building | Hidden Melbourne

La Trobe Cottage

La Trobe Cottage Interactive

Melbourne's oldest surviving building, the original home of Victoria's first Lieutenant-Governor, Charles Joseph La Trobe.

Although described by a visitor in 1852 as “small but elegantly furnished and standing in spacious grounds,” La Trobe’s Cottage is now a vital part of Victoria’s history. The cottage was made from prefabricated materials brought from England to be the home of La Trobe, his wife Sophie and their children.

The cottage has been restored and today contains items from the earliest time of Victoria’s settlement. Join us at our next Open Day to learn about life in early Melbourne. Obtain a fascinating glimpse into La Trobe family life at his ‘Jolimont’ estate and enjoy the romantic garden re-created using plants available in the 1840s and 1850s.

Source: National Trust: https://www.nationaltrust.org.au/places/la-trobes-cottage/

Boyd House Walsh Street

Walsh Street, the house Boyd designed for his own family in 1957, is his most well-known work.

Torrens University Melbourne

Torrens University now occupies the former Metropolitan Gas Company Building built in 1892.

1890-2021 Metropolitan Gas Company

Panorama from Metropolitan Gas Company 2021 (Now Torrens University)

Three other panoramas have been added to show the view of Melbourne from Flinders Street. We have attributed them all to Robert Vere Scott, active at that time, using a Cirkut Camera to capture wide views.

The dates are not all certain but have been assigned approximately as ca1910 (from the Ball & Welch building balcony?), ca1900 from the East side tower of St Pauls and ca1890 from the west tower. The spires were added in the 1900s.

Click on the year button on the lower right to see the view at that time, which shows the remarkable development of Melbourne. Click on the “View” or “Visit” hotspot flags to be transported through time and space.

2021 Captured by HiddenMelbourne, ca1910 SLV H2006.48 , ca1900 SLV H96.160/1035, ca1890 SLV H96.160/923

Salvation Army Museum

The Salvation Army Museum, preserves and presents Salvo history. It features the Limelight Department film studio.

Kensington Town Hall

The Kensington Town Hall is a beautiful classical style building, located in Bellair Street, Kensington constructed in 1901.