City of Melbourne Libraries can connect you with a wide range of essential resources.
Keen to do some family history? Want to know who lived in your house? Looking to preserve old family photos?
Search thousands of images from Australian institutions.
Find a range of artworks, objects, postcards and posters.
Search photos, art, film and more.
Explore the City of Melbourne’s history using interactive maps.
These plans are extremely detailed and show the occupants, construction materials and fire protection facilities of Melbourne's buildings. They were prepared for insurance companies to gauge the fire risk posed by different buildings and to investigate insurance claims.
Historical maps digitised and provided by University of Melbourne Library Some maps are also available in high resolution.
These maps of Melbourne, provided by State Library of Victoria, can be used to research a range of historical, geographical and environmental topics. They provide detailed information about transport routes, land-use zoning, tourist sites, geology and electoral boundaries.
Full-colour scans of Melway street directories from 1966–1987 (most years).
These maps were produced from the 1890s to the 1950s and were crucial to the design and development of Melbourne's sewerage and drainage system.
If you’re interested in the history of the suburbs, citizens or buildings of the City of Melbourne, there are historical societies you can contact or join:
The City of Melbourne respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land we govern, the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung and Bunurong / Boon Wurrung peoples of the Kulin and pays respect to their Elders past and present. We acknowledge and honour the unbroken spiritual, cultural and political connection they have maintained to this unique place for more than 2000 generations.
We accept the invitation in the Uluru Statement from the Heart and are committed to walking together to build a better future.