Port Melbourne in Port Phillip, Victoria, Australia — Oceania

Centenary Bridge Pillar

Port Melbourne

Photographed by Dean Barton-Ancliffe, September 29, 2026

1. Centenary Bridge Pillar Marker

Inscription. This reinforced concrete pillar is the only remnant of Centenary Bridge and remains on its original site at the St Kilda end of the now demolished bridge. The 305 metre bridge was a continuation of Beach Street, stretching over the four railway lines of Station Pier from Princes Street to Swallow Street, Port Melbourne and included a side ramp onto Station Pier.

When Station Pier was upgraded in the 1920s provision was made for a future bridge. In December 1933, with forthcoming Victorian centenary celebrations and the anticipated influx of visitors, the Melbourne Harbor Trust called for tenders for the design and construction of an overhead bridge at Station Pier.

The bridge was considered to be the first part of a grand scheme for a waterfront boulevard, a plan that was never fully realised.

Labour for the construction of the reinforced concrete bridge was provided by a local Unemployed Relief Program operating during the Depression and all the materials, other than bitumen, were of Australian origin. The tram lines over the bridge as shown on this image were never constructed.

The Duke of Gloucester, Prince

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Henry, visited Victoria as the representative of King George V for the centenary celebrations. He arrived at Princes Pier on 18 October 1934 and his procession was the first to pass over Centenary Bridge, after which it was opened to general traffic. Centenary Bridge was demolished in 1991.

Erected by City of Port Phillip.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Bridges & Viaducts. A significant historical year for this entry is 1933.

Location. 37° 50.497′ S, 144° 56.048′ E. Marker is in Port Melbourne, Victoria, in Port Phillip. It is at the intersection of Waterfront Place and Beach Street, on the left when traveling west on Waterfront Place. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3 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 markers are within walking distance of this marker: Windsor Train Disaster of 1887

Centenary Bridge Pillar Marker in front of the Pillar image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Dean Barton-Ancliffe, September 29, 2026

2. Centenary Bridge Pillar Marker in front of the Pillar

(within shouting distance of this marker); World War I Rotunda Memorial Port Melbourne (about 150 meters away, measured in a direct line); Welcome to Port Melbourne (about 150 meters away); The Sandridge Hotel (about 150 meters away); Destination (about 180 meters away); Station Pier - Milestones (about 240 meters away); Station Pier - Cranes and Cargo (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); The Liardet Memorial (approx. 0.3 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Port Melbourne.

Also see . . . Centenary Bridge, Port Melbourne.

As early as 1924, the Melbourne Harbor Trust (MHT) had proposed that Port Melbourne Council (PMC) that they should build a bridge over the pier with all interested parties contributing to the cost. MHT offered to pay half the cost but Council rejected the idea saying it was entirely a matter for the MHT.

With the Centenary Boulevard proposal a non-starter, the possibility of a bridge was resurrected and The Record, 23 Dec 1933, reported that 12 designs for a bridge at Port Melbourne had been proposed. The cost would be £60,000 with MHT prepared to meet ⅔ of the cost if the Government
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found the remaining ⅓ and vested certain land to the MHT.

The Record, 17 Feb 1934, reported that 20 men had begun preparations for the new bridge the previous Monday. The following edition reported that 30 men had started work on the western ramp of the bridge itself.

(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 9 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.