Port Melbourne to Pumping Station and back

This walk takes one from the shores of Port Melbourne to the pumping station at Scienceworks Museum and back. It took us four hours return, though fit adults will probably do it in three. The itinerary is shown at the end. Port Melbourne has an interesting history from the early days of Melbourne and until 20 years ago was very industrial. This walk combines beach, parkland and industrial sites. I found it to be one of the most interesting inner city walks, which was enhanced by fascinating cloud structures! 

Port Melbourne viewed from the jetty near Station Pier, just before the rain. 

Westgate Bridge from Westgate Park. The park and its native bushes are worth strolling through, but not if you are in a hurry as it is a maze of tracks, with little signage. The salt lake turns pink on occasions, usually at the end of summer -- see here for some stunning photos.

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Evidence of industry past and present is everywhere. I have no idea what these three cylinders are for!

Facing Scienceworks from the track east of Westgate Bridge.

On the shores of the Yarra River, under the Westgate Bridge, facing Scienceworks.

The lovely little Westgate Punt, which crosses the Yarra River in about 5 minutes. On a weekend in early summer we did not have to wait more than 5 minutes to travel on it.

Melbourne docks viewed from the punt. 

The old Pumping Station was the highlight of our visit to Scienceworks. It was part of Melbourne's first centralised sewage system. Some very interesting information and pictures can be found at this Museum Victoria page. See if you can spot another enormous building in the picture!

Yes, your eyes aren't deceiving you. There is a container ship gliding right behind the pumping station.

One of the four original pumping engines has been beautifully restored and is now in action. It is now powered by electricity rather than by a giant steam boiler.

Fred on his bike, one of the many exhibits in the general section of Scienceworks.

A 1:500000 copy of the Moon at the Museum of the Moon, by Luke Jerram. It looked so real!

Walking back under threatening clouds. This picture faces west.

Rail tracks coming out of the ground and going somewhere in Fisherman's Bend.

A bizarre fungus on the side of the track. It was a few centimetres in diameter. The closest thing to it I found on the internet is Beard Lichen.

Looking towards Sandridge Lookout. Sandridge is the old name of Port Melbourne.

The city, viewed from the end of the track by the Westgate Bridge, just before Todd Rd.

This is a busy aeroplane corridor, presumably to and from Tullamarine Airport.

Port Melbourne Beach sand and shells.

The Spirit of Tasmania about to leave for Devonport, Tasmania. 

Port Melbourne under a rainbow, viewing eastward.

Itinerary starting and finishing at Station Pier, Port Melbourne, the home of the Spirit of Tasmania. The walk to and from Scienceworks (left hand side) is a mix of street walking, gravel paths through parkland and a river cross in the Westgate Punt.