It is thought that the Aborigines first arrived in Australia 40,000 years ago where they adapted their nomadic existence to a seemingly uninhabitable enviroments. Unaware of the European navigators who in the 1600's were beginning to take an interest in the country, the Aborigines continued to live peacefully unaware of the events that would change their lives forever.

The first sightings of Australia by European navigators like Wlliam Dampier were made during the Great Age of Discovery but it was not until 1770 when British explorer Captain Cook landed at Botany Bay for a week that anyone began to chart the coastline. His favourable reports of Botany Bay and the likelihood that Cook was first to claim it for a European country, spurred the British into sending a fleet of free settlers along with convicts from their overcrowded jails, to establish an outpost in the East to protect their growing trading interests.

In 1788 Govener Phillip stood on the shores of Sydney Cove and formally declared New South Wales a colony of the British Empire. This area, now known as the Rocks*, is the foundation of the city.

Today Sydney is the capital of NSW and the on the Australian continent. In its short 200 odd years of existence, the colony has grown into a sprawling city of more than 4 million people covering an area of 12,406km (670 square miles). Adventurous colonists, gold seekers, people in search of a better lifestyle, political refugees and migrants brought here on an assisted passage by our government have all the years contributed to our over swelling population. Because of this, Sydney who used to be mostly dominated by the English descendants, the Greeks, Italians and basically just European migrants has now been taken over by the over abundance of people from both the Asian and Arab countrys that our government is bringing in.

Sydney Harbour is commonly referred to as the most beautiful natural harbour in the world. Those who come to see it will understand why. A large harbour with many bays, inlets and secondary harbours, it has not been built out like many of the world's great harbours. Although there are exclusive homes dotted around the water's edge, there are large tracts of parklands, reserves and gardens that balance the harbour environmentally. It is possible to walk around much of the harbour edge and picnic in many spots. On a warm sunny day, the harbour is a vibrant blue and dotted with hundreds of sailing boats, cruise boats and ferries. The hub of Sydney Harbour is Circular Quay, a ferry terminus situated at the bottom end of the central business district. Government ferries depart from here for most parts of the harbour.

*The Rocks is one of the most visited parts of Sydney. Its nestled at the foot of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and on the western shores of Sydney Cove. The Rocks, being the foundation place of Sydney and Australia is of enormous historical signifiance. Its often described as Sydney's outdoors museum.

The oldest area of Sydney, The Rocks has undergone an amazing metamorphosis as the old district has been transformed into a vibrant pocket of cafes and restaurants and interesting tourist shops and stalls. This has been achieved without destroying the area's old world charm and historic buildings.
Sydney's town planners have put in place, a sensitive conservation program that has preserved the heritage and character of The Rocks and brought about an interesting fusion of modern amenities in an old and valued setting. Exploring your way around the Rocks, you will encounter a maze of narrow streets, laneways and interconnected sandstone cottages and terraces filled with shops, stalls, cafes and restaurants. Its a buzz of enjoyment just to walk around the streets of the Rocks and soak up the atmosphere.

Australian indigenous culture stretches back more than 40,000 years while Europeans first settled Melbourne on the banks of the Yarra River in 1835 when it was part of the British colony New South Wales. In 1851, the colony of Victoria was separated from New South Wales and this area became the Australian state of Victoria. Federated as a Nation with Australia's other states and territories in 1901.

Melbourne was founded by John Batman with his immortal words jotted into a diary in 1834 after he had viewed a 270,000 hectare site on the banks of the Yarra River. 'This will be the place for a village'. It was then purchased from the Doutgalla tribe for an annual tribute of trade goods worth about 200 pounds.

Named after Lord Melbourne, then British Prime Minister, the fledgling city thrived. After less than 50 years of settlement, the British journalist George Augustus Sala, dubbed it 'Marvellous Melbourne'. Already it was a bustling centre of arts and crafts, strolling players, theatre and gracious living. Even then, there was an air of a city going places, a mood intensified by the public announcements of gold discoveries, in country Victoria, in 1851. Thousands flocked to the city, and it was commonplace to see red-shirted miners, and their sophisticated ladies, playing skittles with empty champagne bottles in the crisp Melbourne air!

Laid out in a symmetrical, rectangular grid, with wide streets and an abundance of parks and gardens, Melbourne gained a reputation as the 'Garden City', something it has been proud to maintain.

During the time of Queen Victoria, the city witnessed the building of exquisite examples of the architecture of the era. Today, the many remaining buildings are protected and loved by the community, and most, with their intricately designed wrought iron balconies have been restored to their former glory. The blend of Victorian architecture with the sleek designs of our time is one of the unique and impressive features of the City of Melbourne.