Point Gellibrand
One of the most important sites in the history of the state of Victoria, it was at Point Gellibrand that Victoria s first permanent non indigenous settlement and seaport was established in 1835. It was John Batman, Melbourne s founder, who stepped ashore and named the area Point Gellibrand in honour of his close friend, London barrister, Joseph Tice Gellibrand. While battling wild weather, illnesses and the occasional murder, the colony thrived; creating Australia s first telegraph station and government owned railway alongside the evolution of the state s navy and military.
The Timeball Tower: Victoria s first observatory, timeball tower and shipbuilding industry were located here and the distribution of supplies, particularly crucial during the gold rush, occdurred from here for years. The Timeball Tower, which still marks the time at 1pm daily (2pm during Daylight Saving), was built in 1849 out of local bluestone to aid ships in setting their chronometers.
Point Gellibrand Blustone Quarry: The quarry which yielded that stone is nearby; it was quarried by convicts and used as the key source of bluestone for Melbourne s first buildings, roads and piers. Present day Battery Road is made from this bluestone and it is a widely accepted belief that bushranger Ned Kelly worked on the retaining wall in 1873. To this day Battery Road remains a testament to the cruel back breaking work carried out by Victoria s convicts.
Fort Gellibrand: increasing wealth in the colony of Victoria during the gold rush increased the fear or invasion, leading directly to the construction of Fort Gellibrand between 1860 and 1880. The fort played a key role in developing the military, navy and government of the colony. This nine gun battery stood along a prominent bluestone wall and was the earliest defence against attacks on Melbourne s ports and shipping. The Fort, which remained active until Federation in 1901, is now restored thanks to local support and can be viewed during open days.
