The area was originally occupied by the Wurundjeri, Indigenous Australians of the Kulin nation, who spoke variations of the Woiwurrung language group. After European settlement, the area was used for agriculture, predominantly orchards. A small settlement was established in the 1860s, known as Waldau, which was home to many German settlers, who planted the large areas of pine trees that still exist today. "German Lane" was the original name for George Street, and "Bismarck Street" the original name for Victoria Street. The names were replaced during the First World War and the present names adopted.