in Places & People

What Melbourne looked like in the 1970s Through Fascinating Vintage Photos

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In the 1970s, Melbourne’s growth rate slowed as immigration declined and economic conditions worsened. Yet, several significant changes occurred during this slow period of population growth. Several old buildings were demolished and replaced by multistory office buildings and hotels, which transformed the look of the city’s inner core. A significant improvement was made to the arterial road system. Suburban areas became critical economic centers, reducing the importance of the city’s center for retail and industrial purposes. As a result of the completion of the Victorian Arts Centre, the city’s cultural life has been dramatically enhanced.

With the end of the White Australia Policy, Melbourne saw the first significant migration of Asians since the gold rush, with large numbers of people from Vietnam, Cambodia, and China. In Melbourne, the Muslim population grew rapidly, and multicultural policies encouraged many ethnic and religious minorities to maintain their identities. The practice of mainstream Christianity declined at the same time, leading to the secularization of public life.

Below are some stunning vintage photos that will take you back to the 1970s in Melbourne

#1 Chapel Street bridge crossing the Yarra River, Melbourne, 1973

Chapel Street bridge crossing the Yarra River, Melbourne, 1973

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#9 Vintage train at Spencer Street and viaduct, Melbourne, 1972

Vintage train at Spencer Street and viaduct, Melbourne, 1972

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#16 Intersection of Swanston and Bourke Streets, Melbourne, 1977

Intersection of Swanston and Bourke Streets, Melbourne, 1977

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#18 Z1 50 in Bourke Street at Elizabeth Street, Melbourne, 1977

Z1 50 in Bourke Street at Elizabeth Street, Melbourne, 1977

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#19 Flinders Street from the corner of Swanston Street, Melbourne, 1978

Flinders Street from the corner of Swanston Street, Melbourne, 1978

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#20 The soon-to-be demolished arcade running alongside the Regent Cinema between Collins Street and Flinders Lane in Melbourne on 26 January 1973.

The soon-to-be demolished arcade running alongside the Regent Cinema between Collins Street and Flinders Lane in Melbourne on 26 January 1973.

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#21 Fletcher Jones Store. The world’s largest store specializing in men’s slacks is Fletcher Jones in Melbourne, 1975

Fletcher Jones Store. The world's largest store specializing in men's slacks is Fletcher Jones in Melbourne, 1975

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#22 Elizabeth Street in Melbourne between Lonsdale and Little Bourke Streets with Myer emporium in the background and the Post Office Hotel in the foreground, 1970

Elizabeth Street in Melbourne between Lonsdale and Little Bourke Streets with Myer emporium in the background and the Post Office Hotel in the foreground, 1970

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#32 Z1 11 in Flinders Street, outside the station, Melbourne, 1978

Z1 11 in Flinders Street, outside the station, Melbourne, 1978

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#37 Interior view of a tramcar, Melbourne, circa 1970s

Interior view of a tramcar, Melbourne, circa 1970s

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#39 News reporters beside the no.50 tram, Melbourne, circa 1970s

News reporters beside the no.50 tram, Melbourne, circa 1970s

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#40 Waiting for public transport to arrive, Melbourne, circa 1970s

Waiting for public transport to arrive, Melbourne, circa 1970s

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#41 Waiting for public transport to arrive, Melbourne, circa 1970s

Waiting for public transport to arrive, Melbourne, circa 1970s

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#44 Aerial view of Collins Street in Melbourne looking west from the City Square on, 1972

Aerial view of Collins Street in Melbourne looking west from the City Square on, 1972

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#45 The corner of Collins and King Streets in Melbourne with the Co-operative Insura, 1973

The corner of Collins and King Streets in Melbourne with the Co-operative Insura, 1973

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#46 Locomotive at Flinders Street Station, Melbourne, Australia, 1970.

Locomotive at Flinders Street Station, Melbourne, Australia, 1970.

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#48 The Partially deserted scene on Broadway (Looking north) as the Melbourne Cup was running. November 02, 1976.

The Partially deserted scene on Broadway (Looking north) as the Melbourne Cup was running. November 02, 1976.

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#49 The Partially deserted scene on Broadway (Looking north) as the Melbourne Cup was running, 1976

The Partially deserted scene on Broadway (Looking north) as the Melbourne Cup was running, 1976

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#50 The Partially deserted scene on Broadway (Looking north) as the Melbourne Cup was running. November 02, 1976.

The Partially deserted scene on Broadway (Looking north) as the Melbourne Cup was running. November 02, 1976.

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#51 P.M.U. Factory in Alice St., Newtown. The factory will close when the company moves its operations to Melbourne, 1976.

P.M.U. Factory in Alice St., Newtown. The factory will close when the company moves its operations to Melbourne, 1976.

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#53 Australian Demonstrators March Against Vietnam War in Melbourne, 1971

Australian Demonstrators March Against Vietnam War in Melbourne, 1971

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#54 Collapsed span of the West Gate Bridge during construction of the cable-stayed bridge over the Yarra River in Melbourne, Australia in October 1970.

Collapsed span of the West Gate Bridge during construction of the cable-stayed bridge over the Yarra River in Melbourne, Australia in October 1970.

The collapse of the span on 15th October killed 35 construction workers to become Australia's worst industrial accident.

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#55 Queen Elizabeth II on a walkabout in Melbourne with Ted Best (1917 – 1992), Lord Mayor of Melbourne, during her tour of Australia, 6th April 1970.

Queen Elizabeth II on a walkabout in Melbourne with Ted Best (1917 - 1992), Lord Mayor of Melbourne, during her tour of Australia, 6th April 1970.

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Written by Aung Budhh

Husband + Father + librarian + Poet + Traveler + Proud Buddhist. I love you with the breath, the smiles and the tears of all my life.

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