Sunday, March 13, 2016

PRINCES PIER, Port Melbourne, VIC

As a photographer, one of the places on my photography "bucket list" for quite some time was Princes Pier in Port Melbourne, Victoria. While in Melbourne in 2014, we visited there on 2 separate occasions in order to gain some images that I had in mind -- but the weather was a little moody both times. It was certainly worth the visit though!

Princes Pier is a 580 metre long historic pier on Port Phillip Bay, in Port Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.


The pier was constructed between 1912 and 1915 by the Melbourne Harbour Trust to supplement the adjacent Station Pier (originally the 'Railway Pier'). From completion in 1915 until 1969 it was also a major arrival point for new migrants, particularly during the post-war period. In addition to a pier, there was a gatehouse and barriers, terminal building, amenities rooms, goods lockers, ablution blocks, railway sidings and passenger gangways.


With the containerisation boom the pier became unused, being closed to public access in the early 1990s due to the poor timber condition, and squatters caused a fire in the late 1990s that destroyed the store structures. In the three years to 2004, 14 fires occurred.
A refurbishment estimated to cost $14 million was announced by the State Government in April 2006, with the first 196 metres of the Pier fully restored, beyond that point the decking would be removed and the original pylons preserved. A full restoration was estimated at $60 million. A contract for the work was awarded in June 2007, and work began in October of the same year. The pier reopened to the public in December 2011.





Linking up with these memes:

                        http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com.au/


      http://skyley.blogspot.com.au/

20 comments:

Jarek said...

Your photos are great. Well done!

eileeninmd said...

Wow, gorgeous photos of Port Melbourne. It is a shame about the fires, I am glad it was restored. Happy weekend!

Nefertiti said...

Magnifique endroit ! ;o)

Helen said...

Stunning images.

Yogi♪♪♪ said...

Wow, what a structure. It seems very sensible to restore some of the structure and keep the piers on the rest to give an idea how huge the original structure was. Thanks for the backstory, I learned something because of you!! And I thank you for it.

Pauline said...

That structure sure makes for moody photos, Liz. Just love the first shot where it looks sort of spacey and threatening somehow.

Nanda kumar said...

Absolutely stunning captures!

Margaret Birding For Pleasure said...

Fabulous reflection shots. Enjoy your week ahead.

Rudi Frakarsa said...

such a lovely series of photos. Love the piers and its old ambience..

Don Wood said...

Beautiful pictures. Thanks for sharing

Stewart M said...

Nice - every time I see pictures from this location - I think 'I need to go there." - But so far it has not happened.

Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne

Anonymous said...

What an interesting place! Too bad about the fire, it would have been interesting to see the original buildings.

Villrose said...

Very special pier and photos. Gives me associations to a war cemetery...

Anonymous said...

FAbulous shots.

Powell River Books said...

I love old pilings. They hint at a time gone past. - Margy

GreenComotion said...

Awesome photographs!
Have a Happy Day!
Peace :)

Bob Bushell said...

I love those tree stumps in the water, fantastic pictures.

Bushra Muzaffar said...

Beautiful captures!

Michael S-B said...

Wonderful photos, as usual! I really must visit there when we next go to Melbourne. I still haven't been there yet. xoxo

Killeen Boom Town Roofing Contractors said...

Wonderful photos. Office Renovation

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