Polly Woodside - Closed for Redevelopment

Polly Woodside, built in 1885 and owned and operated by the National Trust of Australia (Vic), is one of the world’s most significant, surviving iron vessels afloat, a tangible reminder of Australia’s rich maritime history and an iconic feature of riverside Melbourne.

Polly Woodside has been closed since 30 April 2006 to allow for the major redevelopment of the lower Yarra’s southern bank. The redevelopment, announced by the Victorian Government in February 2006, includes a 5,000-seat convention centre, a five-star hotel, an office and residential tower, and riverfront retail promenade.

On 26 August 2008, Melbourne’s iconic tall ship Polly Woodside was moved for the first time in 33 years when the refurbishment of her current home, the Duke’s Dry Dock began.

The $13 million refurbishment of the dock and adjacent area including former wharf sheds as a maritime precinct, will ensure Polly’s future as a major Victorian National Trust tourist attraction, and provide a new link to Melbourne’s seafaring heritage.

Major Projects Minister Theo Theophanous said the restoration of the Duke’s Dock would provide the Polly Woodside with an essential and vastly improved berth.

National Trust CEO Martin Purslow said: “We look forward to commencing work on Polly Woodside to ensure she is maintained for future generations to enjoy”.

“We welcome the State Government’s major commitment to both Polly and her home, Duke’s Dock. She is the State’s largest moveable heritage asset and we look forward to welcoming visitors back once she is reopened to the public”.

To enable work on the 107m long dock, the Polly Woodside will be moved to a mooring nearby on the Yarra before a temporary dam wall is built allowing the water to be pumped out of the Dock. A new dock wall, gates and base slab with keel supports for the Polly Woodside will be built, before the ship is moved back into the dock.

The refurbishment forms part of the $1.4 billion Melbourne Convention Centre development precinct currently taking shape at South Wharf on the Yarra.


The work to Duke’s Dock is expected to take around ten months to complete, with work to Polly Woodside scheduled to start thereafter.

The State Government is providing $8.86 million for the refurbishment of Duke’s Dock while the Plenary Group and National Trust are providing $4 million for the works on the adjacent area and the Polly Woodside itself.

The 120-year old Polly Woodside is one of only a small number of nineteenth century barques still afloat in the world. In 1988, Polly was awarded the World Ship Trust medal for the quality of the restoration, the first merchant vessel to be given this honour. Other ships to have been given the award include Great Britain (awarded the medal in 1996) and Cutty Sark (in 2000).

A book, Polly Woodside - Melbourne's Tall Ship by Ann Gibson is available from the National Trust of Australia (Victoria). It details the fascinating history of the ship and the people who sailed in her. A ‘must read’ for anyone interested in the Polly Woodside or Melbourne’s maritime history.

For more information about the closure, the redevelopment of the museum, and the continued conservation of Polly Woodside visit www.melbournemaritimemuseum.com.au. To order the book, please contact the National Trust on +61 3 9656 9800 or email polly@nattrust.com.au