The Melbourne Files
Welcome to our archive of Melbourne History articles.
Melbourne’s Oldest Buildings
Melbourne is a young city; only a handful of structures remain from before 1850, here is a list of Melbourne’s…
Cliveden: Melbourne’s Largest House
Near the MCG, where the Pullman Hotel is today, used to stand ‘Cliveden’, Melbourne’s largest and most opulent house.
When Prince Charles Was on Countdown
In 1977, Prince Charles appeared on Australian music TV show ‘Countdown’. It remains one of the most famous moments in…
The Legend of the Queenscliff Treasure
Southwest of Melbourne, the legend of the Queenscliff treasure has kept people searching for 150 years.
The Great Vault Sculpture Controversy
In 1980, a public artwork in Melbourne’s new city square provoked outrage. This is the great Vault sculpture controversy.
The Flinders Street Station Ballroom
The Flinders Street Station Ballroom was built to provide leisure activities to railway workers. It is now used as an…
Holt’s Matrimonial Agency
Holt’s Matrimonial Agency provided a matchmaker service to turn-of-the-century Melbourne. It was also the place, for a quickie wedding.
The Yarra Waterfall
The Yarra Waterfall used to stretch across the river where Queen Street is today. It was demolished in 1883.
The 1978 Melbourne Landmark Competition
The Melbourne Landmark Competition was launched in 1978 to find a southern equivalent to the Sydney Opera House. It was…
The Southern Cross Hotel
In 1962 the Southern Cross Hotel opened on Exhibition Street, and the international jet set came to Melbourne.
A Video History of Fed Square
The history of Fed Square in Melbourne is short, but rich. The site has already gone through a number of…
Prince Charles at Geelong Grammar
In 1966 the heir to the British throne came to Australia for two terms of high school. This is Prince…