The Melbourne International Exhibition was held from October 1, 1880 until April 30, 1881. It was the second international exhibition to be held in Australia, the first being held the previous year in Sydney. 1.5 million people visited the exhibition (including repeat visitors). The population of Melbourne at the time was 280,000.

　　The Royal Exhibition Building, set in the Victorian Carlton Gardens was completed in 1880 to host the exhibition, consisting of over 12,000 square metres of floorspace and temporary annexes. The foundation stone was laid by Victorian governor George Bowen.[1] Some of the original building remains today and is a World Heritage site.

　　The exhibition was modelled on the great exhibitions of Europe, with an aim to promote commerce and industry, along with art, science and education. They also served as a form of entertainment and tourism