otways, offer expansive forests, rainforests, as well as open woodlands and Triplet Falls. Melba Gully is home to beautiful Myrtle Beech and Blackwood trees and you will also find a range of ferns and shrubs.
7. Big Things
Big Ned Kelly is located in Glenrowan. It stands 6 metres high outside the post office. This is actually the third Big Ned Kelly to be in the town.
There are many souvenirs in the town about Ned Kelly, including two museums. Ned Kelly was a famous outlaw who died in 1880. He was known for his bulletproof armour. |
8. national parks
Alpine National Park is located in the Central Highlands of Victoria. The park is the largest national park within Victoria and is next to Kosciuszko National Park in NSW.
The park's highest point is Mount Bogong, 1,986m above sea level. It has high alpine woodland and grassy plains.
Tourist activities include: walking through alpine grass fields surrounded by wildflowers; climbing the high peaks; technical mountain bike trails; ride the rapids on white-water rafting trips; 4WD tracks; or cross-country skiing after a fresh blanket of snow has fallen.
Alpine National Park lies on the traditional Country of the Taungurung and Gunaikurnai Peoples. These traditional owners continue to have an ongoing role in caring for Country.
The park's highest point is Mount Bogong, 1,986m above sea level. It has high alpine woodland and grassy plains.
Tourist activities include: walking through alpine grass fields surrounded by wildflowers; climbing the high peaks; technical mountain bike trails; ride the rapids on white-water rafting trips; 4WD tracks; or cross-country skiing after a fresh blanket of snow has fallen.
Alpine National Park lies on the traditional Country of the Taungurung and Gunaikurnai Peoples. These traditional owners continue to have an ongoing role in caring for Country.
Grampians National Park, on the land of the Djabwurung and Jardwadjali peoples, is located in the Grampians region of Victoria. The Grampians is about 3 hours from Melbourne.
It has the most significant amount of indigenous Australian rock art found in Victoria. It is still to this day a culturally significant place to the Djabwurung and Jardwadjali. It is on the Australian National Heritage List.
Its landscape consists of sandstone outcrops, mountain peaks, streams and waterfalls. It is the home to various wildlife, including kangaroos, echidnas, emus and an extraordinary amount of native birds.
Tourists can: hike; learn about the history of this area before European settlement; and photograph views at the Venus Baths, Turret Falls and The Pinnacle. Visitors can also enjoy the park's many creeks, lakes and reservoirs with opportunities for fishing, canoeing, or kayaking in Lake Wartook, Lake Bellfield, and Moora Moora Reservoir.
It has the most significant amount of indigenous Australian rock art found in Victoria. It is still to this day a culturally significant place to the Djabwurung and Jardwadjali. It is on the Australian National Heritage List.
Its landscape consists of sandstone outcrops, mountain peaks, streams and waterfalls. It is the home to various wildlife, including kangaroos, echidnas, emus and an extraordinary amount of native birds.
Tourists can: hike; learn about the history of this area before European settlement; and photograph views at the Venus Baths, Turret Falls and The Pinnacle. Visitors can also enjoy the park's many creeks, lakes and reservoirs with opportunities for fishing, canoeing, or kayaking in Lake Wartook, Lake Bellfield, and Moora Moora Reservoir.
The Bunurong Marine National Park is named after the Boonwurrung Traditional Owners who have lived here for thousands of years.
It is an ecologically diverse marine park, with over 87 species of fish recorded and also has the highest diversity of intertidal and subtidal invertebrates in eastern Victoria. Tourists enjoy underwater reef habitats by snorkelling, scuba diving, boating and paddling. The coastal rock formations include Eagles Nest, The Caves and Flat Rocks and rock pools. The Cape Paterson Claw, which was Australia's first dinosaur bone discovery in 1903 was found inside the Bunurong Marine Park at Eagles Nest Beach - and has since been a site for thousands of bone discoveries from ancient life that are now on display at the Inverloch Shell Museum. |
9. animals and birds in victoria
Wedge-tailed eagles live all over Australia. The Bunurong Peoples believe Bunjil (Wedge-Tailed Eagle) is their father creator.
Wedge-tailed eagles' wings span 2.5m from tip to tip and they weigh 3.5-4kg. They have big, sharp, hooked beaks. They fly very high in the sky, reaching heights of about 2 km. They hunt and eat rabbit, but they also eat lizards, birds and mammals. |
Hooded Plovers are small-to-medium sized coastal shorebirds.
Plovers bob their heads continually when alert and standing still. They have a black hood and throat which gives them their name; they also have a red ring around their eyes. They forage on the beach and can usually be seen in pairs or small groups. They feed on insects, small bivalves, crustaceans, marine worms, water plants and seeds. |
The Eastern Barred Bandicoot is a nocturnal, rabbit sized marsupial. As well as being found in Victoria it is also in Tasmania.
They are nocturnal and prefering being by themselves. They have a thin tail and bulbous eyes. The bandicoot is covered with soft fur, which is greyish brown. The powerful hind legs of the bandicoot aid the animal when jumping, while the second and third toes on each foot are webbed as in kangaroos. Eastern barred bandicoots are omnivores (eating plant and animals). Their diet includes: seeds, roots, berries, grasses, beetles, grasshoppers, grubs, earthworms, insect larvae and slugs. |
Swamp Wallaby
This small, stocky wallaby has dark brown fur, often with lighter rusty patches on the belly, chest and base of the ears. They are small in stature, standing just 65 to 85 cm tall, and weighing up to 15 kg. The preferred habitat of the Swamp Wallaby is thick forest undergrowth or sandstone heath. The Swamp Wallaby is a herbivore feeding on a variety of plants including introduced and native shrubs, grasses and ferns. |
10. Phillip Island Nature Park (Penguin Parade)
Phillip Island Nature Parks was created by the State Government of Victoria in 1996 and comprises over 1,805 hectares and part of the UNESCO Western Port Biosphere Reserve. It is only 90 minutes from Melbourne.
The Traditional Owners of Millowl (Phillip Island) are the Bunurong Peoples. The habitats within Phillip Island Nature Parks support significant populations of little penguins, hooded plovers, short-tailed shearwaters. The mangroves and mudflats of Rhyll Inlet are a significant site for the wading birds that fly thousands of kilometres to feed here during the summer months. Mammals such as koalas, possums, wallabies, Australian fur seals and bats also live on Phillip Island. Phillip Island is home to the largest Little Penguin colony in the world. These amazing seabirds waddle home from the ocean to their burrows every night of the year. To protect the penguins, viewing platforms and boardwalks have been constructed. The is a Koala Conservation Park where visitor can wander the tree-top boardwalks to watch koalas up close in their natural habitat. When visiting Millowl (Phillip Island), visitors are asked to demonstrate their respect by:
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Activities
Melbourne Questions.
1. Download and print the worksheet. 2. Go to section 4 on the website for your answers. |
Fill in the Missing Words
1. Download the worksheet and print to the library printer. 2. Use the word bank to fill in the missing words. |
For Fun
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Find a Word
If you enjoy find a words, try this one. 1. Download the worksheet and print to the library printer. 2. Highlight the words as you find them. |
Notes to Sentences
1. Download the worksheet and print to the library printer. 2. Choose 3 notes and write them in sentences. |
Distances in VIC
1. Download the worksheet and print to the library printer. 2. Look at the map and choose 3 towns. 3. Using Google search find the distance between each of the 3 towns and Melbourne - e.g. Melbourne to Bendigo. 4. Record your answers. |
Map Reading
1. Download the worksheet and print to the library printer. 2. Find the Victoria 3. Colour the states that share a border with Victoria. Use section 1 to help. |
MAKE a TIMELINE 1. Re-read Section 7. Big Things. 2. Make notes in your exercise book of 5 big things and when they were created. 3. Construct a timeline in your book. |