Victoria (VIC)

---

Victoria overview

Victoria largest cities:
Melbourne, Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo.

Total area: 227,010 sq. km.
Population: 4,835,000 (2004)
Highest point: Mt Hotham

Victoria is located in the south-eastern corner of Australia. Victoria is the smallest mainland state. Victoria is the most densely populated and highly urbanized of all the states. Victoria's capital is Melbourne (pop. approximately 3.6 million).

From beaches to rugged mountains in the high snow country, lakes and white water streams. Visit the old goldfields, bush ranger territory; take a leisurely cruise down the Murray in an old paddle steamer.

Victoria origin of name

Named for Queen Victoria, the reigning monarch.

Victoria history

Victoria history began when Europeans first settled the Port Philip region. It was inhabited by five Aboriginal language groups, which made up the Kulin Nation. In 1835 the first white settlers sailed up Port Phillip Bay, however it was not until the gold rush of the 1850s that Melbourne started to grow quickly. Those lucrative years and the ensuing land boom have left Victoria with an outstanding legacy of fine architecture. The most famous buildings of that period can be seen along the Golden Mile Heritage Trail.

Europeans first came to Victoria in the early 1800s. A small convict settlement named the Sorrento settlement was founded in 1802 but moved to Hobart soon after. The bulk of permanent European occupants arrived in the 1830s.

In 1836 the colonial government in Sydney named the settlement the Port Phillip District of New South Wales. The area was governed from Sydney until 1851. Victoria became a separate colony in 1851. The first legislature was a 30 member Legislative Council.

Victoria population

In Victoria, the largest English-speaking background birthplace groups are England-born (172 621), New Zealand-born (42 825), and Scotland-born (34 886). The largest groups from non-English-speaking backgrounds are Italy-born (99 123), Greece-born (61 890), and Viet Nam-born (55 217). These figures compare with a state total population of 4 835 000, an Australia-born total of 3 620 243, a total overseas-born population of 1 189 309, and an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander total of 25 448.

Migrant communities are much larger than birthplace data suggest because of the presence of second and later generation individuals who identify with those communities. In terms of second generation figures for Victoria, the largest groups from English-speaking backgrounds are England-born (247 350), Scotland-born (60 364), and New Zealand-born (36 211). The largest from non-English-speaking backgrounds are Italy-born (128 120), Greece-born (68 285), and Netherlands-born (43 679).

The population of some birthplace groups is growing quickly. Others are declining. The highest average annual growth rates in the period 1996-2004 are for Iraq-born (62.5 per cent), Afghanistan-born (24.8 per cent), Ukraine-born (16.6 per cent), and Bangladesh-born (15.1 per cent). Those with the highest average annual rate of decline are Portugal-born (-2.4 per cent), Latvia-born (-2.3 per cent), Papua New Guinea-born (-2.1 per cent), and Spain-born (-2.1 per cent). These figures compare with a growth rate of 0.9 per cent per annum for the total population and 0.6 per cent per annum for the Australia-born.

Victoria education

Useful links:

Victoria University | rank: 7/10

Victoria culture

Useful links:

useum Victoria: Australia, Victoria, Melbourne | rank: 6/10
National Gallery of Victoria | rank: 6/10
State Library of Victoria - www.slv.vic.gov.au | rank: 7/10
Victoria and Albert Museum | rank: 7/10

Victoria sport

Useful links:

Tennis Victoria | rank: 5/10
Cricket Victoria | rank: 5/10

Victoria main attractions

• Melbourne Cup (began 1861)
• Australian Rules Football
• National Tennis Centre
• national parks
• Phillip Island (penguins)
• wineries
• prospecting
• fishing
• river boat cruising
• surfing
• snowfields

Useful links:

Travel Victoria and Melbourne travel guide - Australian Tourism Net | rank: 5/10
Victoria hostels, backpackers | rank: 5/10
Tourism Victoria Corporate Site | rank: 7/10

Victoria capital

Victoria capital Melbourne is known as Australia's cultural centre. Melbourne is also famous for its cafe culture, public gardens, architecture, and cosmopolitan atmosphere. Getting to and around the city is easy with a modern transport system that includes trams, trains, buses, and taxis.

Many are attracted to this city for its sporting events, such as the Australian Open international tennis tournament, the car racing Grand Prix and Australian Rules football. In addition, throughout the year there are a variety of cultural events featuring a wide assortment of music, food, and performance activities. There are also theatres, galleries and displays for you to view. In addition, there are many markets for you to explore, both in the city and throughout rural Victoria, selling everything from fresh produce to art and craft to second hand goods.

The National Gallery of Victoria on St Kilda Road, located opposite Melbourne Botanic Gardens, houses a fine Australian art collection; a permanent display of Aboriginal art, old-master paintings, prints, drawings and antiquities.

Located next to this gallery is the Victorian Arts Centre. The centre comprises theatres, the Melbourne Concert Hall, the Performing Arts Museum, the Westpac Gallery and the Sidney Myer Music Bowl located across St Kilda Road.

Visit Cook's Cottage in Fitzroy Gardens. This 1755 cottage was shipped from Captain James Cook's home in England and commemorates his voyage. Other historic homes built in the 19th century include Como in South Yarra and Rippon Lea mansion in Elsternwick.

---

  Australian Capital Territory

Canberra - The Nation's Capital

  New South Wales (NSW)

The Premier State

  Northern Territory (NT)

Outback Australia

  Queensland (QLD)

The Sunshine State

  South Australia (SA)

The Festival State

  Tasmania (TAS)

The Island State

  Victoria (VIC)

The Garden State

  Western Australia (WA)

The Largest State