A walk through Docklands’ past

A walk through Docklands’ past

Docklands’ history will come to life through a new walking tour mobile app released last month.

Developed by Places Victoria, the Dockside Tour is the first in a series of Docklands walking tours mobile apps, which will tell many of Docklands’ hidden stories.

The Dockside Tour explores the history and stories of wharfies and railway workers who helped turn Docklands into Victoria’s busiest port.

Given its focus on Docklands’ maritime history, the app was fittingly launched at the Melbourne Regatta on August 28.

The app guides users around 25 different stops across a 4.5 km route in Docklands and features narrated stories.

The stories captured by the app include tales from former wharfie Jim Beggs, who worked in Docklands and was the last national president of the Australian Waterside Workers Federation.

Places Victoria general manager precincts Simon Wilson said the app was designed to encourage more people to learn about Docklands’ history.

“The app is an engaging way of illustrating the fascinating maritime and industrial history of Docklands and sharing this with the wider community,” Mr Wilson said.

“The trail explores the rich heritage of Docklands from the arrival of European settlers to its transformation into an area of bustling wharves, warehouses and railways.”

“Some of the stories narrated on the app are really quite incredible, particularly the story of the creation of Victoria Dock, which was dug out by hand to a depth of 9.5 metres between 1889 and 1892,” Mr Wilson said.

Places Victoria plans to develop at least another two walking tours exploring other areas of Docklands history, including the area’s indigenous culture and heritage.

“We are working to complement the Dockside trail with the vibrant stories and heritage of the Wurundjeri and Boon Wurrung people of the Kulin nation,” Mr Wilson said. “There are some really interesting stories still to be told.”

The app is free to download and is compatible with Apple and Android phones.

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