With the gold rush largely over by 1860, Melbourne continued to grow on the back of continuing gold mining, as the major port for exporting the agricultural products of Victoria, especially wool, and a developing manufacturing sector protected by high tariffs. An extensive radial railway network centred on Melbourne and spreading out across the suburbs and into the countryside was established from the late 1850s. Further major public buildings were begun in the 1860s and 1870s such as the Supreme Court, Government House, and the Queen Victoria Market. The central city filled up with shops and offices, workshops, and warehouses. Large banks and hotels faced the main streets, with fine townhouses in the east end of Collins Street, contrasting with tiny cottages down laneways within the blocks. The Aboriginal population continued to decline with an estimated 80% total decrease by 1863, due primarily to introduced diseases, particularly smallpox, frontier violence and dispossession from their lands.
When was the gold rush over in Melbourne? How did Melbourne grow as major port for exporting the agricultural products? What was protected by high tarriffs? In 1863, why was Aboriginal population declining? By what year was the gold rush largely over? What was one of the major agricultural products of Victoria around 1860? What were some of the reasons the Aboriginal population continued to recline? Which disease in particular caused the Aboriginal population to continue a decline? The Aboriginal population declined by what estimated percentage by 1863?