In the 1970s, Melbourne’s growth rate slowed as immigration declined and economic conditions worsened. Yet, several significant changes occurred during this slow period of population growth. Several old buildings were demolished and replaced by multistory office buildings and hotels, which transformed the look of the city’s inner core. A significant improvement was made to the arterial road system. Suburban areas became critical economic centers, reducing the importance of the city’s center for retail and industrial purposes. As a result of the completion of the Victorian Arts Centre, the city’s cultural life has been dramatically enhanced.
With the end of the White Australia Policy, Melbourne saw the first significant migration of Asians since the gold rush, with large numbers of people from Vietnam, Cambodia, and China. In Melbourne, the Muslim population grew rapidly, and multicultural policies encouraged many ethnic and religious minorities to maintain their identities. The practice of mainstream Christianity declined at the same time, leading to the secularization of public life.
Below are some stunning vintage photos that will take you back to the 1970s in Melbourne
#1 Hawthorn Road, Melbourne, 1971
#2 Melbourne tram, 1970
#3 Bourke Street, Melbourne, 1970
#4 Flinders Street station, Melbourne, 1970
#5 Melbourne dock, 1970
#6 Bourke Street, Melbourne, 1971
#7 Melbourne street scenes, 1971
#8 William Street, Melbourne, 1972
#9 Bourke Street, Melbourne, 1973
#10 Chapel Street bridge crossing the Yarra River, Melbourne, 1973
#11 St Kilda Road, Melbourne, 1973
#12 Bourke Street, Melbourne, 1974
#13 Little Collins Street, Melbourne, 1974
#14 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne, 1977
#15 Intersection of Swanston and Bourke Streets, Melbourne, 1977
#16 Spencer Street, Melbourne, 1977
#17 Z1 50 in Bourke Street at Elizabeth Street, Melbourne, 1977
#18 Flinders Street from the corner of Swanston Street, Melbourne, 1978
#19 The soon-to-be demolished arcade running alongside the Regent Cinema between Collins Street and Flinders Lane in Melbourne on 26 January 1973.

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That arcade is still called Regent Place but it’s more or less just the driveway for the Westin Hotel. At least the Plaza got done up.
#20 Fletcher Jones Store. The world’s largest store specializing in men’s slacks is Fletcher Jones in Melbourne, 1975
#21 Elizabeth Street in Melbourne between Lonsdale and Little Bourke Streets with Myer emporium in the background and the Post Office Hotel in the foreground, 1970
#22 Collins street, Melbourne, 1970s
#23 Government house in Melbourne, 1970s
#24 City of Auckland Ship at Melbourne dock, 1970
#25 Luna Park, Melbourne, 1970
#26 Vintage train at Spencer Street and viaduct, Melbourne, 1972
#27 Malvern East, line 3, Melbourne, 1973

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Actually Carlisle St. Balaclava.
#28 Malvern East, line 3, Melbourne, 1973
#29 Melbourne street scenes, 1974
#30 Melbourne street scene, 1975
#31 Swanston and Collins Streets, Melbourne, 1978
#32 Flinders Street railway station, Melbourne, 1979
#33 Melbourne, 1979
#34 Along the East Brunswick tram route, circa 1970s
#35 Bourke Street, Melbourne, circa 1970s
#36 Interior view of a tramcar, Melbourne, circa 1970s
#37 Melbourne tram, circa 1970s
#38 News reporters beside the no.50 tram, Melbourne, circa 1970s
#39 Waiting for public transport to arrive, Melbourne, circa 1970s
#40 Waiting for public transport to arrive, Melbourne, circa 1970s
#41 Old Mint Macquarie Street, 1971
#42 The rag trade area of Melbourne, 1972
#43 Aerial view of Collins Street in Melbourne looking west from the City Square on, 1972
#44 The corner of Collins and King Streets in Melbourne with the Co-operative Insura, 1973
#45 Locomotive at Flinders Street Station, Melbourne, Australia, 1970.
#46 An avenue of the city of Melbourne, 1970
#47 The Partially deserted scene on Broadway (Looking north) as the Melbourne Cup was running. November 02, 1976.

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Wasn’t it raining heavily during the running of the 1976 Melbourne Cup, won by Van Der Hum?