Station Pier is an operational shipping facility. As Victoria's premier cruise shipping location it welcomes more than 100 cruise ships and around 350,000 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 two active berths for cruise ships.
It is a finger-pier structure two 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
Automated sewage facilities are available with direct access and conveniences into the local network.
Customs, quarantine and immigration
Full customs and quarantine security is 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 5225 3500
Email: cruise@ports.vic.gov.au
Visiting Station Pier
Station Pier is closed to public access until further notice.
Cruise passengers have access for embarking and disembarking when cruise ships are berthed.
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 5225 3500
Contact us
Maintenance and upgrades
Activities in 2024
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:
- refurbishment of the Gatehouse roof and exterior, including painting
- 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.
Refurbishment of the Gatehouse
Works are continuing on the Gatehouse building.
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.
This year’s program is planned to finish by October 2024, before the start of the 2024-25 cruise season.
Removal of non-heritage structure
The elevated ramp beside the pier, previously used by the Bass Strait ferries, has been removed. This was a non-heritage structure.
Started in April 2024, the work was completed in July 2024.
Planning for fender upgrade
Initial planning has started for upgrading the pier’s fenders to continue to meet the needs of the cruise industry.
For more information:
Tel: +61 3 5225 3500
Contact us