In his journal, John Pascoe Fawkner describes the first European burial at Burial Hill.

"The funeral started from the House of Death at 1/2 Past 4 P.M. Attended by the Undertaker Mr. Wm. Diprose. Two carriers, one man to carry a shovel etc. and J. P. Fawkner, Joseph Tice Gellibrand, Dr.A Thompson and the father of the Child - upon arriving at the burial ground Found Mrs Thompson and Daughter there, Buckley, Mr Batman and a black boy- Dr. Cottar came there. Dr Thompson read the Funeral service, I acted as Clerk. The Funeral gave rise in my mind to many serious thoughts: onlooking into the grave (about 6 feet Deep) the wet and cold appearance caused my flesh to revolt at the thoughts of the cold damp dark doleful depository of the body when the mortal, spark has fled.

Here is only one grave in a Burial Ground of Ten Acres, the first Natural death in this New Settlement commenced by me on the 31 of August, Monday, which day my people and Horses Landed Having been ten days exploring the river and getting Vessel up. One death in Just Ten Months. Our present population is 179. Eight Persons landed then and one consigned to the Tomb, how many more would there be committed to the dark house within the Next Five years, how many will Strong drink hurry there prematurely. I fear a great many. Well I hate the grave, let my mortal remains be placed on a pile of Timber and reduced to ashes, this will prevent the Loathsome worms from preying upon me."

Burial Hill is one of the sites visted in the White Hat Tours' City Walking Tour.

Recommended books: (available from )

• Life and Times of John Pascoe Fawkner
• Melbourne's missing chronicle : being the journal of preparation for departure to and proceedings at Port Philip