Computing in Melbourne: A Historical Tour

Melbourne has several remarkable links to the earliest days of computers. Here we describe a tour that takes in many of these places, and can be done by a combination of walking and tram travel. The tour is a chance to explore another dimension of Melbourne's history and to better understand how computers have changed science, business and society. 1. Monash Museum of Computing History 2. Site of Albert Park Barracks and DSD 3. Melbourne's Silicon Mile: St Kilda Road and Fitzroy Street 4. Stanhill 5. Melbourne Observatory: Melbourne's first computer room 6. Victoria Barracks: Australia's first supercomputer 7. St Paul's Cathedral: the Babbage connection 8. National Mutual: Smalltalk-80's Australian debut 9. Site of Australia's first telegraph 10. Lonsdale Exchange 11. State Library of Victoria: Vicnet and Pictoria 12. ICI House 13. Melbourne Museum: CSIRAC 14. Site Australia's first internet connection 15. Physics Museum, University of Melbourne 16. Old Physics, University of Melbourne: CSIRAC's first Victorian home From time to time we organise group tours to visit most of the places described. The tours are free (apart from the cost of tram travel and whatever you may buy at cafes on the way), but bookings are essential as capacity is limited. If you would like to join a future organised tour, please register your interest.