Imagine you are standing on the shores of Port Phillip now. It is a vast expanse of water stretching out before you. This horsehead-shaped bay is more than just a pretty view. It holds stories of ancient times and modern marvels.
Port Phillip is known as Narm-Narm to the Kulin nation. This bay is an integral part of Victoria’s identity. Metropolitan Melbourne surrounds much of its northern and eastern shorelines. Greater Geelong sits to the west.
Let’s dive into the depths of time here at Port Phillip. This bay formed between 8000 BCE and 6000 BCE. The sea levels rose and drowned the ancient river plains. The Yarra River and its tributaries once flowed through here. They created a coastal lake before emptying into what is now Bass Strait.
Aboriginal people lived here long before the bay formed. Evidence suggests their presence dates back at least 40000 years. Imagine Boonwurrung Elder Ningerranarro telling stories of his ancestors hunting kangaroo and possum where the bay now lies. Midden piles of seashells mark spots where Aboriginal people feasted on abundant sea life. They lived off penguins and seals. In the cold season, they wore possum-skin cloaks. Intricate feathered head-dresses adorned them.
The first Europeans to enter Port Phillip were the crew of the Lady Nelson. John Murray commanded it and they entered on February 15 1802. Murray named the bay Port King. This was after the Governor of New South Wales, Philip Gidley King. King later renamed it Port Phillip in honor of Arthur Phillip.
Murray’s voyage included a violent clash with local Aboriginal people. What started as a friendly encounter turned deadly. Murray ordered his crew to fire upon the Aboriginal people after an ambush. He justified it as a lesson in caution.
Matthew Flinders in HMS Investigator also entered the bay ten weeks later. He was unaware of Murray’s visit. Later Lieutenant Charles Robbins was sent to explore Port Phillip fully. His party included Charles Grimes. They charted the bay and found Aboriginal people at various locations.
In 1803, King established a convict settlement at Port Phillip. This was mainly to claim southern Australia ahead of the French. Captain David Collins led a convoy of two ships carrying 402 people. They landed at Sullivan Bay near present-day Sorrento. The settlement faced challenges and was abandoned in 1804.
Before the abandonment, a group of convicts including William Buckley escaped. Buckley lived in a cave and later with an Aboriginal group.
Melbourne was established in 1835 by settlers from Tasmania. John Batman and John Pascoe Fawkner led this. Geelong followed in 1838. The Gold Rush of 1851 boosted Melbourne’s growth.
Today Port Phillip is a hub for recreation and tourism. The bay is used for swimming, cycling, boating and fishing. Its waters are home to seals, whales and dolphins. The bay’s coastline stretches for 264 km. It is a natural wonder.
Remember the stories of Port Phillip. The ancient origins to the first encounters to the bustling cities that surround it. The bay remains a vibrant part of Victoria. It is a place of natural beauty and rich history.