Queenscliff Revisited. Heritage Preservation at its Finest.

With the Easter break upon us many will take the opportunity to ‘get out of town’. For many the unique environs of heritage protected towns and locations bring a great deal of pleasure and visual comfort but it is no accident these locations are still standing offering an exciting and accurate window into our past. Queenscliff is one such location. For your enjoyment we present an article, first published in October 2021. Happy travels and enjoy the break.

One of the Heritage Gems within easy reach of Melbourne is the coastal haven that is Queenscliff. Originally a seaside retreat for Melburnians the grandeur and beauty of this Victorian era township has been preserved and protected.

It was serviced by the Queenscliff-Geelong Rail Link for holiday passengers, after having on- travelled from Melbourne no doubt. The line was constructed in 1881 and Queenscliff Station itself was located on the foreshore of Swan Bay. The station is of a unique design having been specifically built to cater for the large numbers of tourists arriving and departing at ‘Peak Holiday’ times.

The holiday visitors often stayed at the major hotels, such as the Ozone, or alternatively at specially built Guest Houses such as Lathanstowe (where Anglican clergy and their families holidayed). The Ozone Hotel was built is 1881 (pictured below).

The Lathanstowe was built in 1882-83 (pictured below), the Queenscliff Hotel in 1887 and the Vue Grand Hotel also built in the 1880s.

Grand and imposing hotels had been built to cater for the needs of Melbourne’s gentry and high society, as well as wealthy graziers and miners from rural Victoria. A fine example, the Royal Hotel (pictured below) was built in the 1880s.

Queenscliff has many older, carefully restored homes as well as these hotels with many being included on the Victorian Heritage Register and also enjoying National Trust protection.

Fort Queenscliff was the ‘other’ reason for the township .A military and Naval facility, it was developed from 1860 onwards. Fort Queenscliff was the key component in protecting the new colony and Melbourne. It played the commanding role in the defence of the entrance to Port Phillip Bay. The bay and its entrance was the most heavily defended British Port in the Southern Hemisphere at the time.

Please take the time to visit ‘old’ Queenscliff. For many people it is the opportunity to step back in history and admire the many Italianate Victorian buildings and the infrastructure of the times that to some extent is still intact, very much a living heritage.

Heritage Advisory Service

The Heritage Advisor is an architect experienced in building conservation with detailed knowledge of buildings in the Borough. Advice is provided to the Council on proposals affecting the heritage precincts and buildings listed in the Queenscliffe Planning Scheme. This may concern precincts, individual buildings, trees or other elements in the streetscape.

The Heritage Advisor is available to consult with building owners, prospective purchasers, builders and designers. The advisor may be able to assist in the following ways:

  • Advising on colour schemes.
  • Locating early photographs of buildings to assist in restoration.
  • Designing building elements such as fences, verandas and suitable extensions and alterations in styles to match particular buildings.
  • Providing names of local suppliers or contractors for specialist building conservation work.
  • Identifying sources of funding for restoration works.
  • Recommending appropriate materials and finishes.

To make an appointment with the Borough’s Heritage Advisor please contact Customer Service on 03 5258 1377.

The Heritage Advisory Service is a partnership between state and local government and is funded jointly by the Borough of Queenscliffe and Heritage Victoria.

Source: queenscliffe.vic.gov.au

When considering Heritage precincts statewide this is an excellent and visionary program. If only other areas could adopt such a complete package.

Many buildings and property within the precinct are now well heritage protected. The Victorian Government introduced the Queenscliff Heritage Advisory Service in 1980. At the same time the Queenscliff Heritage Restoration Fund was established to provide grants and low interest loans to assist property owners in carrying out approved restoration works.

Much of the direction taken in the Borough is the result of the urban conservation study undertaken in 1984. The current planning scheme for the Borough actually incorporates many of the findings of that study. It provides a good blueprint for the exacting standards required to achieve such effective heritage protection in this type of historic location and to the scale that ensures a uniform retention of all heritage buildings and features.

Today, if you as a property owner in the area contact the Advisory Service (see previous description) you can gain real assistance. The information we have included is from the Boroughs website and is a summary of what is offered.

Queenscliff – it’s a wonderful destination and a real inspiration to genuine aficionados of Victoria’s most interesting and inspiring heritage – be sure to include it in your travels.

For some such a visit may even prompt a purchase in the area. To facilitate renovations or restorations within the Queenscliff Heritage precinct, although there is the Heritage Advisory Service, you will in all probability need a qualified and experienced Heritage Architect to assist in the practical planning and execution of your renovations. With many of the town’s buildings individually Heritage Listed and the remaining areas all falling under defined Heritage Overlays there are definite requirements that must be considered and honoured with regard to such properties.In engaging an experienced Heritage Architect you will ensure a trouble free smooth transition to your ultimate living situation in your newly acquired property.

Andrew Fedorowicz (Fellow of the Australian Institute of Architects) is a passionate Heritage Architect with decades of experience and a superb portfolio of previous projects.He is most definitely expert in revitalising and restoring a true,accurate yet eminently livable Heritage vision to historical properties. Call now on 0418 341 443 to arrange a free, no-obligation consultation with Andrew, Balance Architecture’s Principal Architect Make a time to suit your itinerary convenient to you. (As a bonus there are Heritage grants available for restorations and approved maintenance projects within the Queenscliff environs.) Otherwise you can leave your details here for a prompt reply.

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