Melbourne’s Docklands comprises approximately 200 hectares of land and water, with the historic Victoria Dock (now called Victoria Harbour) at its centre. The Victoria Harbour Heritage Trail is a semicircular route which can be commenced at either end: the former Shipping Control Tower, or under the Bolte Bridge, at the East Moonee Ponds Creek.

Docklands is in the Lower Yarra Delta, bordered on the south by the Birrarung/Yarra River as it wound its way to Nairm/Port Phillip Bay, on the east by the Central Business District, on the north and west by the container ports. Much of this area covers the salt water lake, variously called the Blue Lake or West Melbourne Swamp. This was an important meeting place for the traditional owners, the Wurundjeri-Woiwurrung, who would come together in large gatherings on the edge of the lake for trade, celebrations, and other social activities. The wetlands teemed with fish, birds, animals, and plants which were important food sources.

Towards the end of the nineteenth century, the course of the Birrarung/Yarra was shortened and, in an engineering marvel, Victoria Harbour was hand-dug to cope with the greatly increased demand for shipping berths. In the twentieth century, with the move to containerisation, Appleton and Swanson Docks were constructed downstream of Victoria Harbour and to the west of Melbourne’s CBD. The extensive port infrastructure of Victoria Harbour was demolished and replaced by the vast urban renewal project now known as the Docklands Precinct.

The Victoria Harbour Maritime Heritage Trail highlights the significant maritime heritage infrastructure, past and present, around the perimeter of the harbour. It is a 4.5 km (one hour) walk devised by the Melbourne Maritime Heritage Network. This trail can be combined with the either the Southbank Trail (‘Billabongs to the Bolte Bridge, 4.5 km, takes an hour) and the Northbank Trail (‘A Riverfront CBD’, 3km, takes 45 minutes) and any of the trails can be commenced and ended at any point.

From the Library at The Dock on Victoria Harbour, simply walk across Buluk Park Playground, over Collins Street and along Tom Thumb Lane, to reach the end of North Wharf (Stop 19 on the Northbank trail). Alternatively, from Central Pier, take the Capital City Trail/Harbour Esplanade to meet the river at Jim Stynes Bridge (Stop 17 on Northbank trail) and cross the river at Seafarers Bridge (Stop 11 on the Southbank trail).

IMAGE CREDIT
Victoria Harbour, c.1950, Public Record Office Victoria. Note the busy port and the Shipping Control Tower at entrance to Victoria Harbour at lower middle of photograph.