HERITAGE RESTORED

Situated at the head of Port Phillip Bay in Victoria, Melbourne was founded in 1835 by John Batman who prepared the way for the 'squatters.' These graziers needed grazing land for their sheep and literally squatted on a section of land until in time, the government in Sydney passed regulations requiring the squatters to pay leases on their land.

Melbourne would most likely have become just another seaside town were it not for the discovery of gold in the Western District. Ballarat, Bendigo and many other towns in the area turned into gold towns overnight. Ballarat was the scene of Australia's only rebellion when miners protesting at the exorbitant costs of gold licences revolted. The revolt was crushed but the miners won their victory.
It seems that nobody wanted to hinder the flow of wealth streaming south to Melbourne. Thus, Melbourne was built on gold and many of the old Victoria buildings are relics of that age.

Melbourne became the temporary seat of government in Australia after Federation in 1901 and after the establishment of Canberra; it remained the financial capital of Australia. Sydney has now claimed this title and Melbourne has become the cultural capital instead.

Melbourne is the traditional heart of Aussie Rules football as well as the MCG, the 'Gee,' where some of the most memorable football and cricket games have been played. It has an atmosphere about it that has to be experienced rather than described. The Yarra River flows through the heart of the city, beginning its journey in the mountainous terrain to the east. For many years it was a cesspool, and was thought by some to flow upside down. Thankfully that has changed with stricter controls on waste disposal and an effort to clean the river up. It has been rediscovered in the '90s by entrepreneurs, and Southbank has been transformed from a rubbish dump to a collection of luxury shops, cafes, and the Crown Casino. The northern banks where newly built Colonial Stadium sits, is fast becoming another exclusive precinct, similar to Southbank.

Melbourne is roughly divided into four zones, north, west, southeast and east. The west was traditionally the working class heart of Melbourne due to the curious fact that middle class workers didn't like travelling home with the sun in their eyes. The east became the uptown section, although that has changed somewhat in the last fifteen years with a gradual move back to the inner suburbs. The east however, remains one of the greenest areas with the Dandenong Ranges rising majestically in the east. The 'Blue Dandenongs,' are one of Melbourne's traditional playgrounds and remain relatively unspoiled. 
Sound like a great place? I lived there for 39 years and although I call Central Scotland home now, there is still a part of my heart that belongs to Melbourne. Take a browse through these two sites for more information on visiting and living in Melbourne. This is also a useful site when reading Code Blue, as this was also based in Melbourne's outer eastern suburbs.
White Hat's Melbourne

Official Site

The Dandenongs would have to be one of the most romantic places in Victoria. As a former resident of Olinda, a little village in the Dandenongs, I can recall many pleasant evenings spent around an open fire listening to the wind blowing through the trees. In the morning the mist hangs heavy in the air, along with the peeling paperbark from the ghost gums. Were it not for the blacktop road, you could almost be forgiven for thinking you had stepped back a few thousand years.
The weekends see a regular convoy of cars heading into the hills, much to the chagrin of the locals, as Melburnians browse nurseries, craft shops and devonshire tea houses. A good selection of Bed and Breakfasts caters for tourists who want to stay a little longer, some never leave! The hills are like that I guess, once you leave the main roundabout at Montrose and start heading for the clouds, it feels as if the problems of the world drop away like an old grey blanket.
The lights of Melbourne are a popular attraction for tourists and locals alike, offering breathtaking views of the city lights. It was also a popular spot for parking couples!
The Dandenongs boast three pristine forests, Dandenong Ranges State Park, Sherbrooke Forest and Olinda Sate Forest. Once the home for loggers, they are now preserved as a national heritage. There are many day walks within the various parks with ample picnic and barbecue facilities, although on some summer days, fire restrictions apply.

Mount Dandenong is the spiritual heart of the east and draws visitors for miles around. The mountain is doted with little villages with names like, Olinda, Kalorama, Sassafras, Ferny Creek, Kallista and Mount Dandenong. The mountain folk are much the same now as they were when I was living there over fifteen years ago, down to earth and practical, yet with an underlying spirituality that seems to emanate from the earth. Mount Dandenong is also one of the only places close to Melbourne where the lyrebird can be seen and heard. This bird is a natural mimic and has been known to make a rasping sound similar to a chainsaw.

Melbourne Citysearch is the Melbourne arm of this worldwide city search site. There's lots of things to see and do in Melbourne, and Citysearch is updated on a fairly regular basis.

Pentridge Prison is now closed and has been turned over to the developers, who are madly scrambling to try and sell apartments at the usual exorbitant prices. There were calls to preserve the jail as a national museum but these calls have been ignored, although the developers have been forbidden from demolishing the actual bluestone walls. I guess with hindsight, Pentridge is still associated with criminals!

The Cathedral Ranges are a mountain range not far from Melbourne. One takes a leisurely drive through Healesville and over the Black Spur. The Spur is a favourite destination for bike riders, due to its many twisting hairpin bends. Nevertheless, the road has claimed many lives over the years and should be approached with caution: it is used be logging trucks as well as tourists out for a pleasant drive. Its most striking feature are the rows of trees alongside the road. The trees are planted in straight lines, thanks to the tree planters who replanted the forest after the disastrous fires of 1939. Being logically minded people, they planted the trees in straight lines! Once you reach the top you begin the descent into Marysville, affectionately called "Dullsville" by the locals. Marysville is known for its country retreats and Steavenson Falls, which are lit at night. Marysville was also the starting point for the goldfields at Woods Point.
A short drive through to Buxton will take you through to the Cathedral Ranges. Camping permits are available from the ranger's office and campers are requested to please leave the bush as they found it. Trails are moderate to difficult, and hikers should provide an estimated time of arrival to friends. It is possible to drive to the summit of Mount Margaret although the winding dirt road is impassable during the winter.
During the winter, Marysville is also the first port of call for skiers heading for the snowfields at Mount Buller and Lake Mountain, amongst others. Skis, sleds and other equipment is available for hire from the local store.

Alastair Rosie

Got a book you need reviewed?
Email me here.