Making the Journey: Immigration in Australia

Learn about Melbourne's history of immigration and experience its melting pot firsthand

$244 and up

Private

N/A

Small group

Tour Details

About the Tour

Category: History
Duration: 3 hours
Location: Melbourne

Photos & Highlights

Melbourne history tour led by a social historian or curator
Understand Melbourne through its multicultural heritage
Chinese Museum, Little Lonsdale Street, and Little Bourke Street

Tour Description

Since nearly its inception, Australia, and Melbourne in particular, has served as a melting pot, particularly among Asian immigrants. Beginning with the Gold Rush, proceeding through two world wars, and into the modern era, this city has attracted a diversity of immigrants who, in turn, have transformed the city. During our 3-hour Melbourne History Tour, following the city's immigration history with a local historian, we’ll trace and savor Melbourne’s immigrant identities, be it by nibbling our way through Chinatown or discovering a hidden synagogue. Along the way we'll uncover the keys to understanding this city—through the eyes of its people.

(Note: This tour does not include Melbourne's Immigration Museum. That is a part of a our Melbourne Laneways Tour).

Melbourne History Tour

Our tour will begin on Little Lonsdale Street where, after World War II, Syrian and Greek immigrants located. Though much has changed since then, we will uncover vestiges of this history, including an early 19th century synagogue now converted into a restaurant. We will also visit a typical terrace house, as well as the archaeological remains uncovered during recent building that paint a vivid image of the social history of Melbourne.

As we travel along what has come to be known affectionately as ‘Little Lon’, we will discover the private lives of boarding houses, warehouses, and factories, and the personal, romantic, and political challenges faced by migrants from India and Syria who lived and worked in them. Moving along we may also stop by Cumberland Place to observe one of the last remaining Victorian terrace houses, located near what was formerly the infamous Madame Brussell’s brothel.

Asia Connections

We will continue on Little Bourke Street, where Chinese immigrants and civil institutions were centralized. We’ll step into a dumpling shop and discuss the different waves of Chinese immigrants, from the gold rush in the 19th century to today’s diaspora. We will also observe how the Taiwanese, Vietnamese, and other Asian groups have settled here, and the differences in the streetscape. We may pass by the headquarters of the Chinese Nationalist Party, which will prompt us to consider the political activities in this part of Melbourne.

We will finish with a visit to the Chinese Museum, located in the midst of this hubbub, which features an excellent collection of memorabilia relating to Melbourne’s immigrant history. We will also learn about contemporary trends, specifically in education, that have lured the newest wave of immigrants from China, transforming this part of the city into a young, exciting college town.

Take Aways

At the end of our time together, perhaps nibbling on some dumplings from one of the great Xiaolongbao houses on Little Bourke, we'll consider the face of Melbourne—and Australia at large—and how much immigration has defined this city and country from the start. (Note, those very interested in Asian cuisine in Australia and visiting Sydney should try our Sydney Food Tour, visiting a superb Vietnamese market).

FAQ

Are any museums or other sites included on this walk?
We generally include the Chinese Museum on this walk, but not the Immigration Museum. That is a part of a our Gold Rush and Laneways tour.. If you have any special requests, feel free to add these to your trip notes when booking.

Where You'll Start

Tour Experts

Sophie

Sophie Couchman is a historian and curator with a deep understanding of Australia’s immigration history. Born and raised in Melbourne, her interest started when volunteering at the Chinese Museum and learning about the history of Melbourne’s Chinatown. This led to a Masters in Public History, a PhD and finally becoming curator at the Chinese Museum (2009 to 2016) where she developed a number of award-winning exhibitions and websites. Sophie has also worked at the Immigration Museum (Melbourne) on an exhibition about the complex place of British migration in Australia’s psyche, run tours to Hong Kong and southern China for Chinese-Australian family historians and recently organised an artists’ exchange between artists in Makassar (Indonesia) and Yirrkala (Northern Territory) as part of reinvigorating historic connections between the two peoples that predate European colonisation of Australia . This year she’s enjoying learning about the significant role of women in Australia’s food and fibre production as a member of the ‘Invisible Farmer’ project at Melbourne Museum. Sophie looks forward to helping you see Melbourne through the eyes of its many migrants.

7 Reviews – (4.43)

Reviews can only be left by Context customers after they have completed a tour. For more information about our reviews, please see our FAQ.

walk rated 6/6, docent rated 6/6

Susan

Mar. 8, 2017

We had a great tour. Aron was very knowledgeable and fun to be with.

Susan

Mar. 8, 2017

Paul was pleasant and knowledgeable. He focused on the Chinese immigration...is that because they were the most influential? We enjoyed the Chinese Immigration Museum and the snack at the Greek restaurant and just chatting with him.

Susi

Jan. 31, 2017

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Making the Journey: Immigration in Australia

Participants

Melbourne History Tour

Asia Connections

Take Aways

FAQ