The following is a description of Heidelberg published in
Victoria and its metropolis, Volume 2 in 1888 p 732-733 by Alexander Sutherland
“Heidelberg shire has an area of 41 square miles, and a population of 3000 persons. The district is cultivated for market gardening and vine and fruit growing, considerable dairy-farming being also carried on. The towns within the metropolitan district in this shire are: Heidelberg, situated on the Yarra River, about eight miles N.E. of Melbourne. The locality is an exceedingly picturesque one, affording views of green hills sloping into rich flats and valleys under a high state of cultivation. Heidelberg is a favourite place of resort for picnic and other pleasure parties. There is a cheese factory in the township and the Victorian Agricultural Society holds its annual show there in March. Other places are Alphington and Ivanhoe, six and a-half miles from Melbourne.”
Image: People on wooden bridge in Heidelberg Park. Proclaimed in 1874, the park was laid out by Sir William Guilfoyle in the early 1880s. Photo Heidelberg Historical Society in partnership with Yarra Plenty Regional Library
