About Altona

Located just 10 kilometres from Melbourne’s CBD, Altona is a popular beach-side town. The town’s centre is home to the Hobson’s Bay Council Chambers, the Altona train station, Altona’s main shopping strip Pier Street, and continues onto the Altona Pier.

Altona beach is on the inner shore of Port Phillip Bay. It has shallow water and convenient adjacent park (Login Reserve) for some shade of the tall pine trees or a play on the children’s equipment.

The Bay Bicycle Track follows the shore line of Altona beach into neighbouring towns of Altona Meadows and Williamstown. The Bay Bicycle Track links walkers, cyclists and roller bladders through Newport, Port Melbourne, St Kilda and all the way through to Carrum covering 69 kilometres. The bike track has the option of riding through Altona’s Cherry Lake Reserve located on Millers Road. This popular park, formerly known as the Altona Swamp, is the perfect spot to observe hundreds of species of native and migratory birds as well as the endangered Altona Skipper Butterfly. The 3.5 kilometre walking and bike friendly track that surrounds the lake also has an observation hutch along the way. The BBQ and picnic facilities and children’s playground make this park a great family recreational spot as well as providing windsurfers, anglers and remote control boats a safe environment to enjoy.

History of Altona

The Altona Homestead, located at 128 Queen Street on Logan Reserve, is the oldest standing building. Originally built in 1837, the Homestead was owned by the first settlers of Altona Alfred Langhorne and his wife Sarah. In 1988 it was fully restored and this blue stone cottage is now home to the Altona Laverton Historical Society. The Homestead is open every Tuesday from 11am to 2pm and the first Sunday of the month from 2 to 4pm. A small entry fee applies ($2 for adults and 50c for children). Visit the first homestead in the area and learn about Altona's history. The Homestead was used as the council chambers by the 'Shire of Altona' from 1957 until Altona was proclaimed a city in December 1968. For more information about the Homestead or the Altona Laverton Historical Society, please contact Ann Cassar on acassar@optusnet.com.au. Membership to the society is only $15.

The Victorian Railway system was stretched out to Pier Street Altona in 1888 making Altona more accessible from the city.

The Altona Coal Mine operated between 1905 and 1919 and was situated on the site which is presently known as Harrington Square on Maidstone Street, Altona.

Known as the first Melbourne community hospital, the Altona Hospital was established on Queen Street in an old house in 1932. The doctor in charge was Dr Joel. The Altona Hospital was eventually closed after 64 years of serving its community in November 1996. Louis Joel Arts and Community Centre opened in the same building in November of 2005.

Cherry Lake, formally the Altona Swamp was named after Robert Cherry who was a local farmer and landowner in the late 1800’s. In the 1970’s the basin was created to help prevent Altona from flooding.

Every resident should visit the Truganina Explosives Reserve to learn more about our past. The keeper's residence at the Truganina Explosives Reserve is often open to the public and includes site tours and the chance to relax in the re-landscaped garden. For more information about the reserve or the truganina Explosives Reserve Preservation Society, contact Jack Hallowell on 9315 6851.

Altona has a blend of historic and modern attractions in pleasant seaside landscape. With all modern facilities and ready access to the city it is the perfect place for families to reside.