Melbourne History - While modern Melbourne history dates back to 1835 when the city was founded by John Batman on the River Yarra, the aboriginals inhabited the area long before that. Melbourne got its name from a British Prime Minister.

Melbourne History in Brief

1835 Melbourne was set up by John Batman on the Yarra River.

1837 The township of Melbourne was named after the British Prime Minister at that time, Lord Melbourne

1851 The colony of Victoria was officially proclaimed and Melbourne was the principal town. Later in the year, gold was discovered in the area. The major gold rushes of Victoria began.

1854 By 1854, because of the finding of gold, the Victoria population grew from 80,000 to 300,000.

1855 The Legislative Council and Legislative Assembly were set up to govern the colony.

1856 Melbourne flourished as 86 million grams of gold were mined. This eventually resulted in Melbourne being established as Australia's major financial centre.

1880 The International Exhibition of 1880 put Melbourne on the world map as a major city.

1887 This was the year the Coode Canal was completed, and allowed ships bypass Williamstown and sail straight into Melbourne.

1901 State of Victoria become part of a Nation with Australia's other states and territories.

1956 First Australian city to host the Olympic Games. It is also the first time that the Olympic Games were held in the Southern Hemisphere.