Princes Pier (Port Melbourne)

The 580 metre long Princes Pier was built between 1912 and 1915 and was the third major pier constructed at Port Melbourne. Together with the adjacent Station Pier, it served as a major passenger and cargo terminal in the twentieth century until its closure in 1989. From completion in 1915 until 1969 it was also a major arrival point for new migrants, particularly during the post-war period. In addition to a pier, there was a gatehouse and barriers, terminal building, amenities rooms, goods lockers, ablution blocks, railway sidings and passenger gangways. From opening the pier was linked by rail to the Port Melbourne railway line.

With the containerisation boom the pier became unused, being closed to public access in the early 1990s due to the poor timber condition, and squatters caused a fire in the late 1990s that destroyed the store structures. Restored and modified to allow safe public access, Princes Pier reopened in 2011.

It was known as the New Railway Pier until renamed Prince's Pier after the Prince of Wales (later Edward VIII) who visited Melbourne in May 1920.

Review:

A visit to Princes Pier is an opportunity to experience the history of Victoria. This was the gateway for immigrants to Victoria from the 1830s until the 1970s. They disembarked at Princes Pier and at the nearby Station Pier.

At the end of the restored part of the pier are the old pylons in hypnotising rows stretching into the distance which makes for a wonderful photo opportunity. There are some telescopes at the end of the pier ($2).

The pier is a nice place to wander and there are some interesting information boards and displays on the pier. There are plenty of seats scattered about and good views of cruise ships and the Spirit of Tasmania coming and going at Station Pier plus ships and boats crossing the bay. There are toilets and a water tap on the pier.

There aren't any cafes or restaurants on the pier but there are plenty of eating places around the Station Pier, Bay Street and Beacon Cove areas.

There are cycling and walking tracks along the foreshore plus decent beaches in the area (Sandridge beach, New beach, Station Pier beach and Port Melbourne beach).

The pier makes a nice fishing spot. Anglers of all ages can drop can their lines from the pier into areas where snapper, bream and trevally can be caught. The maze of pylons can often hide bigger fish. On either side of the pier, if you cast further out you can catch Australian Salmon and big flathead. The area is fairly free from snags.

The pier is located a short distance from Station Pier where the Spirit of Tasmania berths and is located next to the sandy New Beach.

There is ticketed parking near Station Pier and some fairly limited free parking in the surrounding streets. Tram 109 goes to Port Melbourne and the closest stop to Princes Pier is Stop 129 (Beacon Cove/Station Pier).

Photos:

Location

2 Pier Street, Port Melbourne 3207 Map