Vintage Victoria

Geelong Eastern Beach Baths

Sun Theatre Yarraville

City Circle Tram No 35 in Melbourne

Griffiths Island Lighthouse

Regent Theatre, Ballarat

Royal Arcade, Melbourne

Vintage Victoria aims to map some of the wonderful heritage buildings around the state and in doing so tell some of the stories from the past and the present that make the buildings come alive.

It’s also an excuse for me – a newcomer to Victoria – to get to know the area through a series of day trips and outings, doing things I love like swimming, seeing a movie or catching a train.

But I love to make connections, both with the community around me now, and with the past. I love to imagine that Olympic champion who swam this lane before me, or that lighthouse keeper who lived through the storms and wrecks off the coast below.

So when I visit each of the places in this blog and write about my own experiences, I’ll always try to talk to others there on the day and hear their story. But I’ll then get onto the wonderful Trove website and seek out older stories that relate to the place in the past. And I’d love to hear from others who have their own memories and stories to tell that link to the places covered in this blog.

I’ve chosen arcades, cinemas, lighthouses, railways, racecourses and swimming pools because they all have a special place in my own life. One day I might expand the site to other vintage buildings, but I think Victoria has enough to offer under those headings to keep me going for a while yet. But get in touch if you think I might have missed somewhere you know and love.

Latest posts

Buninyong Botanic Gardens

The original 1901 bandstand rotunda still stands in Buninyong Botanic Gardens today. Along with 'The Gong' lake next door, a beautiful spot in 2021 still.

Peninsula Cinema – Sorrento – aka Athenaeum Theatre

The 1894 frontage of Sorrento's Athenaeum Hall still stands today. Much of the interior is modern but the main cinema retains several original features

Benalla Botanical Gardens

England's touring cricketers played Country Victoria on the oval in Benalla Botanical Gardens in 1937. You could watch the game from the bandstand which still stands today.

Flinders Pier

Flinders Pier was built in the 1860s, just a few years before the first telegraph cable connecting Victoria and Tasmania was rolled out into the sea right next to the jetty.

Kyneton Botanic Gardens

The original Kyneton Botanic Gardens, opened in 1861, extended down to the Campaspe River & regularly flooded in the early years. A picnic & a swim in the river baths was a common activity back then

McCrae Eastern Lighthouse

The metallic tower of Eastern Lighthouse between Dromana and Rosebud on the Mornington Peninsula might look more like a UFO than its white-stoned sisters, but it served its time after opening in 1884

Buninyong Botanic Gardens

The original 1901 bandstand rotunda still stands in Buninyong Botanic Gardens today. Along with 'The Gong' lake next door, a beautiful spot in 2021 still.

Peninsula Cinema – Sorrento – aka Athenaeum Theatre

The 1894 frontage of Sorrento's Athenaeum Hall still stands today. Much of the interior is modern but the main cinema retains several original features

Benalla Botanical Gardens

England's touring cricketers played Country Victoria on the oval in Benalla Botanical Gardens in 1937. You could watch the game from the bandstand which still stands today.

Flinders Pier

Flinders Pier was built in the 1860s, just a few years before the first telegraph cable connecting Victoria and Tasmania was rolled out into the sea right next to the jetty.

Kyneton Botanic Gardens

The original Kyneton Botanic Gardens, opened in 1861, extended down to the Campaspe River & regularly flooded in the early years. A picnic & a swim in the river baths was a common activity back then

McCrae Eastern Lighthouse

The metallic tower of Eastern Lighthouse between Dromana and Rosebud on the Mornington Peninsula might look more like a UFO than its white-stoned sisters, but it served its time after opening in 1884

Bendigo Botanic Gardens

Some of the trees in the Bendigo Botanic Gardens may well date from their early years in the 1850s. The vintage pavilion is a little newer than that. And now there are Gardens for the Future too.

Rye Pier

Now a favourite with divers seeking sea horses and stingrays, Rye Pier started life in the 1860s as a mooring point for boats taking lime from the nearby kilns up to Melbourne.

Malmsbury Botanic Gardens

Malmsbury Viaduct has been looking down over the Botanic Gardens since they opened in the 1860s. Not many brass bands playing these days, or town hall dances after a gardens picnic, though.

Cape Nelson Lighthouse

Victoria's most westerly lighthouse has been guiding ships towards Melbourne since 1884, though it took 25 years to raise the funds to have it built on the coast near Portland.

Whaler’s Bluff Lighthouse – Portland

First built in 1859, this lighthouse looking over Portland harbour used to be on the other side of the bay. Now it sits on this grassy bluff, with lucky residents' gardens just yards away.

Point Lonsdale Pier

First built in 1890, the Point Lonsdale Pier pre-dates it neighbour the lighthouse by a dozen or so years. Popular fishing spot now with Mornington Peninsula in view.

Johnstone Court, Terang

Beautiful 1920s arcade in Terang, in Victoria's West. Lots of original features still, though I wonder where they used to hold the tea dances in the arcade's early years.

Port Campbell Jetty

There's been a jetty at Port Campbell since the 1870s, though it's had to be rebuilt several times due to the stormy seas that crash into this part of the Victorian coast.

Cape Otway Lighthouse

Built in 1848, Cape Otway Lighthouse was so isolated in the early years that the lighthouse keeper only found out about the Gold Rush when his annual delivery of supplies including newspapers arrived

Lido Cinema – Hawthorn

Another vintage cinema in Melbourne's suburbs, with a modern look in 2020, but still some original features from the 1912 building, like the tiled staircase with ironwork banisters

Lorne Pier

The first pier in Lorne dates from the 1880s and was always famed for its 'shapely' beauty. The 21st century pier is just as popular with fishermen and folk out for a breath of air.

King’s Arcade, Armadale

Opened in 1893, but many of the vintage features in Kings Arcade, Armadale date from a 1920s refurb. Beautifully maintained into the 21st century

Classic Cinema, Elsternwick

Films were first shown in Elsternwick Theatre in 1911. The Classic Elsternwick mixes old and new to keep up the tradition. Also hosts the Jewish International Film Festival

Hastings Pier/Hastings Jetty

Hastings Jetty and its fishing shed date from about 1866 when a mix of British and Sicilian guys began to supply the growing Melbourne market. A pretty tranquil spot today.

Astor Theatre, St Kilda

This art deco brick palace opened its doors in 1936. It is one of the last remaining vintage cinemas still showing film on a single screen. Shows old classics and new releases.

Cunningham Pier, Geelong

Cunningham Pier: a jewel on Geelong's waterfront or a bit of a white elephant. Once a working pier known as Railway Pier, it's now neither a pleasure pier nor used for regular shipping.

Middle Brighton Sea Baths

The current Middle Brighton Sea Baths date from 1936, after the older ones, built in the 1880s, were destroyed in a storm. The last remaining one of its kind down this side of the Bay.

Geelong Theatre – aka Village Cinemas Geelong

Thank goodness they uncovered the beautiful 1913 facade of the old Geelong Theatre - now Village Cinemas. Lovely retro tiling on the foyer floor, too.

Maryborough Outdoor Pool

Maryborough's art deco swimming pool opened in 1940 and was an inspiration to other towns in Victoria looking to improve their swimming facilities. Vintage grandstand and bandstand in view, too.

Plaza Theatre – Kyabram

The Plaza Theatre in Kyabram first opened its doors in 1929 at a time when the annual Bachelors' Ball was as important to the cinema as the weekly movie on screen

Lagoon Pier – Port Melbourne

In its early 1880s years, the Lagoon Pier in Port Melbourne was witness to a series of tragic drownings. These days it plays host to fishing & strolling, with the occasional acrobatic dive off the end

Kerferd Road Pier – Albert Park, Melbourne

Kerferd Road Pier in Albert Park, Melbourne, hasn't changed too much since it was built in 1887 - there are fewer promenaders now but certainly more lighting than there used to be.

Coleraine Racecourse

This 1903 grandstand at Coleraine Racecourse has watched over the running of Australia's oldest steeplechase race for over 100 years.

Werribee Jetty

The remains of the original Werribee Jetty, built in 1897, still stand on the other side of the Werribee River from today's Jetty - a peaceful spot with lots of birdlife and lots of fishing.

Queenscliff White Lighthouse – aka Queenscliff Low Light

The Queenscliff White Lighthouse has been watching over passing ships since 1862, with pilots and navigators lining it up with the Black Lighthouse on the hill for entry into Port Phillip Bay

Forum Theatre, Melbourne

Another palatial 1920s cinema in the heart of Melbourne, the Forum Theatre only occasionally shows films these days, but when it opened as the State Theatre had 3000+ seats for cinema-goers

Capitol Theatre – Melbourne

Lighting was key to making the Capitol Theatre unique when it opened in 1924 so it's fitting that The Capitol still has fantastic lighting after its recent refurb. Great venue for MIFF.

Manchester Unity Arcade – Melbourne

This superb 1932 arcade in the heart of Melbourne may no longer house small boutique shops, but it has two cafes and a dental practice whose owner opens up the building for public tours on Sundays

Queenscliff High Lighthouse

The black lighthouse at Queenscliff pre-dates the Fort that now surrounds it by about 20 years. It's been guiding ships through Port Phillip Heads since 1863 and still does

Theatre Royal, Castlemaine

The Theatre Royal in Castlemaine first opened its doors at the height of the 1850s goldrush, with the art deco facade of today's cinema a 1930s innovation

Howey Place, Melbourne

Howey Place started life as a laneway to Coles Book Arcade but has had a glass roof for over 100 years now. So many curious incidents here over the years...

Portarlington Pier

There's been a pier or jetty at Portarlington on the Bellarine Peninsula since 1859. The current pier is a recent arrival but has traditional boardwalk, with distant views across to Melbourne's CBD.

Rosebud Pier

In the 1950s two ocean liners ran aground near Rosebud Pier. After a rebuild in the last 10 years, this is a popular spot for fishing in 2019.

Dromana Pier

The new Dromana Pier dates from the late 1950s and is about half the length of the original 1862 pier, but it's only thanks to local campaigns & maintenance work that we even have a Dromana Pier still

City Circle trams – Melbourne

Melbourne's City Circle tram route is a 1990s invention, but the trams that run the Number 35 route are all vintage 1920s and 1930s and the line takes you past some wonderful vintage structures

Balwyn Theatre

Another palatial art deco cinema in the Melbourne suburb of Balwyn. Opened in 1930, and still showing a great mix of films today.

Casterton Racecourse

There's been racing at Casterton since the 1850s and the track now claims to have Australia's only live hedge jumps course. It's set in a natural amphitheatre so we were here for the vintage hedges

Brunswick Baths

The 1920s frontage of Brunswick Baths remains a local landmark. Most of the swimming pools have been rebuilt several times over the decades but the brick wall along the side is of 1914 vintage.

Rex Theatre, Charlton

This classic 1938 vintage cinema in Charlton still shows films three times a week, as it did when it first opened. And it survived the 2011 floods in the town.

Mornington Pier

A sea wall from the 1850s jetty still stands at the start of Mornington Pier today. And there are half a dozen smaller piers along Schnapper Point, making Mornington great for pier reviews.

Sun Theatre – Yarraville

This 1938 vintage cinema in Yarraville still towers over what was once a heavily industrialised - now gentrified - part of Melbourne. Beautiful art deco.

Block Court Arcade – Melbourne

This 1930 conversion of an older building in the centre of Melbourne gives Block Court Arcade an art deco feel. Not so many quirky shops, but this arcade has a bank branch in the middle of it.

Essendon Swimming Pool – Queens Park, Moonee Ponds

This 1950s outdoor swimming pool in the beautiful Queens Park near Moonee Ponds was built in that wave of post-Olympics enthusiasm for swimming in Australia. Don't miss the vintage turnstiles.

Station Pier – Port Melbourne

Station Pier officially opened in 1930 and was the first port of call for wave after wave of European migrants arriving in Melbourne after the war. These days for cruise ships & the ferry to Tasmania

Bellarine Railway – Drysdale Station

Drysdale Station is the end of the line on the Bellarine Railway these days, but back in 1879, when the Geelong to Queenscliff line opened, Drysdale Station was the first station building on the line.

Bellarine Railway – Queenscliff

The railway line from Queenscliff to Geelong was built in 1879, with Queenscliff Station opening in 1881. Part of that line now forms the Bellarine Railway with steam trains to Drysdale

Queenscliff Pier

The 1880s pier at Queenscliff has a vintage shelter half way along, built with seating for waiting ferry passengers, and the old Queenscliff lifeboat shed with steep ramp to launch the boat in a storm

Ferguson Street Pier, Williamstown

Built in 1924 for the ferry 'Rosny', Ferguson Street Pier in Williamstown is today the place to be if you are a boat lover, with sailing and yacht clubs all around

Camperdown Racecourse

The 1903 grandstand at Camperdown Racecourse was reopened in 2019 after a long restoration period. Once upon a time it was ladies only in the grandstand!

Scenic Railway – Luna Park, St Kilda

The Scenic Railway at Luna Park in St Kilda has been on the go since 1912. Mostly works by gravity and the skills of the brakeman who stands for every ride.

Ovens River swimming pool – Bright

They've been swimming in the Ovens River at Bright since the gold miners left the area a good while ago. Popular spot on a hot day, and with good reason - such clear water

Timeball Tower – Williamstown

Originally a lighthouse at Gellibrand Point, this timeball tower ended up helping ships keep their timepieces accurate for many decades. Ceased work in 1926 but had a makeover recently.

Regent Theatre, Melbourne

The Regent Theatre in Collins St has been reborn a few times, after fire in 1945 and then a remodel in 1993, with lots of design features based on the original 1929 building.

St Kilda Pier

Popular with promenaders since the 1850s, St Kilda Pier draws people today for a peek at the penguins, though its newly-restored pavilion is also a local landmark.

Hanging Rock Racecourse

They've been horse racing at Hanging Rock for over 140 years, though there isn't much vintage architecture here now & I'd love to hear more ancient stories of this mystical spot

Campbell Arcade – Melbourne

1950s vintage arcade built to ease pedestrian traffic into Flinders St station for the Melbourne Olympics. Check it out while you can as Metro Tunnel building works might see it pulled apart.

Vaughan Springs Swimming Hole

Thousands used to come to Vaughan Springs for a day out when the swimming hole was first created in the late 1920s, with bathing beauty contests and brass bands in the 50s. Very quiet now.

Rivoli Cinemas, Camberwell

The Rivoli Theatre in Camberwell is a superb 1940 palace with lots of original features and still showing a great range of movies to this day.

Altona Pier

Altona Pier was built for the steam ferries in 1888, but these days is used mostly by fishermen and 'promenaders'. Lovely old boardwalk stretching out over Altona Beach

City Baths – Melbourne

Fabulous 1904 building in the centre of Melbourne housing a stunning indoor swimming pool with lots of original features, including one of the 'slipper baths' needed to keep Melbourne residents clean!

Hamilton Racecourse

There's a real vintage grandstand at Hamilton racecourse. Built in 1873, it's looking a bit tired now, but such a nice fixture on this beautiful race track in the west of the state.

Gem Pier – Williamstown

Gem Pier has been at the heart of Williamstown - in its various guises - since the 1830s. Now home to HMAS Castlemaine, with great views to Port Melbourne and the Westgate Bridge

Lady Bay Lower Lighthouse – Warrnambool

Lady Bay Lower Lighthouse teams up with her Upper sister to guide boats into Warrnambool harbour. No access to this lighthouse which is part of the Flagstaff Hill Village

Cathedral Arcade, Melbourne

The glass leadlight ceiling of Cathedral Arcade is absolutely stunning. A real vintage beauty in this 1920s building near Flinders St station.

Westgarth Theatre, Northcote

Westgarth Theatre in Northcote has been showing films since 1921. Now a multiplex, but a fantastic facade & lots of original features inside too. Great arthouse programme, too.

Bendigo Tramways

Bendigo's vintage trams still run along part of the original tram routes for the city with beautiful rolling stock and fascinating stories dating back to the Gold Rush

Mordialloc Pier

The long, straight finger of Mordialloc Pier has been stretching out into Port Phillip Bay since the mid-1800s. Popular with fishermen, but also for a casual stroll.

The Block Arcade, Melbourne

Melbourne's Block Arcade, where class has been on display since 1892, in all senses of the word. The tea rooms, a bugler and a dose of Dr Seuss are my favourite bits.

Yarra Valley Railway – Healesville

The Yarra Valley vintage railway runs from Healesville on the old line to Lilydale in a cute 1960s carriage. It goes through a brick tunnel and along a stretch of trestle bridges.

Star Cinema, Eaglehawk

Boutique cinema full of sofas in the same venue as they first showed films over 100 years ago. Lovely place to see films in Eaglehawk near Bendigo.

Lady Bay Upper Lighthouse – Warrnambool

Lady Bay Upper lighthouse sits in Warrnambool's Flagstaff Hill Village looking down over the bay, with its breakwater and reef. On the Shipwreck Coast.

Paramount Theatre – Maryborough

The new owners of the Paramount Theatre in Maryborough have kept the fantastic 1920s frontage with the old Coffee Palace next door. Great to have a cinema in Maryborough again.

Port Fairy Lighthouse – Griffiths Island

Port Fairy Lighthouse on Griffiths Island sits almost at sea level on the Great Ocean Road. A distinguished red nose on top and red door with path which used to lead back to keeper cottages

Bendigo Racecourse

The vintage grandstand at Bendigo Racecourse is the reason this venue made it to Vintage Victoria but there are other vintage bits dotted round this beautiful country Victoria racetrack.

Maldon Station – Victorian Goldfields Railway

Maldon Station marks the start or finish of the Victorian Goldfields Railway. Unlike Castlemaine, at the other end of the line, Maldon is not on the main V/Line public transport network.

Astor Cinema, Ararat

The Astor Cinema in Ararat opened 80 years ago in 1938 and is still going today. They bring a cup of tea to your seat if you are running late for the film. Shame they don't make more of their history.

Victorian Goldfields Railway – Castlemaine – Maldon

Gorgeous steam train running from Castlemaine to Maldon known as the Victorian Goldfields Railway. Through stunning eucalyptus bush so runs as a diesel in summer. Visible from our lounge room!

Split Point Lighthouse, Aireys Inlet

Tall, majestic 'White Queen' lighthouse at Split Point near Aireys Inlet on the Great Ocean Road. Fabulous views over the rocks and reefs. Nice tea room too in the old lighthouse stables

Bullarto Station – Daylesford Spa Country Railway

Bullarto station marks the end point of the Daylesford Spa Country railway. It is the highest altitude train station in Victoria. Plans for 1930s themed museum here. Lovely walks from Bullarto.

Eastern Beach Baths, Geelong

Built in the 1920s, the Eastern Beach Baths in Geelong are almost as popular in 2018 as they were in the heyday of ocean swimming in Victoria. Lovely art deco features include the Promenade boardwalk.

Ballarat Racecourse

The old grandstand at Ballarat Racecourse was the big draw for Vintage Victoria, along with the Tea House. Lots of old stories of drama & skulduggery at the races, too, dating back to 1866.

Royal Arcade, Melbourne

Melbourne's Royal Arcade opened in 1870 & is still going strong. Full of quirky, interesting shops plus the wonderful Gog & Magog sculptures & Father Time to remind of the important things in life

Daylesford – Bullarto Railway

The Daylesford Spa Country Railway takes you the ten or so kilometres from Daylesford to Bullarto, which has the highest altitude train station in Victoria. 1930s diesel trains mostly on Sundays.

Point Lonsdale Lighthouse

Point Lonsdale lighthouse has guarded the entrance to Port Phillip Bay since 1902. It towers over treacherous waters known as The Rip, close to a spot where the man famous for Buckleys Chance lived

Regent Theatre, Ballarat

The Regent Theatre is the loveliest cinema in Ballarat, right in the city centre. The multiplex today has kept many features from the original 1920s movie theatre, with arthouse & mainstream programme