Once the lifeline of Dromana, this pier carried people, goods, and promise across Port Phillip Bay
Inception and Construction
Dromana’s first pier was built in 1862 by the Victorian Public Works Department to give the growing township a direct shipping link to Melbourne. Before roads were reliable, the pier was essential for exporting timber, firewood and produce from Arthur’s Seat and the surrounding farms.
As tourism exploded in the late 1800s, the pier evolved from a working wharf into a vital arrival point for paddle steamers carrying holidaymakers from the city.
By 1873 it had been extended to almost 500 metres, making it one of the longest piers on the bay and a major regional landmark.
Changes Over Time
Through the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the pier was constantly modified to cope with storms, heavy use and changing needs. A goods shed was built (and later rebuilt in 1931) to handle freight, while new ladders, shelters and diving platforms were added as the pier became a recreational hotspot.
Ferries such as the Ozone and Hygeia made regular stops, turning the jetty into a social hub every summer. But its exposed position meant damage was frequent.
In 1959 it was replaced by a shorter concrete pier about 185 metres long, which was less than half its original length!
In 2025 the Victorian government committed over $10 million to rebuild the aging pier, with a modern design expected to be completed by 2026.
Explore the Mornington Peninsula’s Full Visual History
This photograph is just one of hundreds featured in Origins: Mornington Peninsula, a premium hardcover coffee table book that traces the Mornington Peninsula from the 1800s to today. Historical images, modern re-shoots, and detailed narratives bring the regions past to life.
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