Colonial Melbourne

The dramatic first years of the Port Phillip settlement can only be described by those who saw it first hand.

Why are streets in Melbourne's city named after the British nobility? What happened to convicts who were sent to Port Phillip? And who was Melbourne's real founder? These questions can best be answered by those who were there when the city began.

From a small settlement to one of the world's most liveable cities – Melbourne has come a long way, as these stories from early settlers show.

Learn about how convicts came to Port Phillip, and the role they played in the development of the colony.
Discover the real stories of John Batman and John Pascoe Fawkner – their successes, failures and scandals.
Learn what life was really like in colonial Melbourne, and how it compares to the city today.