West Melbourne in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia — Oceania
Flagstaff Gardens - The Hill
| — | Flagstaff Gardens | — |
Photographed by Dean Barton-Ancliffe, July 20, 2026
1. Flagstaff Gardens - THe Hill Marker
In the 1840s the hill was the place where the early settlers came for a bird's eye view' of the harbour and to share the latest news.
Signal flags flying from the flag pole, or flag staff', were used to send messages between the harbour and the town.
In 1850 the 'joyous intelligence' that Victoria was officially separate from New South Wales was proclaimed by flying 'colours from the flag staff' in the morning, a 21-gun salute at noon and a festive bonfire on the hill for the townspeople in the evening.
The introduction of an electric telegraph in 1854 made the use of the flag staff obsolete. From 1857-1861 the hill became the site of a magnetic observatory and meteorological station.
In 1862 the land became a recreation reserve. Over the next few years the site was laid out and planted as a public garden which became known as the Flagstaff Gardens.
Today Flagstaff Gardens welcomes visitors to enjoy this green open space in modern Melbourne and to climb the hill for a glimpse of today's docks.
Erected by City
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Parks & Recreational Areas • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1840.
Location. 37° 48.732′ S, 144° 57.269′ E. Marker is in West Melbourne, Victoria, in Melbourne. It is at the intersection of La Trobe Street and King Street (Victoria Route 60), on the left when traveling east on La Trobe Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 309-311 William Street, West Melbourne VIC 3003, Australia. Touch for directions.
Regionally, it is in Oceania, in Australasia, in the Pacific Ocean, in South Pacific, on the Pacific Rim, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Flagstaff Gardens - Mapping 170 Years of Change (about 120 meters away, measured in a direct line); Victoria Separation Monument Tablet (about 180 meters away); Separation Monument (about 180 meters away); Exhibition Building - William Street (about 210 meters
Photographed by Dean Barton-Ancliffe, July 20, 2026
2. Flagstaff Gardens Marker along the path in the gardens
Also see . . . Flagstaff Gardens. Victorian Heritage Database
Flagstaff Hill including the Flagstaff Gardens occupies an elevated position to the north west of Melbourne's CBD. Consisting of 7.7 hectares, it was originally called Burial Hill by the European settlers and was used as Melbourne's first burial ground in the 1830s. Later used as a signal station between 1840 and 1857, and then as a magnetic and meteorological observatory under Professor Georg von Neumayer between 1857 and 1862, the hill is a significant archaeological site. In 1862 the site was established as a public garden. Designed in an informal gardenesque style by the Deputy Surveyor General Clement Hodgkinson in1865, and later redesigned by John Guilfoyle in the 1890s, the garden contained numerous trees of scientific and aesthetic importance, many of which remain today. The current appearance of the gardens reflects changes made between the 1890s and the 1920s although the original pathways are still evident as are several of the original tree plantings. Although the character of the gardens has changed since the 1860s, the current appearance reflects a diverse cultural landscape that is rich in horticultural, historic and social meaning.(Submitted on September 2, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria.)
Credits. This page was last revised on September 3, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 2, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria. This page has been viewed 9 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 2, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
