When I was growing up in the port city of Hull in East Yorkshire, a trip down to the pier was always an exciting affair, not only to watch the ferries coming and going across the river, but also just to walk on those wooden planks and see the murky water through the gaps in the boards. I did the same in my Dad’s home town of Southampton, and then went to Uni in Brighton, which had a fabulous pleasure pier, including fun fair rides right over the sea. Piers today tend to be used mostly for fishing, but people still enjoy a bracing walk out onto the water, and going back in time, piers all over the world have great stories to tell. I’m sure it will be the same in Victoria, so if you know of a pier that still exists today and has great memories for you, let me know so I make sure to visit soon.
Frankston Pier
From daring rescues to sinister sharks, and a severe case of amnesia, Frankston Pier has seen it all in its 165 years on the Mornington Peninsula
Portsea Pier
From access point to the quarantine station to playground of the rich, Portsea Pier has seen a lot, and still does today with snorkelling and sandbags nearby
St Leonards Pier
First opened in 1859, St Leonards Pier is more a fishing haven these days than a ferry stop, but the old boardwalk still curves round to form a rather unique shape.
Port Welshpool Jetty
Today's Fisherman Jetty at Port Welshpool with timber boardwalk dates from 1859. The kilometre long 'Long Jetty,' first built in 1938, is now an impressive modern pier, but has kept its iconic curve
Tooradin Jetty
The peaceful Westernport village of Tooradin has had several jetties since the first was built in the 1890s. The current jetty and its fish shed were overhauled in 2021, now with good disabled access.
Black Rock Jetty
Black Rock Jetty has been the viewing point for the old naval vessel Cerberus for the last 95 years. The waters and cliffs nearby have also seen their share of drama over many decades.
Seaford Pier
Seaford Pier is one of Victoria's later vintage piers, the first plank being laid in 1929. It's had its fair share of dramas in its near 100 years life, though.
Mallacoota Wharf
A tranquil spot about as far east in Victoria as you can get, Mallacoota Wharf hit the world news headlines as local residents and visitors used it as a safe haven during the deadly bushfires of 2019.
Corinella Jetty
Corinella Jetty stretches out towards French Island, where there used to be a prison: there were at least two failed attempts to escape and reach the jetty, Alcatraz-style in the past
Grantville Jetty
The original Grantville Jetty was built in the 1870s, when it was used for transporting timber from local saw mills. Surely a different pier from the rickety boardwalk that still stands today?
Inverloch Jetty
Inverloch Jetty still marks the entrance to Anderson Inlet. Steamers no longer drop passengers off, and surfboarders are now a more common sight than swimmers near the pier.
Rhyll Jetty
79 years passed between George Bass landing here in 1798 and the jetty being built at Rhyll. It's certainly a peaceful spot on Phillip Island in 2021.
San Remo Jetty
Pelicans have a starring role at San Remo Jetty today, but this used to be the launch pad for ferries over to Phillip Island, and the narrow stretch of water has seen many rescues of people falling in
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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
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
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.
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
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
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.
Frankston Pier
From daring rescues to sinister sharks, and a severe case of amnesia, Frankston Pier has seen it all in its 165 years on the Mornington Peninsula
Portsea Pier
From access point to the quarantine station to playground of the rich, Portsea Pier has seen a lot, and still does today with snorkelling and sandbags nearby
St Leonards Pier
First opened in 1859, St Leonards Pier is more a fishing haven these days than a ferry stop, but the old boardwalk still curves round to form a rather unique shape.
Port Welshpool Jetty
Today's Fisherman Jetty at Port Welshpool with timber boardwalk dates from 1859. The kilometre long 'Long Jetty,' first built in 1938, is now an impressive modern pier, but has kept its iconic curve
Tooradin Jetty
The peaceful Westernport village of Tooradin has had several jetties since the first was built in the 1890s. The current jetty and its fish shed were overhauled in 2021, now with good disabled access.
Black Rock Jetty
Black Rock Jetty has been the viewing point for the old naval vessel Cerberus for the last 95 years. The waters and cliffs nearby have also seen their share of drama over many decades.
Seaford Pier
Seaford Pier is one of Victoria's later vintage piers, the first plank being laid in 1929. It's had its fair share of dramas in its near 100 years life, though.
Mallacoota Wharf
A tranquil spot about as far east in Victoria as you can get, Mallacoota Wharf hit the world news headlines as local residents and visitors used it as a safe haven during the deadly bushfires of 2019.
Corinella Jetty
Corinella Jetty stretches out towards French Island, where there used to be a prison: there were at least two failed attempts to escape and reach the jetty, Alcatraz-style in the past
Grantville Jetty
The original Grantville Jetty was built in the 1870s, when it was used for transporting timber from local saw mills. Surely a different pier from the rickety boardwalk that still stands today?
Inverloch Jetty
Inverloch Jetty still marks the entrance to Anderson Inlet. Steamers no longer drop passengers off, and surfboarders are now a more common sight than swimmers near the pier.
Rhyll Jetty
79 years passed between George Bass landing here in 1798 and the jetty being built at Rhyll. It's certainly a peaceful spot on Phillip Island in 2021.
San Remo Jetty
Pelicans have a starring role at San Remo Jetty today, but this used to be the launch pad for ferries over to Phillip Island, and the narrow stretch of water has seen many rescues of people falling in
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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
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
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.
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
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
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.