Port Melbourne Gasworks Park

An interesting walk through the Gasworks Park, St. Vincent Place and along the portable houses on Coventry street in South Melbourne.

This walk follows quite a complicated route with a few twists and turns, so it would be a good idea to chalk out the route, or even mark it on a copy of the map given below before embarking on the walk. I can assure you, it will be well worth the effort.


Melway Map reference: 57A3 - 57F1
"Maps reproduced from Melway Edition 35 with the permission of Melway Publishing Pty Ltd"

Toilet Facilities and Coffee stop: At coffee shop at corner Bridport and Cardigan Streets

Take the tram 109 to Port Melbourne and get off at the last stop. 

Turn left into Beach Street, then walk along to Bay St. Walk up Bay Street turning right into Liardet street. 

Walk along this street and turn right at Cruikshank Street to cross the park to Lagoon Reserve and turn left into Graham street till you reach the Gasworks Arts Park. 

Gasworks Arts Park is a vibrant arts precinct producing a range of high-quality arts programs, workshops and activities. There is also a café, as well as function and workshop spaces.

Exit the park at Bridport street west. Walk around the school to get to Bridport street for a coffee stop at the corner of Bridport and Cardigan streets.

After coffee make your way to Merton street. Turn left and walk along Merton street till you reach St. Vincents Place Gardens.

In the shape of a large rectangular area with semi-circular crescents at either end, the St. Vincent Place is in a  heritage area bounded by Park Street, Cecil Street, Bridport Street, Cardigan Place and Nelson Road. The park is bisected by Montague Street, allowing the passage of trams.  Several of the streets are lined with the original cobbled blue stones and gutters. It is on the Victorian Heritage register for its aesthetic, historical, architectural and social significance to the State of Victoria.

Turn right into St. Vincents Place South and walk along the road to Ferrars, turn left and then left again down St. Vincents Place North and then turn right into Montague St.  Walk along Montague street to Coventry St. 

Turn right to see the portable houses on Coventry Street. These three houses give an insight into life in Emerald Hill, now South Melbourne, during the gold rush years. These buildings are examples of early property development are some of the few prefabricated iron buildings remaining in the world.

Continue on Coventry street till you reach Ferrars street to catch tram #96 back to the city.