The Melbourne Files
Welcome to our archive of Melbourne History articles.
Before Melbourne Central
Melbourne Central is one of Melbourne’s most well known landmarks. But before Melbourne Central, that part of the city looked…
A Guide to Melbourne Public Art
Melbourne is an artistic city, and our public spaces are like an open air gallery. Here is a guide to…
The Tied Election
In the Victorian State election in 1985, something straight out of a bad Hollywood movie went down. A tied election,…
When Houdini Came to Melbourne
In 1910, Harry Houdini came to Melbourne. He performed magic, flew a plane, and jumped into the Yarra shackled in…
Princess Caroline of Brunswick
Princess Caroline of Brunswick was involved in one of the 18th century's most notorious scandals. It is why her name…
The Eight Hour Day
170 years ago, most people worked 6 or 7 days a week, and about 12 hours each day. But the…
The Waiter’s Restaurant Siege
In March 1978, armed gunmen took over a Melbourne restaurant: this is the Waiter's Restaurant Siege.
Melbourne’s Lost Buildings
Melbourne was founded in 1835. Like most modern cities it has been rebuilt, and re-designed, in an endless cycle, ever…
Who Killed Alma Tirtschke?
In December 1921, a shocking crime stunned Melbourne. A hundred years later the question remains: who killed Alma Tirtschke?
Impressionists At The Beach
In the 1880s, Impressionism was at the cutting edge of the art world. And in Australia, local Impressionists headed to…
The Paris End of Melbourne
The east end of Collins Street is often called, The Paris End of Melbourne. The label can be traced to…
The Princess Theatre Ghost
The Princess Theatre is one of Melbourne’s most iconic buildings. It is also home to one of the world’s most…