Port Melbourne

Port Melbourne is a stylish blend of Melbourne's old and new, and a long-time arrival point for ships from across the Strait and around the world. Once a concentration of transport and manufacturing industry, today it is a buzzing bayside suburb featuring striking residential developments alongside restored public buildings and workers' cottages. Since the 1830s, Port Melbourne has been the arrival point for millions of shipping passengers. Station Pier is the docking point for the Spirit of Tasmania ferry service from Devonport, Tasmania, and for international cruise ships, which are in port between November and March each year. Head to the pier on a warm summer evening, pick up some fish and chips and sit by the water imagining life on an enormous ocean liner in days gone by. Tree-lined Bay Street has a fascinating collection of old fashioned pubs, hotels and historic buildings housing specialist retailers, boutiques and contemporary eateries. You'll also find a large number of film and recording studios, as well as publishers and production houses in the area. Beacon Cove is a new residential development that has given rise to more sophisticated eateries reflecting the bayside way of life. Year-round, walkers, runners and cyclists pound the palm-lined path that hugs the Port Melbourne foreshore, and continues all the way through St Kilda to Frankston. Take the number 109 (Port Melbourne) tram from Collins Street and within 20 minutes you'll be sitting by the sea.