Heritage
Port Phillip's piers, jetties, islands and marine reserves have a rich history of settlement, recreation, fishing and defence for Victoria. Shipwrecks date from the early days of settlement and development. Long before the network of roads grew around the perimeter, people traversed the Bay by steam and sail. The Bay's piers and jetties, many of which have been extended and rebuilt since their construction in the 1860s to 1890s, have been integral for travel and trade. Piers, such as those at Queenscliff and Portarlington, were used by paddle steamers in the days of early recreation. The piers were also used to transport a range of materials, including timber and lime, from the Mornington Peninsula to Melbourne.
South Channel Fort
The South Channel Fort is a reminder of Port Phillip Bay's early history as part of the defence lines for Melbourne. The artificial island was constructed in the 1880s to illuminate the channel at night and electronically explode mines under attacking ships coming through the Heads. A system of antiquated gun emplacements and tunnels are a feature of the island which is now a significant refuge for seabirds. The Popes Eye was initially proposed for defence purposed, however the partially constructed artificial island was never completed.  South Channel Pile Light
The South Channel Pile Light is one of the most recognisable features in the Bay. The 'cottage style' lighthouse was completed in 1874 and was occupied by lighthouse keepers until the early 1900s. The light was finally switched off in 1985, having operated as a navigational beacon for some 111 years. The structure has been recently restored by Parks Victoria in accordance with Heritage Victoria guidelines. History of the Light
For over one hundred years the South Channel Pile Light guided ships through the narrow shipping channels near the heads in Port Phillip Bay. The single storey octagonal structure, about 9 metres across and standing on timber piles in the water, was built between 1872 and 1874 at a cost of 1,550 pounds which is the equivalent to $3,000. Until the introduction of bottled acetylene gas, the building was inhabited by a lighthouse keeper and had a living room with a fireplace and chimney, a bedroom with 4 bunks and an inspector's office, which was also used as a store room. Two water tanks stored rainwater collected from the roof and a central spiral staircase lead to the lantern, which housed the light. Between 1905 and 1913 the lighthouse keeper painted murals of sailing ships on the interior walls of the house. These were removed in 1979 and are now on display in the Polly Woodside Melbourne Maritime Museum. The South Channel Pile Light operated as a navigational beacon for 111 years until 1985 when it was switched off for a trial period. It was never turned on again. From this time the condition of the building gradually deteriorated from lack of maintenance and vandalism. Leaking water rotted many structural beams, walls were damaged, windows broken and fittings removed. Steel components were severely rusted and birds were nesting both on and inside the building. Many of the timber piles were structurally unsound, and the frame supporting the three tonne lantern was deteriorating. Parks Victoria took over the management, from the Port of Melbourne Authority, of all the public recreational piers, jetties and breakwaters in Port Phillip Bay and Westernport Bay including the South Channel Pile Light. Restoration and Relocation
In mid May 1998, the structure, the only one of its kind still intact in Australia, was lifted off the original piles and transported to a shed on South Wharf for conservation work. Before transportation, to reduce the weight to be lifted and as the support framing was in poor condition, the lantern was removed. With careful attention to detail the structural joints in the heavy timber framing supporting the lantern were replicated. The building was painted as closely as possible to the original colour scheme. The rotating ball vent on top of the lantern was repaired to be turned by a replica of the weathervane to vent the lantern away from the wind. Originally this ensured the acetylene flame of the light would not be blown out. While the building was being restored new timber piles were driven adjacent to the Rye Channel and 3 kilometres away from the original location. After five months the South Channel Pile Light was rolled out onto the wharf, lifted onto a large barge and transported down the bay to Rye. The tow took about seven hours and the building was carefully set down on the new timber piles. The relocation and conservation project was managed by Parks Victoria and, after extensive consultation with a Conservation Architect and the enthusiasm of the contractors, the entire project was carried out to a very high standard. Access to the Pile Light
Public access to the Pile Light is by boat and is limited to viewing of the outside of the structure. The South Channel Pile Light is located in Port Phillip Bay: navigational coordinates 38 20.399' south, 144 49.022' east ( AGD 66); or 3 kilometres off the Rye pier. Melway ref: 168 F2
Point Nepean
Point Nepean is located 95km from Melbourne and 1km west of Portsea and makes up the eastern headland at the entrance to Port Phillip Bay. Since the 1850s, Point Nepean has been off limits to the general public; first as a Quarantine Station for arriving immigrants, and later as a military fortification. In Australia's Bicentennial year of 1988, 300 hectares of previous Commonwealth Land at Point Nepean was transferred to the State of Victoria to become part of Mornington Peninsula National Park. Point Nepean has since become a popular tourist destination, featuring Cheviot Beach, Point Nepean Bay and Fort Nepean which dates back to the 1880s. A Visitor Centre is located at the entrance to Point Nepean, about a kilometre west of the Portsea shopping centre.  Aboriginal Traditional Owners Parks Victoria acknowledges the Aboriginal Traditional Owners of Victoria - including its parks and reserves. Through their cultural traditions, Aboriginal people maintain their connection to their ancestral lands and waters.
Further information is available from Aboriginal Affairs Victoria AAV and Native Title Services Victoria
|
