Down the Yarra Podcast

BGM_Secrets of the Melbourne General Cemetery

Melbourne General Cemetery isn’t just a final resting place-it’s a city of the dead, filled with hidden stories, eerie mysteries, and unexpected secrets.
In this episode of Down the Yarra, we uncover the strange and forgotten history buried among the grand tombs and towering mausoleums. From the missing body of Australia’s 17th prime minister Harold Holt to the stolen grave of Melbourne’s co founder John Pascoe Fawkner, a secret underground vault, and ghostly encounters, this is a cemetery like no other.
And stick around until the end of the episode for a teaser about Melbourne’s most deadliest intersections-the infamous HaymarketRoundabout of Death’.
Follow now and take a walk through history with Down the Yarra.

BGM_The Queen of Markets

The Queen Victoria Market isn’t just a place to grab fresh produce-it’s a cultural icon, a battleground, and a one Melbourne’s beloved institutions. But did you know it was built over the Old Melbourne cemetery, with thousands of bodies still buried beneath the car parks and stalls? Or that in 1971, traders waged an all-out war against the Melbourne city council, hurting rotten cabbages at the police who were in full riot gear in protest of skyrocketing rent hikes?
In this episode of Down the Yarra, we dive into the Queen Vic Market’s fascinating history, its transformation into a bustling foodie paradise, and the looming redevelopment that has traders fearing for their future. Plus, we teaser our next stop, St James’ Old Cathedral, Melbourne’s oldest surviving church-but not in its original location.
Follow now and join us as we uncover the past, present and future of Melbourne’s most famous market.

The Royal Melbourne Zoo-Past, Present and Future

Before the Royal Melbourne Zoo found its home in Royal Park, Melbourne’s wildest residents were once caged on the banks of the Birrarung (Yarra River). Lions, tigers, and exotic birds were housed in rudimentary enclosures, a far cry from the lush habitats we see today. In this episode of Down the Yarra, we uncover the fascinating history of Australia’s oldest zoo-from the early days with iron-barred cages with concrete floors to the grand vision that led to its establishment in 1862.
We’ll explore the forgotten inner circle railway line, which transported visitors directly to the zoo’s gates, and take a look at how the zoo has evolved into a world- leader in wildlife conservation and sustainably. Plus, what does the future hold? Bigger enclosures, rewilding programs, and cutting-edge technology are all on the horizon.
And stick around for the teaser of our next episode-where we head to the Melbourne University to uncover its rich history, hidden stories, and even its Mad Max connection.
Hit play and step back into the wild!

BGM_The Old Sydney Road-Melbourne’s first highway

Long before the Hume Highway, before freeways, motorways or by-passes, there was Old Sydney Road- a roug, treacherous track carved through the bush, connecting Naarm (Melbourne) with Gadigal (Sydney). This episode of Down the Yarra follows the original route from Haymarket “Roundabout of Desth” through Flemington Road, Mount Alexander Road, Pascoe Vale, Somerton, Mickleham, and the onto the historic remnants of Old Sydney Road itself.
We uncover the Indigenous pathways that predated the colonial roads, the bullock teams and stagecoaches that braved the journey, and the gold rush travelers who flooded north in the 1850’s. From the coaching inns of Pascoe Vale to the convict chain gangs of Mickleham, this is a story of movement, survival, and the relentless push northwards.
Plus, in our next episode, we’ll dive into the recent vandalism of John Batman’s maker at the Queen Vic Market-a reminder that Melbourne’s colonial past is still very much a battleground.
Hit play and take a drive through history!

BGM_Haymarket Roundabout: The Circle of Chaos

Melbourne drivers know this all too well well-the infamous Haymarket, where five major roads collide in a chaotic swirl of trams, buses, cars, cyclists, and pedestrians. But how did this intersection/roundabout become such a nightmare?
In this episode of Down the Yarra, we dive into the past, present and future of the‘Roundabout of Death’. From its early days as a bustling marketplace and key junction on the original old Sydney Road, to its mid-20th century transformation into a blend of a roundabout/intersection, and the ongoing debate over its various redesigns-this is a story of one Of Melbourne’s most notorious intersections.
Plus, a teaser for our next episode, where we uncover the forgotten path of the Old Sydney Road, Naarm (Melbourne)’s first route to Sydney before the Hume Highway/Freeway/Motorway ever existed.
Whether you’ve braved Haymarket’s madness or just want to know why it exists, this episode is for you. Tune in now!

BGM_Defacing Batman-History Reckoning, and the Queen Victoria Market

John Batman-the so-called founder of Naarm (Melbourne) or the villain of it’s First Nations people? His name is etched into the city’s history, but it’s also a lightning rod for controversy. Recently, his marker at the Queen Victoria Market was vandalised once again, reigniting debates about his legacy and the deeper stories buried beneath the market itself.
In this episode of Down the Yarra, we dive into Batman’s complex history, the significance of the Queen Vic Market as the former old Melbourne Cemetery, and why Melbourne continues to wrestle with its colonial past. Plus, a teaser for our next episode on the market’s future-will its rich history be preserved, or paved over?
Listen now for a journey into the past, present, and reckoning of one of Naarm (Melbourne)’s most storied locations.

BGM_Yarra Bend Asylum Buried Bodies

Beneath the serene fairways of Yarra Bend Park lies a haunting history that Naarm Melbourne would much rather forget. In this episode of Down the Yarra, we uncover the darkest legacy of the Yarra Bend Asylum, Victoria’s first purpose built and yet largest mental health institution. From the inhuman conditions endured by its residents to the unmarked graves that still lie beneath the greens, this episode sheds light on a past too often buried.
Join us as we explore what it means for a city to pave over its history and the growing calls to remember those who were forgotten.

BGM_Sorrento’s Penal Colony

Long before Melbourne’s bustling streets and iconic landmarks, a penal colony was established on the shores of Port Phillip Bay. In this episode of Down the Yarra, we uncover the story of Sorrento’s forgotten settlement at Sullivan Bay. Why did the British choose this sandy, inhospitable location for one of the first attempts at settlement in Victoria? And why did it fail so quickly?
Join us as we explore the harsh conditions faced by not only the convicts as well as the free settlers, the tense interactions with the Boonwurrung people of the Kulin nation, and the dramatic escapes-including the legendary tale of William Buckley. Discover how this fleeting settlement paved the way for Hobart and left an indelible mark on Victoria’s history,
Don’t miss this fascinating dive into one of Victoria’s most overlooked stories.

BGM_Battle of Yering

In this episode of Down the Yarra, we uncover the story of the Battle of Yering, a pivotal moment in the history of the Wurundjeri people and the Yarra Valley. Set against the backdrop of rising tensions between the European settlers and the Wurundjeri in the early 1840’s, this confrontation embodies resilience and resistance in the face of colonial oppression.
Discover the events that led to the battle, the courage of the Wurundjeri warriors under chief Java Jaga, and the lasting impact of this clash on the history of the region.
Join us as we explore the deeper truths behind this symbolic fight for land, culture, and justice.
Whether you’re a history buff or just curious about the stories that shaped Naarm Melbourne and South Central Victoria, this episode offers a compelling look into the past. Tune in and learn how the legacy of the Battle of Yering continues to resonate today.

BGM_the debate that shaped Melbourne-Batman vs Fawkner

“Two Men”.. One city. A rivalry that defined Naarm Melbournes early years. In this episode of Down the Yarra, we dive into the fiery debate between John Batman and John Pascoe Fawkner, two settlers with competing visions for what would become Naarm Melbourne. Batman, infamous for his controversial treaty with the Wurundjeri Wii Wurrung, sought to create a grazing empire, while Fawkner on the other hand, was a bold entrepreneur, envisioned a thriving urban hub. Their clash over leadership, land, and legacy left an indelible mark on the city’s foundation.
Join us as we unravel this dramatic tale of ambition and power, and stick around for a teaser of our next episode on Melbournes establishment”.