VICTORIA BRONTE MOSCHER – THOMAS

FEATURES OF VICTORIA  The state of Victoria offers diversity many different cultures, climatic conditions, lifestyles and opportunities are available within the state.  Victoria measures in as one of the smallest states land wise 2,529,875km² but the second highest populous state in Australia with approx. 5,547,527citzens.  Victoria is located in the south eastern corner of mainland Australia and is often referred to as the garden state because of the rolling mountains and valleys which make up a majority of the state.  Victoria is divided into eleven different regions.  Melbourne is the capital city of Victoria.

REGIONS OF VICTORIA 1.Melbourne 2.Daylesford and Macedon Ranges 3.Yarra valley and Dandenong Ranges 4.Mornington Peninsula 5.Phillip Island 6.Great Ocean Road 7. Goldfields 8.Grampians 9.High Country 10.Gippsland 11.The Murray

NATURAL TOURIST ATTRACTION The Great Ocean Road is Victorias natural wonder.  It begins 2 hours south east of Melbourne, it’s a breathtaking long drive along the coastline. The Great Ocean Road officially starts in Geelong and winds its way for about 250 kilometres to finish up not far from the South Australian border, 12 kilometres east of Warrnambool.  Construction on the road begun in 1918 and was finished during the Great Depression, it was project designed to combat unemployment among returned soldiers.  The Great Ocean Road is the gateway to a host of coastal natural landmarks such as the  12 Apostles  Shipwreck coast  London bridge  The Grotto  Whale watching

SIGHTS ALONG THE GREAT OCEAN ROAD

MAN MADE TOURIST ATTRACTIONS Melbourne Aquarium Melbourne Aquarium is the newest and most state-of-the-art aquarium in Australia. With 360 degree Oceanarium which houses giant sharks and stingrays among other marine life. Witness live feeding of the marine animals, a magical collection of sea jellies and colourful collection of coral from the Great Barrier Reef exhibit or be amazed by the option of swimming with the most ferocious sharks in Australia. The Aquarium had completed building by late 1999 and opened in January It was designed by Peddle Thorp Architectural who is credited for the design of the “World First Oceanarium” A 2.2 million litre tank that allows visitors to be immersed with the Marine life swimming around them a spectacle in its self.

MELBOURNE AQUARIUM

HISTORY OF VICTORIA  Australian Aborigines predate European colonisation by tens of thousands of years, the indigenous identity within in Victoria is still very evident today.  After word that gold was discovered in Victoria 1851, men and their families eagerly moved to Victoria trying make a name for themselves during the gold rush.  Before the Gold rush Victoria struggled to attract immigrants but by the end of 1851, men had arrived and working in the Gold fields. Originating from Britain, Europe, America and China  By 1861 population grew to and kept growing and growing crediting victoria for the creation of basic institutions of life and a moving force for the independence of Australia

 The surge of wealth and people in southern Victoria cemented Melbourne's future as a major city. By 1861, just 25 years after the set up the township, it was home to 125,000 people.  The gold rush sparked a mass development of housing, schooling and education centres, churches, upper class homes for the professional personnel and public buildings.  The International Exhibition of 1880 put Melbourne on the world map as a major city.  its public buildings stand testament to an era that earned it the title of Marvellous Melbourne.  the city developed into a major trade centre with wool, wheat and other agricultural products adding to its wealth  Today Melbourne is home to about 3.2 million people and is Australia's most multi cultural city.

ECONOMY OF VICTORIA  Victoria is home to approx. 5.6 million people  The average weekly income for all households is $1632

CUSTOMS AND EVENTS OF VICTORIA There are many events that held in victoria Some of these include:  Rip Curl Pro  Bells Beach, Torquay  Queenscliff Music Festival  Queenscliff  Vodafone Boxing Day Test  Melbourne Cricket Ground ( MCG), East Melbourne  Australian Football League Finals Series ( AFL finals )  MCG, East Melbourne

The Garden State Victoria