Station Pier is an operational shipping facility. As Victoria's premier cruise shipping location it welcomes the majority of cruise ships and more than 300,000 passengers and crew each year. It also hosts other visiting vessels, including navy ships.
The pier and its buildings are heritage-listed and have local, state and national significance. Opened in 1930, the current structure replaced the former Railway Pier built in 1854.
An ongoing maintenance and upgrade program protects the pier’s heritage and maintains it as a safe operational shipping and cruise facility.
On this page:
Station Pier shipping information | Visiting Station Pier | Maintenance and upgrades
Station Pier shipping information
Use of Ports Victoria’s facilities
Details for use of Ports Victoria’s facilities, including Standard Terms and Conditions, Port Load Chart, cruise vessel booking forms, Ancillary Service Provider Licensing, Inward Passenger Manifest Declaration, handling dangerous cargoes, security and fees and charges.
Visit the Use of Ports Victoria’s facilities page on this website.
Mooring Operations Guideline
The Mooring Operations Guideline – Station Pier is to help all parties involved with planning of mooring operations and the delivery of mooring services at Station Pier to carry out their responsibilities in relation to safe operation, environmental protection, and regulatory compliance.
Read Mooring Operations Guideline – Station Pier (PDF)
Berths
Station Pier has three active berths for cruise ships.
It is a finger-pier structure with three active berths. These are available for negotiation as dedicated berths for homeporting cruise ships during cruise seasons.
Vehicle access is via a central roadway. The total wharf length is 933 metres
Services and facilities
Port / shipping services
Shipping services include pilotage, towage, mooring / unmooring.
Port services include ship security, bunkering, garbage and waste disposal, emergency services and access to repair facilities.
Provedoring / stores – fresh produce and export markets are within an easy 5 km of the pier and can service a homeporting or visiting cruise ship at short notice.
Fresh water – Melbourne’s water is reputed to be the cleanest and best drinking water of any Australian city. Online watering facilities are available at all berths.
Sewage
On wharf sewage facilities are available with direct access and conveniences into the local network.
Customs, quarantine and immigration
Full customs, immigration and quarantine services are available. The pier can be physically isolated, giving security and privacy to ships and their passengers.
Pier security
Maritime security is provided in accordance with government regulations.
Port charges
Port charges are competitive, with negotiable rates available for homeporting ships. See the Reference Tariff Schedule.
For more information please contact:
Station Pier Operations Manager
Tel: +61 3 8347 8300
Email: cruise@ports.vic.gov.au
Visiting Station Pier
Station Pier is currently open to public from 0700hrs to 1700hrs
Visitors can access the southern end of the pier on weekdays, as well as weekends, to fish, sightsee and enjoy the iconic heritage listed location.
For your safety please follow the signage, directions of the security guards and stay in designated public access pathways / areas. Unauthorised entry to cordoned off areas is strictly prohibited. The public’s co-operation to adhere to the times and directions from the Maritime Security Guard/s is highly appreciated.
Only the southern end of the pier can be accessed by public, strictly via the marked walkways or as directed by the duty Maritime Security Guard.
The public must acquaint themselves and adhere to all restrictions as sign posted at the main entry gate and around the pier. There is limited accessible parking available at the southern end of the pier which will be allocated on a first come first served basis.
Days pier will be closed to visitors in 2026
The pier will be closed to the public on the following days because of ship operations or major maintenance works being conducted at the pier:
Sunday 11 October
Monday 2 November
Tuesday 3 November
Wednesday 4 November
Thursday 5 November
Friday 7 November
Friday 20 November
Wednesday 25 November
Monday 14 December
Thursday 17 December
Saturday 19 December
Sunday 20 December
Monday 21 December
Tuesday 22 December
Wednesday 23 December
Friday 25 December
Saturday 26 December
Thursday 31 December
To see when the pier will be closed in 2027, check our long-term calendar [Station Pier Public FULL access days calendar 2026 -2027]
From 4 October 2026 to 4 April 2027 the pier will be open from 0600hrs to 2000hrs.
Parking near Station Pier
A limited number of short-term car parks are available in the Waterfront Place precinct immediately adjoining Station Pier. Charges apply.
Transport to/from Station Pier
Station Pier is located in Port Melbourne, approximately 3 km south-west of Melbourne’s city centre.
A tram service provides a convenient link to the city centre (Route 109). For information about fares, please visit Public Transport Victoria website.
Taxis also service the pier.
For more information please contact:
Station Pier Operations Manager
Tel: +61 3 8347 8300
Email:cruise@ports.vic.gov.au
Maintenance and upgrades
Activities in 2026
Annual routine maintenance and upgrade works are currently underway. Part of our ongoing maintenance program, these works protect the pier’s heritage and maintain it as a safe shipping and cruise facility.
Planned works this year include:
- the ongoing, annual pile rehabilitation program (including West Finger Pier)
- painting, corrosion protection, electrical and other works on elements of the pier structure and buildings.
For safety during these works, Station Pier remains closed to the public.
Pile rehabilitation program
The ongoing, annual pile rehabilitation program is underway. Works are being conducted from Monday to Friday each week (excluding public holidays) from 7 am to 5 pm. If required, some works may be carried on Saturdays during the same hours.
Some pile driving will be undertaken. It will be carried out only on weekdays.
Planning for fender upgrade
Initial planning and design has started for upgrading the pier’s fenders to continue to meet the needs of the cruise industry.
For more information please contact:
Station Pier Operations Manager
Tel: +61 3 8347 8300
Email: cruise@ports.vic.gov.au