Hi Rod, If you can get hold of a copy of this book titled - "Bearbrass: Imagining Early Melbourne" by Robyn Annear, http://books.google.com.au/books?id=T30wBB5kPN0C&pg=PR12&dq=book+bearbrass&hl=en&ei=K1lATILoE4_CcafPrNUP&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CC4Q6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=book%20bearbrass&f=false you will get a good idea of what Melbourne was like in those early days. Although it deals mainly with the time period before your ancestors arrival (that is, from the founding of Melbourne up to the goldrush years) it is well written, full of useful information and gives a good impression of what the place was like back then. The information Steve has provided is correct but I'd like to add that if your ship anchored in Hobson's Bay in 1855 it is possible that your people travelled up the Yarra by steamer. By 1855 paddle steamers and screw steamers had been in use on the Yarra and in Port Phillip Bay. Cheers, Barry Howard, Victoria, Australia. On 16/07/2010 9:26 PM, Rod & Glen Smith wrote: >>I'm interested in what it was like for immigrants arriving in Melbourne in October 1855. The family in question were on the Shalimar and according to the Argus it arrived in Hobsons Bay on 17 October. Would that have been Williamstown? How would the family have travelled then on to South Yarra? Does anybody know of any writing or reference describing the scene for such family arrivals? Thanks. Rod Smith, Wellington, New Zealand. <<