Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
1964
The Beatles visit Melbourne, staying in the since-demolished Southern Cross Hotel on Bourke St
and creating city-wide 'youthquake' hysteria.
1967
Prime Minister Harold Holt disappears while swimming at Cheviot Beach near Portsea on the Morn-
ington Peninsula; his body is never recovered.
1970
Melbourne's West Gate Bridge collapses during construction, killing 35 workers; the impact and ex-
plosion that follows is heard more than 20km away. Melbourne's Tullamarine Airport opens in the
same year.
1977
The Centenary Test, commemorating the first cricket test match between Australia and England, is
played at the MCG. Amazingly, Australia triumphs by the same margin as the original: 45 runs.
1982-84
The Victorian Arts Centre, built to the design of Roy Grounds, opens in stages at the site now known
as Southbank after a construction period of some 11 years.
1988
The Australian Tennis Open moves from Kooyong to the hard-court venues of Melbourne Park. At-
tendance jumps by 90%, to well over 250,000 spectators.
1992
Southgate shopping centre, built on a former industrial site, opens, connecting the Arts Centre with
the city and marking the start of massive redevelopment of Melbourne's waterfront spaces.
2002
Federation Square opens - a year late for the centenary of Federation - amid controversy about its fi-
nal design and cost ($440 million), but to public praise.
2006
With the failure of late-winter and spring rainfalls and the second-driest conditions since 1900, water
restrictions are introduced across Victoria.
