Home is where the boat is

Welcome to Sorrento, often hailed as the 'Cradle of the State.' Before the annals of recorded history began, this area was a frequent gathering place for the Bunurong people, who came to harvest shellfish from the rock platforms along the coast. They crafted this land meticulously, lighting fires periodically to manage the scrub, thus giving the area a park-like appeal adorned with drooping casuarinas, moonah, and wirily.

In 1802, Acting Lieutenant Murray discovered the entrance to Port Phillip, establishing the first official white settlement under Lt Col. Collins at Sullivan Bay in 1803. Though this settlement was short-lived and was abandoned just a year later, the foundation for future prosperity was laid.

After Melbourne was founded in 1835, pastoralists began to populate the Nepean Peninsula. They discovered a lucrative opportunity in producing lime from local limestone to support the burgeoning city of Melbourne. This marked the beginning of a shift, with the original indigenous trees being replaced by the quicker-growing tea tree.

The 1870s ushered in a new era for Sorrento, as it started attracting the wealthy Melbournians, enchanted by the area's natural beauty and purported health benefits. In 1863, Sir Charles Gavan Duffy, a Member of Parliament and later Premier of Victoria, purchased land at Point King and constructed a holiday house. He christened the area 'Sorrento,' after the captivating Italian coastal town, and kick-started the development of holiday properties in the area. Sorrento Park was established in 1870 with exotic trees supplied by Ferdinand von Mueller. Soon, a hotel, butcher's shop, church, and schools sprung up in the vicinity, marking the beginning of Sorrento's evolution into a resort town.

However, it was George Selth Coppin, an actor, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and Member of Parliament, who truly recognised the potential of Sorrento as a resort for the general population. Coppin's companies were instrumental in shaping the town, purchasing land, establishing the Continental Hotel, introducing a seasonal ferry service from Melbourne, and even operating a steam tram from 1890 to 1920.

Today, Sorrento's rich heritage is recognised and preserved through the community and the Shire's Planning Scheme. Historical buildings, now housing modern businesses, stand as a testament to Sorrento's past. Each preserved structure provides a snapshot of the town's evolution, offering both residents and visitors a chance to relive Sorrento's vibrant history.

Point Nepean Quarantine Station offers a glimpse into the early European history of Victoria. The Quarantine Station was established in 1852 as a response to the growing concern about the potential spread of diseases among the population, particularly with the influx of new settlers during the Victorian gold rush. The Station comprises nearly 50 heritage-listed buildings, including hospitals, disinfecting complexes, a morgue, a cemetery and other facilities, providing a unique opportunity to explore the history and learn about life at this once-remote location.

The Quarantine Station began as a desolate, windy, and unwelcoming stretch of land with only a few houses left by a community of lime burners who had vacated the area. But over the years, several building phases have occurred. In the late 1850s, a jetty and five two-storey hospital blocks were erected to accommodate the influx of new settlers and prevent disease spread.

The facilities were also expanded in the 1860s, with the construction of a communal bathhouse and a washhouse outfitted with dedicated facilities to deal with infected clothing. In the late 19th century, as the Quarantine Station began receiving animals and people, a jetty was built at Observatory Point. Other infrastructure was added, such as a school for residents and a crematorium.

The crematorium was particularly important as it serviced the leprosy patients housed well away from the main Quarantine Station. In 1901, with the Federation of Australia, quarantine moved from state to Commonwealth control, resulting in several new processing policies. A Foul Luggage Receiving Store, Disinfection and Boiler building were among the new structures added to the Station.

Today, the remains of many of these historic installations can still be seen at the Point Nepean Quarantine Station, providing a unique and educational experience for visitors. The Station's critical role in protecting Australia from introduced diseases and its impact on the lives of those who pass through its gates can be explored through guided tours and exhibitions at the Fort Queenscliff Museum.

In the late 1800s, the Victorian Government devised a coastal defence network for Port Phillip in response to the fear of attack and invasion from foreign enemies during the Victorian gold rush. One of the critical components of this defence network was Pope's Eye, an island fort intended to defend the entrance to Port Phillip. This semicircular, horse-shoe-shaped ring of large basalt blocks was never completed as a fort, but it still serves as a protected nesting ground for the Australasian Gannets.

Located in Port Phillip Bay, Pope's Eye has become a top spot for snorkelling and diving with its tropical reef-like appearance. The inside of the "eye" is only about 2 m deep, showcasing a beautiful azure blue with a soft, sandy bottom. Named after a naval midshipman, the fort has been protected as a marine reserve since 1979 and is now part of the Port Phillip Heads Marine National Park.

The resident colony of Australasian Gannets builds their nests from seaweeds and guano and rear their chicks on the platform. These large seabirds are plunge divers and can be seen spectacularly diving into the water to catch their prey. Pope's Eye's protection from tidal currents supports various species, including colourful reef fish, octopus, featherstars, cuttlefish, seals, and gorgonian corals.

Despite never being fully completed as a fort, Pope's Eye still holds an important place in the history of the coastal defence of Port Phillip. Today, it is an important ecological site and a must-see destination for nature enthusiasts and divers. The protection and preservation of this unique island fort ensure that it will continue to be a valuable asset for future generations.

Port Phillip Bay is known not just for its rich history and coastal defences but also for its resident population of approximately 120 Burrunan dolphins (Tursiops australis). These unique creatures can only be found in southern and south-eastern Australia and are easily recognisable by their tri-colouration pattern on their bodies; dark grey dorsally, mid-grey along their sides, and a white underbelly that can extend over the Eye, as well as their curved dorsal fin and stubby rostrum. Each dolphin can be identified by the unique nicks and notches found on their dorsal fin. These dolphins use echolocation to communicate, hunt prey, and navigate. Their wide-ranging acoustic repertoire includes buzzes, whistles, squeaks, and squawks, making them fascinating creatures to observe.

From the Yarra River to the Port Phillip Heads, burrunan dolphins can be found throughout Port Phillip Bay. They can often be spotted bow-riding or doing spectacular leaps beside or near the ferry, adding extra excitement for visitors to the bay. In fact, the word "Burrunan" is an indigenous word used across three of the main dialects in the Kulin Nation and translates to 'large sea fish of the porpoise kind'.

Ensure you catch a glimpse of these magnificent sea creatures that call the bay home. The presence of the Burrunan dolphins not only adds to the beauty of Port Phillip Bay but also serves as a reminder of the diverse range of wildlife that call Australia home. As we continue to explore and appreciate this breathtaking bay, let us also strive to protect and preserve these magnificent creatures for future generations.

In 2002, a unique and octagonal structure was erected on the coast of Australia, serving as both a shipping channel marker and a haul-out location for a community of local Australian fur seals. The wooden platform, set on a former military structure, serves as a place for the boisterous and vocal fur seals to rest, bask in the sun and play.

Australian fur seals are a fascinating species. The largest of the fur seals, males, can reach up to 2.25m in length and weigh up to 360 kg. They can be easily distinguished from other seals by their external ears, two layers of fur and long front flippers, which they use on land to "walk", but it is in the water that seals are most graceful. Their large front flippers are used to propel themselves, and the rear flippers to steer. Their blubber layer and two layers of fur keep them warm when in the water.

This structure, nicknamed 'The Taj Mahal for Seals' due to its $210,000 construction cost, not only provides a safe and secure resting spot for the seals but also serves as an important reminder of the diversity of marine life in the area. It is a place of leisure for the seals and an important ecological site, providing researchers and conservationists with valuable insight into the behaviour and biology of these fascinating creatures. The Australian fur seals are a vital part of the coastal ecosystem, and the continued well-being of this species is important for the marine environment's overall health.

This unique structure serves as a shipping channel marker and a sanctuary for one of the most fascinating marine mammals in the region. It is a testament to the dedication of conservationists, who strive to provide suitable habitats for marine wildlife while promoting awareness and education about the importance of preserving these species and the marine environment. It continues to be an important site for the seals and an attraction for visitors, who can observe these beautiful creatures in their natural habitat.