The Port

Location

'The Port' complex is situated within the southern corner of Port Melbourne, between Bay Street and the adjoining suburb of Albert Park. The complex is bordered by Graham Street, Esplanade East, Rouse Street and Esplanade West.

Port Melbourne is located approximately 5km southwest of Melbourne's Central Business District and falls within the Local Government areas of the City of Melbourne and the City of Port Phillip. 'The Port' complex is within the City of Port Phillip.

'The Port' complex is a 5 minute walk to the heart of Port Melbourne - Bay Street. Bay Street has an abundance of cafes, restaurants and shops.

Port Melbourne is also where Melbourne's Station Pier is located - Melbourne's primary passenger terminal.

History

The area known as Port Melbourne was first settled in 1839 by Wilbraham Liardet, who established a hotel, jetty, and mail service. It was initially known as Liardet's Beach, though soon took on the official name of Sandridge, and finally Port Melbourne in 1884.

The area that 'The Port' complex now sits on was originally a lagoon that stretched back from the bay a little over a kilometre and ran between the East and West Esplanades, with bridges providing safe passage across. During high tide it was twenty seven acres in size and plunged to a depth of about ten feet between the Rouse and Graham Street bridges.

The lagoon, however, was not to have a maritime future, instead it underwent a process of gradual filling in throughout the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. By 1929 the process was complete and the lagoon was completely filled. A portion of the reclaimed land was acquired by the Department of Defence during the Second World War to establish the HMAS Lonsdale shore establishment.

In 1992 the HMAS Lonsdale naval base was closed and the area was turned into a residential zone.

'The Port' complex also shares within its boundaries a site of historical significance. Along Esplanade West is the 1891 Pumping Station building that still pumps floodwaters during heavy rainfall. A reminder of the area's lagoon past.

Public Transport

Getting to and from 'The Port' complex is possible via a number of public transport options:

Tram Route 109
With its terminus near Station Pier the 109 Tram Route travels along the light rail track to Southbank, heading on to Box Hills via Collins Street in the CBD.
Distance from 'The Port' complex: ~1000m
Tram Route 1
Starting at Beconsfield Parade on Victoria Street, Albert Park, the number 1 Tram Route travels through South Melbourne to St Kilda Road and along Swanston Street towards Coburg.
Distance from 'The Port' complex: ~800m
Bus Routes 250, 251 & 253
Travelling along Bay Street from near the Corner of Graham Street the 250, 251 & 253 bus routes travel into the CBD along Queen Street, turning up Lonsdale Street before heading towards Latrobe University (Route 250), Northland Shopping Centre in Preston (Route 251) and North Carlton (Route 253).
Distance from 'The Port' complex: ~600m