4. Green Point

Green Point with its lawns, gardens and vista of Port Phillip Bay and the Melbourne city skyline has always been a major attraction for residents and visitors. When the railway line reached Brighton Beach in 1861, the whole foreshore soon became a most desirable destination, and for many years both train and tram lines terminated here. The area drew large crowds eager to enjoy the hotel, cafes, sea-baths, pier and the formal and informal gardens. Carnivals were popular with both holiday makers and day trippers.

Brighton Council formed a foreshore improvements committee in 1879, which recommended a prize of 10 pounds for the best design of the formal gardens. Although this was not awarded, the gardens were fenced and over the years were improved, culminating with a major expansion in 1900 which included extensive gardens, public conveniences, a band rotunda and a kiosk. Further improvements were carried out in 1910, including the completion of the tea tree planting project, which started ten years before. The Cenotaph was built as a war memorial and originally had large cannons on the corners of the base. It was completed in 1927 and was used for ANZAC Day services for many years.                             

In 1930 Brighton Council carried out a major extension of Green Point using Sustenance workers, who built stone walls and rock facings to protect the area and stop erosion. A stone projection was built to protect the beach and this carried a sign warning not to swim there because of a notorious ‘whirlpool’ effect. After a tragic mishap, this sign was replaced with a larger sign warning of the danger in many different languages. The annual Bright’n’Sandy Food and Wine Festival continues the celebratory usage of the Point begun by those popular carnivals so many years ago.