Melbourne in nonfiction
It's no secret we think Melbourne is a fabulous city! Whether you're wanting to learn more about its hidden secrets, history or just marvel at its art, architecture and laneways there are plenty of books to suit. We've selected a few favourites, new and old, to help get you started.
The Story of Melbourne's Lanes: Essential but Unplanned by Weston Bate, Richard Broome, Nicole Davis, Andrew J. May & Helen Stitt
This is a history of Melbourne's lanes over the 180 years from their creation in the 1840s until 2024. Every Melburnian should have a copy of this gorgeous, lavishly-illustrated hardback.
This book is a Royal Historical Society of Victoria publication (in partnership with the State Library of Victoria) which expands on a popular but now well out-of-print book by historian Weston Bate, Essential but Unplanned: The Story of Melbourne’s Lanes (1994). The new book more than doubles the size of the old, with extra chapters to bring the story of Melbourne’s lanes up-to-date. And there is a multitude of new photos – both contemporary and historical, both colour and black-and-white!
Humans in Melbourne Vol. 2 by Chris Cincotta
Chris Cincotta has returned with volume 2 of his bestselling book Humans in Melbourne. In this book, Chris has photographed more people and captured more stories to get at the essence of Melbourne and why people love the city!
Humans in Melbourne Vol. 2 features over 100 stories and interviews; whether you end up laughing uncontrollably or shedding tears, there is something here for everyone as each page unveils another piece of Melbourne's heart.
Fitzroy 1974 by Robert Ashton
First published in 1974, Into the Hollow Mountains was a landmark book, featuring black-and-white images taken by Robert Ashton around the Melbourne suburb of Fitzroy, alongside original writing from local creatives including Helen Garner. Now published with new writing edited by novelist Gregory Day, Fitzroy 1974 presents an authentic record of what it was like to live and work in one of Australia’s most bohemian enclaves, offering a glimpse into one of its most influential suburbs at a pivotal time in history.
And don't miss Old Vintage Melbourne and Old Vintage Melbourne, 1960-1990 by Chris Macheras
A Clear Flowing Yarra by Harry Saddler
They say you can't step in the same river twice, and it's true that the Yarra has been hugely changed – but this book is a glorious and timely reminder that things can also be changed for the better.
Nature writer Harry Saddler hops, skips and jumps his way along, beside, on and even in the Yarra River from source to mouth, reveling in its hidden beauty, getting close to platypuses, kingfishers, Krefft's gliders and the occasional seal, and meeting many of the swimmers, bushwalkers, ecologists and traditional owners who are quietly and tenaciously restoring the river, patch by patch.
Optimistic, inspiring and heartfelt, A Clear Flowing Yarra is a passionate love letter to the river that shapes Melbourne, and an evocative vision of what it is now and what it can be.
Yarra Birrarung: Artists, Writers and the River by Judith Buckrich
Yarra Birrarung: Artists, Writers and the River is an illustrated history of life on the Yarra. Through the lens of artists and writers, the book explores how life has flourished on the river, including recreation, industry and land use, as well as infrastructure, natural history and social history.
This is the first comprehensive illustrated story of the Yarra River over the past 200 years, examined through the lives of its creatives.
Yarra: The History of Melbourne's Murky River by Kristin Otto
It was John Wedge, Batman’s private surveyor, who named the Yarra Yarra. In September 1835 he was at the Turning Basin with some Kulin and heard them identify the river as it came over the Falls as, he wrote, ‘Yarrow Yarrow’. It was only some months later that Wedge discovered they had been referring to the pattern and movement of water over the Falls, not the river itself.
And ever since, it has been the Yarra’s fate to be misunderstood: maligned for its muddiness, ill-used as sewer and tip; scooped, sculpted, straightened and stressed, ‘cleaned up’ to the detriment of its natural inhabitants; built-over, under and beside; worked mercilessly and then bridged almost to maritime extinction.
In Kristin Otto’s new history, the whole sorry tale is laid bare. From the creation stories of Kulin owners and geologist blow-ins to the twenty-first-century waterside building boom, Otto traces the course of Melbourne’s murky river.
For younger readers try: Wilam: A Birrarung Story by Aunty Joy Murphy, Andrew Kelly & Lisa Kennedy (illus.)
1835 by James Boyce
With the founding of Melbourne in 1835, a flood of settlers began spreading out across the Australian continent. In three years more land – and more people – was conquered than in the preceding fifty.
In 1835 James Boyce brings this pivotal moment to life. He traces the power plays in Hobart, Sydney and London, and describes the key personalities of Melbourne's early days. He conjures up the Australian frontier – its complexity, its rawness and the way its legacy is still with us today. And he asks the poignant question largely ignored for 175 years: could it have been different?
The Birth of Melbourne by Tim Flannery
In 1835, John Batman sailed up the Yarra and was astonished by the beauty of the land. It was a temperate Kakadu, teeming with wildlife and with soils rich enough to spawn pastoral empires. With the discovery of gold, the city was transformed almost overnight into ‘marvellous Melbourne’. And yet, as Tim Flannery writes, the price paid was environmental ruin and the tragic loss of societies which had flourished on Port Phillip Bay for millennia.
The Birth of Melbourne includes voices that range from tribal elders to Chinese immigrants, from governors to criminals. Among many others, John Pascoe Fawkner, Georgiana McCrae, J. B. Were, Antoine Fauchery, Ned Kelly, Marcus Clarke, Anthony Trollope and Rudyard Kipling contribute to this biography of our most surprising city.
Corners of Melbourne by Robyn Annear
What better defines a city than its street corners? A corner gives you a starting point, a destination and a place to turn. It’s furnished with pillar boxes, newsstands, and lampposts for light and lounging. Where would you be likeliest to find a pub? At the corner, of course. And who better than Robyn Annear to usher you around the corners of Melbourne, and reveal their bizarre, baroque and mostly forgotten stories?
And don't miss these other books by beloved Melbourne historian Robyn Annear: Adrift in Melbourne, A City Lost & Found: Whelan the Wrecker’s Melbourne, and Bearbrass
Melbourne Ghost Signs by Sean Reynolds
From the gold-rush years to the Swinging Sixties, from Robur Tea to Tarax soft drinks, Melbourne can never settle. In a process of continual renewal, old buildings are incorporated into new, both uncovering and obscuring snippets of history. Ghost signs provide hints to our heritage. From hand-painted letters and intricate glasswork to old factory marketing brands this book takes us on a photographic tour of the faded signs and half-hidden logos of Melbourne, revealing the historic tales of this ever-changing city.
Naarm/Melbourne Neighbourhoods by Dale Campisi
Join Melburnian Dale Campisi on a stroll around this city of villages in Naarm/Melbourne Neighbourhoods, learning how each locale's history and contemporary culture contribute to the uniqueness of the Victorian capital city.
This book is filled with stories and histories that unearth the quirky character of the city and its neighbourhoods, from tales of Wurundjeri and Bunurong Traditional Owners, to surveyor Robert Hoddle's original street plan, to South Melbourne dimmies. It's these stories that not only showcase Melbourne's variety of people, scenes and cultures, but also uncover the threads that connect Melbourne to the rest of the country and the world.
Madame Brussels by Barbara Minchinton with Philip Bentley
Madame Brussels, the most legendary brothel keeper in nineteenth-century Melbourne, is still remembered and celebrated today. But until now, little has been known about Caroline Hodgson, the woman behind the alter ego.
Born in Prussia to a working-class family, Caroline arrived in Melbourne in 1871. Left alone when her police-officer husband was sent to work in remote Victoria, she turned her hand to running brothels. Before long, she had proved herself brilliantly entrepreneurial: her principal establishment was a stone's throw from Parliament House, lavishly furnished and catered to Melbourne's ruling classes.
Caroline rode Melbourne's boom in the 1880s, weathered the storm of the depression years in the 1890s and suffered in the moral panic of the 1900s. Her death in 1908 signified the end of one kind of Melbourne and the beginning of another.
Also by Barbara Minchinton is The Women of Little Lon
The Broadsheet Melbourne Cookbook: The New Classics by Broadsheet Media
In 2015 the tastemakers at Broadsheet captured the Melbourne dining zeitgeist with The Broadsheet Melbourne Cookbook. Now comes a brand-new snapshot of the city's thriving culinary scene, noticeably more mature now. The Broadsheet Melbourne Cookbook: The New Classics features recipes for 80 of the city's most-ordered breakfast, lunch and dinner dishes, as selected by Broadsheet.
Venues include: Soi 38, Tedesca Osteria, Hope Street Radio, Manzé, Embla, Enter Via Laundry, France-Soir, Gimlet, Grill Americano, Nomad, Reine, Stokehouse, Florian, A1 Bakery, Pidapipó, Tarts Anon and more.
Tipo 00 by Andreas Papadakis
Greek chef Andreas Papadakis opened his tiny, cultish Melbourne pasta bar because he couldn't find what he wanted: an exceptional bowl of pasta made with the very best ingredients and served all day. He was obviously on to something because word spread fast and soon pasta people from near and far were joining the queue.
A decade on, Andreas has documented more than 80 recipes that embody the best of Tipo 00 and the ethos that drives it, and demonstrate why a booking remains a coveted thing. All the favourites are here, from asparagus ravioli with parmesan cream to cocoa paccheri with pine mushrooms and pine nuts to gnocchi with duck and porcini ragu, to the famously delicious tipomisu dessert and a fast version of everyone's favourite focaccia.
Tarts Anon: Sweet and Savoury Tart Brilliance by Gareth Whitton & Catherine Way
Tarts Anon does one thing exceptionally well – tarts – and in this cookbook the team behind the legend reveal the secrets to making the perfect one for every occasion. Tarts Anon: Sweet and Savoury Tart Brilliance is your guide to baking a stunning tart, every time.
Featuring 50 different recipes: from beloved classics such as Plain Old Lemon and Vanilla Custard to more out-of-the-box offerings like Black Forest Tart; savoury crowd-pleasers like Mushroom and Parmesan, and truly celebratory tarts like the Saint Honoré, this book contains all the knowledge and inspiration you need to become a tart master.
Uses for Obsession: A (Chef’s) Memoir by Ben Shewry
Chef and restaurateur Ben Shewry knows obsession well. Whether it's crispy-edged lasagne, saltwater crocodile ribs or the perfect potato, obsession is what motivates him and what makes him tick. It's also what has propelled his Melbourne restaurant Attica into the league of the most innovative, acclaimed dining experiences in the world, and one of the most vital in Australian history.
In this absorbing and wide-ranging memoir meets manifesto, Shewry applies his sometimes searing, sometimes comic eye to creative freedom in the kitchen, food journalism, sexism in hospitality, the fraud of the farm-to-table sustainability ethos, the cult of the chef, cooking as muse and the legendary Family Bolognese.
65,000 Years: A Short History of Australian Art edited by Marcia Langton & Judith Ryan
Long before Britain's invasion of Australia in 1788, First Peoples' cultural and design traditions flourished for thousands of generations. Their art shaped the continent as we know it today and the societies that thrived here; but these continuing artistic practices and new art forms were disregarded by the settlers, and not considered to be 'fine art' until the late 1980s.
In this publication, twenty-five writers urge us to reconsider the art history that is unique to the Australian continent and to acknowledge its rise to prominence in modern times. Featuring new writing by leading thinkers across generations and disciplines, it celebrates Indigenous Australian art across media, time and language groups. Today Indigenous art and artists are at the forefront of contemporary art practice. In very real and tangible ways, this publication reveals the artistic brilliance of Australia's First Peoples and stands as a testament to their resilience.
The Diaries of Fred Williams 1963-1970 by Patrick McCaughey
Fred Williams kept a daily diary from 1963 until his death in 1982. Disciplined and meticulous, he recorded life in the studio, family life and his contact with artists, dealers and the art world. These diaries contain studied reflections on Williams’ own art, as well as comments about his contemporaries, and offer an intimate picture of a major Australian artist at work. This is a generous and insightful glimpse into the private life and creative process of a giant of Australian landscape painting.
Charles and Barbara Blackman: A Decade of Art and Love by Christabel Blackman
Set against the burgeoning cultural art scene of 1950s Melbourne, among the soon-to become legendary artists of the Heide group, Christabel Blackman weaves the story of Charles and Barbara Blackman and the influence they had on each other, and on the Australian art world. With over 160 artworks from Charles Blackman, as well as never-before-seen sketches, many evocative letters, documents and photos, it is a beautiful and revealing portrait of two people, their art, and a world they changed forever.
Barbara Tucker: The Art of Being by Hermina Burns
Barbara Tucker: The Art of Being presents a multifaceted view of Tucker and the life she made with her artist husband Albert. Inspired by accounts of family, friends and admirers attending her memorial, it contains speeches, essays, memoirs and a photo journal.
The collection contains contributions from Heide Museum of Modern Art and other institutions that benefited from her foresight and generosity. Tucker emerges not just as a woman bound by the role prescribed in her times, but as a complex person with a great gift for friendship, as well as an artist's advocate, agent, defender and facilitator who should carry her own story, independently and unobscured, alongside the story of Albert Tucker and art in Australia.
Also a shout out to our amazing Visual Arts buyer Zoë Croggon, whose book How to Cut an Orange was released this year; and to Oslo Davis whose brilliant cartoons appear in the Readings Monthly and on our website. His book, Oslo's Melbourne, is the perfect gift for every proud Melburnian.
The Season by Helen Garner
It's footy season in Melbourne, and Helen Garner is following her grandson's suburban team. She turns up not only at every game (give or take), but at every training session, shivering on the sidelines in the dark, fascinated by the spectacle.
She's a passionate Western Bulldogs supporter (with a rather shaky grasp of the rules) and a great admirer of the players and the epic theatre of the game. But this is something more than that. It is a chance to connect with her youngest grandchild, to be close to him in his last moments as a child and in his headlong rush into manhood. To witness his triumphs and defeats, to fear for his safety in battle, to gasp and to cheer for the team as it fights its way towards the finals.
The Football War: The VFA and VFL’s Battle for Supremacy by Xavier Fowler
In the shadow of the impending Second World War, a battle for control kicked off between two rival factions in Australian Rules football-the powerful upstart Victorian Football League, comprising the strongest inner-city clubs, and the struggling Victorian Football Association, which sought new teams and spectators in Melbourne's growing outer suburbs. The conflict spilled out of Victoria, inciting division and discord in almost every corner of the country.
Woven through Xavier Fowler's lively history are the stories of iconic players whose lives and careers were fundamentally altered by the conflict as they crisscrossed the breach, including Australian Football Hall of Famers Ron Todd, Laurie Nash, Jack Dyer and Bob Pratt.
Able by Dylan Alcott
Dylan Alcott has never let his disability get in the way of what he wanted to achieve. His family treated him no differently to any other kid, and it was the best thing they ever did. Growing up, Dylan always had a positive attitude to life. So when he discovered sport, he’d have a go at anything and could always be found at the centre of the action, giving his best and playing to win. Then he tried wheelchair basketball and tennis and was hooked.
Fast forward ten years or so, and the now three-time Paralympic gold medallist, Order of Australia recipient, world No 1 tennis champion, Logie winner and philanthropist combines elite sport with a love for music. But Dylan’s greatest passion is changing the way those with disabilities are perceived, and to inspire young people – whether they have disabilities or are able-bodied – to achieve their dreams. It’s a passion that drives him every day.
No Spin by Shane Warne with Mark Nicholas
Everyone knows the story, or thinks they do. The leg-spinner who rewrote the record books. One of Wisden's five cricketers of the twentieth century. A sporting idol across the globe. A magnet for the tabloids. But the millions of words written and spoken about Shane Warne since his explosive arrival on the Test cricket scene in 1992 have only scratched the surface. The real story has remained untold.
In No Spin, Shane sets the record straight. From his extraordinary family history to his childhood as a budding Aussie Rules footballer in suburban Melbourne. From the legendary 'Gatting ball' to his history-making 700th Test wicket. From the controversy surrounding the diuretic pill in South Africa to his high-profile relationship with Hollywood star Elizabeth Hurley. Nothing is off limits, and Shane tackles it all with his trademark directness and humour.
Lonely Planet Pocket Melbourne
Lonely Planet's local travel experts reveal all you need to know to plan the ultimate short trip to Melbourne – and discover twice the city in half the time!
Discover Melbourne's most popular experiences, must-see attractions, and unexpected surprises – neighbourhood by neighbourhood – with our handy-sized Pocket travel guide. From exploring Flinders Lane's street art, to learning about Victoria's indigenous history at the Melbourne Museum, and slurping fresh oysters at South Melbourne Market.
Neighbourhood Guide to Cycling Naarm – Melbourne by Trent Holden & Kate Morgan
No lycra? No worries. This is a fun, accessible guidebook for riders of all ages and levels, whether you zoom around the city on your fixie on a daily basis or if it’s been a few years (or decades) since you’ve dusted off your rusty old bicycle. Throughout you’ll find helpful tips and tricks on everything from basic bike repair to cycling etiquette.
Featuring a number of easy-to-navigate itineraries with maps and illustrations, the book is divided into neighbourhood routes, cycling trails and daytrip trails. You’ll be cruising down backstreets to get an authentic taste for Collingwood, Richmond, St Kilda and more. If riding on the road is a little daunting then this book might be more your cup of tea, taking you on dedicated bike paths through city bushland and along the bay.
Day Trip Melbourne by Evi O & Andrew Grune
With a trip for every week of the year, Day Trip Melbourne takes you to mountains, waterfalls, swimming holes, beaches, forests, coastlines, snow trails, urban parks, Aboriginal sites, rivers, canyons, cliffs, historic architecture and more. Each adventure includes directions by car or public transport, a map showing walking routes and facilities, and a guide to trip highlights. There are trips for everyone – families, solo adventurers, furry friends – all within 130 kilometres of the city centre.
Melbourne is often lauded as Australia's cultural centre, but there is so much more to appreciate when you escape the urban chaos and explore its natural wonders, from vast sweeping coastlines and snowy peaks to gurgling streams and fluorescent wattle. Whether you're a local or a first-time visitor, Day Trip Melbourne will ignite your nomadic spirit.
