Batmania was the first name given to what is now Melbourne, Australia. After founder, John Batman.
Before Melbourne became the City of Melbourne, it was called Batmania, Bearbrass, Bearport, Bareheap and Bearbury.
Some of these names were derived from the Aboriginal name for the area which was Berren or Bararing, plus there was the Big Miam Miam (as they termed the Town plenty of white Bread).
In 1835, an entrepreneurial grazier and explorer by the name of John Batman sailed from Launceston across to Port Philip Bay and found the site that is now central Melbourne. He noted in his diary, “This will be the place for a village” and declared the land Batmania.
Batman and his associates paid members of the Wurundjeri clan 40 blankets, 30 axes, 100 knives, 50 scissors, 30 mirrors, 200 handkerchiefs, 100 pounds of flour, and six shirts for what is now Melbourne.
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