The Queenscliff Piers

Constructed from roughly hewn timber, Queenscliff’s first pier was laid out in 1856, in roughly the same spot as the ferry terminal below. Simply dubbed Fishermans Pier, it provided the towns’ burgeoning fishing industry a place to unload their catch and moor their boats.

Connected to the township by a rudimentary plank road that eventually became Wharf St, it proved to be a major catalyst for Queenscliff’s growth and development.

Demands for fresh fish had begun sweeping in from both Melbourne and Geelong, providing a lucrative market for the local fishing cooperatives.

In fact, it wasn’t long before Fisherman’s Pier was unable to service the towns growing fleet alone, with a second pier built a short distance south in 1861. Known as Doctors Jetty, it serviced the increasing number of government officials stationed in Queenscliff. These included health and customs officers, sea pilots and other maritime safety personnel. Over time, it fell under the control of local seamen as the government operations, requiring stronger mooring for their larger vessels, outgrew the facility.

In 1885, a third was constructed. Positioned south of both Fisherman’s Pier and Doctors Jetty, it was the spark that ignited Queenscliff’s reputation as a tourist retreat. Stretching 200m into Port Phillip, it had the capacity to dock larger, deepwater vessels such as the growing fleet of leisure steamers that had begun carting holidaymakers to the seaside town. Known at various stages as New Pier, Steamboat Jetty and Steamer Jetty, it featured a passenger shelter, a lifeboat shed and a light tramway that was used to unload goods and luggage. Today, it is it known simply as Queenscliff Pier. No longer used for mooring and unloading cargo, it is a hub for recreational fisherman and provides a fantastic vantage point to take in the harbour.

The Pilot’s Pier, which lies further south along the beach, is used exclusively by the Port Philip Sea Pilots.