5 Fun Facts About Melbourne

Interesting Facts About Melbourne!

Melbourne is a bustling social hub. We know it as the cultural boiling point of the country. Full of quirky coffee spots, world-class restaurants and fantastic street art that puts it on the map internationally. But do you know as much about Melbourne as you think? Regardless of whether you have been to Melbourne before or plan to visit soon, there is plenty of interesting facts you should know about this metropoltian city. 

Melbourne is a city that keeps on giving! It an easy choice to come back to again and again. So, what are you waiting for? Here we will share five interesting facts about Melbourne.

1. Melbourne is officially the fox capital of the world

You may think that the fox capital of the world is England, right? But you would be wrong! According to the RSPCA, Melbourne has the highest concentration of foxes in the world. Recent studies have shown that there are as many as 6 to 20 Red or European foxes per square kilometre in some parts of Melbourne. Oppose to the foxes that inhabit native England which average 18 urban foxes per square kilometre in London. Despite their abundance, don’t count on seeing one roaming the streets of Melbourne on your trip! It is still a rare sight to see a fox in the wild, even here.

2. Melbourne has a history of public bathing

That’s right! Residents of Melbourne used to take to the Yarra River, or even the seas and city baths where they would bathe communally. It is not something that frequently happens in the modern age, but if you would like to see the bathing boxes, there are still plenty around. There are approximately 1860 private bathing boxes, boat sheds and similar structures scattered around Port Phillip Bay and Western Port. All you have to do is look.

Eighty-two colourful bathing boxes reside in Brighton, on Dendy Street. All retain the classic, Victorian architectural features of timber framing, weatherboards and corrugated iron roofs. Brighton Beach Boxes are one of the most photographed destinations in Melbourne.

3. The world’s first feature film came from Melbourne

Not the US, not Europe, but Australia. Yes, the first-ever feature film was produced in Melbourne. The Story of the Ned Kelly Gang was filmed and made in Melbourne back in 1906. It, of course, traces the story of the notorious armoured bushranger Ned Kelly and his gang of outlaws. In 2007, it was inscribed on the UNESCO Memory of the World Register as the world’s first full-length narrative feature film. That is pretty amazing. The film was produced by the local theatrical company J & N Tait on a budget of £450 (then US$2185.65). This film ran for over an hour and showed first at the Melbourne Town Hall on 26 December 1906.

4. Melbourne has the largest tramway system in the world

Everyone knows that the easiest way to get around Melbourne is via tram. This is because Melbourne has the most extensive tramway service in the world. It is better than any operating in Europe! It stretches over a 250km track and has around 500 operational trams available. It makes sense why this would be the most used form of transportation for the people of Melbourne, as it is so easily accessible. It is also a cheaper way to get around and easy to use for tourists visiting Melbourne. Overall, there is no downside to Melbourne’s tramway! If you are a tram enthusiast, then you will already know that the largest tramway systems to follow worldwide are Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Cologne and Berlin respectively.

Melbourne’s tram system has around 203 million riders a year, which is not as many as all of the other large tramway systems. Even the fleet of trams on the tracks is nowhere near how many are in Moscow, which has around 950 trams operating. A not-for-profit organisation called Tram Sessions is putting bands on Melbourne trams for commuters’ pleasure. Sessions are free to tram ticket holders, filmed and uploaded to tramsessions.com and Facebook for all to enjoy.

5. Top Place to Live

It’s not London, Paris or even New York! For our final fact about Melbourne. Melbourne has been ranked one of the world’s most liveable cities for two consecutive years in the Economist Intelligence Unit’s global liveability index. Ever since the year 2011, Melbourne has consistently achieved a top spot, and when you are an outsider looking in, it is easy to see why. There is an undeniable culture in Melbourne! A uniqueness that you do not get in some other cities of Australia.

The transportation is easy to use and affordable. There is a vast food culture so you can find any cuisine at any time. Art is on the rise, and you can see it everywhere you go as street art has taken hold. The people are generally friendly, welcoming and proud to call themselves Melbournians. Around 38% of the population of Melbourne was born overseas.

There is undoubtedly nowhere quite like Melbourne. It is the city that will take hold of you and leave a special memory in your heart. Whether you enjoy restaurants, artwork, history or virtually anything else, Melbourne has you covered. Not only is it a great place to live, but also an excellent place for a holiday. The 5 interesting facts about Melbourne discussed here are not well-known by Australians or visitors.

Add Melbourne to the Bucket List

If you have not been to Melbourne yet, add it to your bucket list like Ed Sheeran did. You will find a whole world of possibilities you never thought existed. People come from everywhere to see what Melbourne has to offer, and there is a good reason why. It is a place like no other and seeing is believing. Take the chance and book your next trip to Melbourne. Whether you have been there before or not, there is so much on offer. The possibilities are truly endless.

Aboriginal Heritage Walking Tour

Looking for new things to do in Melbourne? Melbourne Gardens is a significant cultural site. To learn about the Eastern Kulin first nation people take the Aboriginal Heritage Walking Tour.

Your informative Aboriginal guide will provide insight and interesting facts into the area’s thriving culture and its rich history. Develop an appreciation and better understanding of Aboriginal history and the local customs of the Boonwurrung and Woiwurrung clans.

Immerse yourself and explore the connection to plants and discover the traditional uses that plants play in way of food and bush medicine.

Meeting Point

Tour starts from Melbourne Gardens Visitor Centre at Birdwood Avenue, Melbourne 3004 Victoria Australia