Victoria’s history begins over 40,000 years ago with its First Nations peoples, most notably the tribes of the Kulin Nation in the central region, the Gunai/Kurnai in the east, and the Maar in the west, who maintained deep spiritual and sustainable connections to the land. European exploration of the coast occurred in the late 18th century, but the first permanent European settlement wasn't established until 1834 at Portland, followed by the founding of Melbourne in 1835 by settlers from Tasmania.
Originally part of the Port Phillip District of New South Wales, Victoria became a separate colony in 1851. That same year, gold was discovered, triggering the Victorian Gold Rush. This transformed the colony almost overnight, bringing a massive influx of immigrants from Europe, North America, and China. By the mid-1850s, Melbourne was one of the wealthiest cities in the world. This era also saw the 1854 Eureka Stockade in Ballarat, an armed rebellion by miners that is widely regarded as the birthplace of Australian democracy.
Victoria played a leading role in the Federation of Australia in 1901, with Melbourne serving as the nation's temporary capital until Canberra was established in 1927. The post-World War II era saw a massive wave of European migration, particularly from Italy, Greece, and later from Southeast Asia, fundamentally shaping Victoria's modern multicultural identity. Today, it continues to grow rapidly, driven by international migration and economic diversification.