Cremorne Gardens, Melbourne
Cremorne Gardens was a pleasure garden established in 1853 on the banks of the Yarra River at Richmond in Melbourne, Australia. The gardens were established by James Ellis who had earlier managed and leased similar gardens of the same name on the banks of the River Thames at Chelsea in London. He had been declared bankrupt and emigrated to Australia to take advantage of the business opportunities made possible by the Victorian gold rush and its accompanying population explosion. His first venture in the entertainment world in Melbourne was Astley's Amphitheatre, but his experiences in catering in London inclined him to a profit making business with a wider basis. Because of previous experience he had established contacts in the theatrical world of London. He took advantage of them to create a venue with viable entertainments to divert the population of the rapidly expanding capital of the new Australian state where entertainment was demanded by a predominantly male society.
Paddlesteamer Gondola on its way to Cremorne Gardens 1855 near the original Princes Bridge, Melbourne.
Lithograph of Cremorne Gardens in 1862
Cremorne Gardens as they were ca.1860. From a plan prepared by Mr. W. Jamieson of the Lands department. Key to numbers: 1. Higgins's Pantechnicon, 2. Kirk's house, 3. trestles and tightrope, 4. Coppin's house, 5. side shows, 6. Pantheon Theatre, 7. refreshment booth, 8. Crystal Bar, 9. gasometer, 10. landing stage for gondolas, 11. Peachman's Hotel, 12. Cherry Tree Hotel
The Yarra River or historically, the Yarra Yarra River, is a perennial river in south-central Victoria, Australia.
The Yarra River in Melbourne CBD, November 2010
Yarra River at night panorama, February 2005
Photograph of wool washing sheds in and on banks of Yarra River in late 19th century
Melbourne Landing, 1840; watercolour by W. Liardet (1840)
