Port heritage

Port of Melbourne has a rich history extending back to 1842 when the bank of the Yarra River first served as a wharf. The port contains a diverse range of heritage assets including piers, navigational aids and shipwrecks.

Port of Melbourne seeks to integrate heritage conservation and management into our overall property planning, development and management functions. Our Port Heritage Trail provides more information about the emergence of Port of Melbourne and its trading past.

Heritage sites

Several heritage sites managed by the Port of Melbourne are included on the Victorian Heritage Register and are significant at a state level. They include Gellibrand and Breakwater piers the Rear Leading Light at Port Melbourne and the West Channel Pile Light.

Heritage sites managed by Victorian Ports Corporation (Melbourne) include the Point Lonsdale Lighthouse and Station Pier.

A number of archaeological sites listed on the Victorian Heritage Database and sites of potential indigenous cultural significance lie within the port and port waters. These include:
– Numerous registered shipwrecks in Port Phillip Bay
– Waters of indigenous cultural significance near Station Pier
– Maritime and industrial structures along the banks of the Maribyrnong River
– Black Lighthouse, Queenscliff
– Ann Street Pier
– Stony Creek Backwash area
– Victoria Dock, South Wharf and Webb Dock
– Dee Cottage, Yarraville

Heritage register

For more information, visit Heritage Victoria’s website to find places and shipwrecks on the Victorian Heritage Database.