Port Melbourne in Port Phillip, Victoria, Australia — Oceania
The Liardet Memorial
Photographed by Dean Barton-Ancliffe, September 29, 2026
1. The Liardet Memorial Marker
The family camped on what was known as Liardet's Beach later to become Sandridge, later still, Port Melbourne.
They began a ferry service with a couple of boats and waggons, ferrying people to and from ships in the Bay and collecting and delivering mail. Their interests also included the building of Liardet's Pier Hotel in Beach Street.
Wilbraham specialised in painting water colours, was involved in numerous activities in the colony, and supported the development of local government.
Liardet died in New Zealand in 1878.
Erected 1988 by The Commonwealth Government.
Topics. This historical marker and memorial is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1839.
Location. 37° 50.561′ S, 144° 56.207′ E. Marker is in Port Melbourne, Victoria, in Port Phillip. It is at the intersection of Beach Street and Nott Street, on the left when traveling west on Beach Street. Touch for map.
this page online
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: War Memorial Port Melbourne (within shouting distance of this marker); Great War Drinking Fountain Memorial Port Melbourne (within shouting distance of this marker); Sandridge Town Pier (about 120 meters away, measured in a direct line); Port Melbourne Foreshore (about 120 meters away); World War I Rotunda Memorial Port Melbourne (about 120 meters away); The Sandridge Hotel (about 120 meters away); Windsor Train Disaster of 1887 (about 180 meters away); Answering the Call - Naval Heritage Foundation (approx. 0.2 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Port Melbourne.
Also see . . . Wilbraham Liardet. Monument Australia
The monument commemorates Wilbraham Liardet who was the(Submitted on October 25, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria.)first European settler of Port Melbourne. It was erected as a bicentennial project to commemorate the nation's bicentenary in 1988.Photographed by Dean Barton-Ancliffe, September 29, 20262. The Liardet Memorial Dedication Plaque
The memorial was constructed from four bluestone blocks which formed part of the gates of the sugar mill on the corner of Beach Street and Post Office Place.
Wilbraham Frederick Evelyn Liardet (1799 – 1878), was an Australian hotelier, water-colour artist and historian, who was responsible for the early development of Port Melbourne. Liardet arrived with his wife Caroline and nine children in 1839 and erected a tent on the beach opposite what is now Bay Street. He opened the Brighton Pier Hotel in 1840 and soon had a passenger coach service to Melbourne. Liardet had possessed a competence when he arrived but was a poor man of business. By December 1841 he had transferred his hotel licence to his son Frank and in 1845 was insolvent. Nevertheless the family enjoyed their life by the sea where Wilbraham was a leading net fisherman and entertained the growing community by playing the guitar and flute and singing to them. Liardet later painted early scenes of Melbourne.
Photographed by Dean Barton-Ancliffe, September 29, 2026
3. The Liardet Memorial Bicentennial Plaque
Photographed by Dean Barton-Ancliffe, September 29, 2026
4. The Liardet Memorial
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 8 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 25, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
