Princes Pier, Heritage-listed pier in Port Melbourne, Australia
Princes Pier is a 580-meter timber structure extending into Port Phillip Bay and listed as a heritage site. A restored section of 196 meters is open to visitors and preserves the original pylons and railroad infrastructure from when the pier was built.
The pier was built between 1912 and 1915 and served until 1969 as a major arrival point for overseas migrants. Its closure marked the end of an era of passenger transport at Port Melbourne harbor.
The structure displays features of early twentieth-century port operations that remain visible today. The preserved gatehouse, terminal building, and platform tracks show how travelers once moved through this maritime entry point.
The public section allows visitors to walk over the water with clear views of the bay and surroundings. Information boards along the way explain the harbor's history and how the pier was used during its operating years.
The pier once had eight railway tracks running in parallel, connected directly to the Port Melbourne railway line for seamless operations. This unusual design allowed large numbers of passengers and cargo to move through quickly and efficiently.
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