History & heritage
The past is always present in Victoria. Nearly everywhere you look, you'll discover evidence of the state's proud and fascinating history, from elegant Victorian-era buildings and Murray River paddle steamers to maritime museums and steam trains.
Discover beautifully preserved goldmining towns, bushrangers lairs, and ancient burial sites testifying to the long history of Aboriginal occupation. Explore the wealth of history and heritage in each of Victoria's regions.
Gold rush history
Explore the legacy of gold throughout the region, particularly in former mining centres like Beechworth, Chiltern, Yackandandah and Woods Point.
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The legacy of the gold rush that shaped Victoria lives on in the boomtown architecture and rich history of the Goldfields region.
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Explore gold rush history at Walhalla by scenic railway, on foot through the town's restored boom-time architecture, or by visiting the Long Tunnel Mine.
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Maritime history
Discover the dramatic coastline of the Great Ocean Road region that has claimed more than 180 ships in its colourful maritime history.
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Gippsland is home to one of Victoria's oldest ports and historic lighthouses, making its maritime heritage one of the most significant in the state.
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Unlock the peninsula's historic discoveries from earliest Aboriginal times to the evocative era of European adventurers, mariners and pastoralists.
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Aboriginal heritage
Explore Aboriginal heritage with a guided tour at Tower Hill near Warrnambool, Lake Condah near Portland, or at Narana Creations in Geelong.
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Tap into Koorie history by following the routes the Gunai and Monaro people travelled and lived along throughout the Gippsland region.
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Take a heritage walk or visit the Melbourne Museum and the city's galleries to learn more about the history of Aboriginal people in Melbourne.
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The Murray is home to significant Aboriginal sites. Take a tour with an Aboriginal guide and learn about these important sites and the Dreamtime.
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The majority of Aboriginal rock art sites in south-eastern Australia are in the Grampians; explore over 100 sites or see impressive displays at Brambuk.
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