Port Melbourne in Port Phillip, Victoria, Australia — Oceania

Welcome to Port Melbourne

Photographed by Dean Barton-Ancliffe, September 29, 2026

1. Welcome to Port Melbourne Marker

Inscription. The earliest inhabitants of the area now known as the City of Port Phillip are the Yalukut Weelam, one of the five clans of the Boon Wurrung, members of the Kulin nation. They originally inhabited the swampy areas below Nerre Nerre Minnim (now South Melbourne) and the sandy-ridged ti-tree covered coastline, which extended along the bay from what is now Port Melbourne and Fishermans Bend to St Kilda.

In 1839 Wilbraham Frederick Evelyn Liardet arrived with his wife and family from England and set up home at this beachfront. The Liardets were known for their many innovative and entrepreneurial ventures which included building the first rudimentary jetty, and providing a mail service to Melbourne from the port.

Previously known as Sandridge, Port Melbourne has maritime, cultural, migration, architectural and industrial significance. It is a microcosm of much of Australia's metropolitan development since early colonial settlement.

As a maritime and transport hub, it is home to Station Pier and Princes Pier from which Australian forces departed for war, and where hundreds of thousands of migrants took their first steps

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on Australian soil. Its significance as the port for the fledgling Melbourne metropolis was underlined when the first passenger railway in Australia was opened here on 12 September 1854.

Station Pier is still a working pier, receiving international cruise liners and the Spirit of Tasmania.

Erected by City of Port Phillip.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1839.

Location. 37° 50.515′ S, 144° 55.938′ E. Marker is in Port Melbourne, Victoria, in Port Phillip. It is on Waterfront Place 0.1 kilometers west of Beach Street, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Waterfront Place, Port Melbourne VIC 3207, Australia. Touch for directions.

Regionally, it is in Oceania,

in Australasia,

in the Pacific Ocean,

in South Pacific,

on the Pacific Rim,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other

Welcome to Port Melbourne Marker along Waterfront Place image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Dean Barton-Ancliffe, September 29, 2026

2. Welcome to Port Melbourne Marker along Waterfront Place

markers are within walking distance of this marker: Station Pier - Milestones (within shouting distance of this marker); Destination (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Station Pier - Cranes and Cargo (about 90 meters away); Centenary Bridge Pillar (about 150 meters away); Windsor Train Disaster of 1887 (about 240 meters away); World War I Rotunda Memorial Port Melbourne (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); The Sandridge Hotel (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); The Liardet Memorial (approx. 0.4 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Port Melbourne.

Also see . . . Port Melbourne. Victoria - Every bit different

Port Melbourne is one of the oldest suburbs of Melbourne, full of converted workers cottages, old pubs and a mixture of designer homes, high-rise apartments, and industrial bridges and parkland.

Beacon Cove and Station Pier

Bayside, the Able Tasman ferry and a rotation of cruise ships dock here while visiting the city. A wide footpath lined with palm trees starts in Port Melbourne and runs all the way around Port Phillip Bay. Jetties, piers, seagulls and boats – here a dip in the water
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with long walks and ice cream are a way of life. Beach Street's eateries provide laid back beachfront beverages; or treat yourself to a meal on Waterfront on the Pier and watch as the ships come and go while the sun goes down.

(Submitted on October 25, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria.)

Credits. This page was last revised on October 26, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 25, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria. This page has been viewed 13 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 25, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.