Maritime history
While today, the Port of Melbourne revolves around modern
services and facilities it also maintains links with the history of
Melbourne itself and Victoria’s fascinating maritime heritage. The
development of Melbourne and its port has been rapid and dynamic as
outlined on our brief History of the
port page.
Many of the navigation structures still in use today have great
historic significance. Major maintenance work on Coles Channel pile
light and West Channel pile lights, the redesign and rebuilding of
Monash Light at Point Nepean, and the refurbishment of Point
Lonsdale Lighthouse and Queenscliff Low Lighthouse have ensured
these aids provide a suitable service for modern shipping, while
preserving their historic character.
In 2002, the Victorian Channels Authority
(VCA) (a predecessor organisation of Port of Melbourne Corporation) and Heritage
Victoria worked together to substantially restore the Point Lonsdale lighthouse . The current concrete structure, built in 1902,
replaced an earlier wooden lighthouse at the same location. In 1997,
the VCA donated the historic wooden boat, Eureka to the
Melbourne-based sail training vessel the Alma Doepel.
Find more information about
Victoria’s maritime history:
Melbourne Maritime Museum
(Polly Woodside)
Queenscliffe Maritime Museum |
