3. POST OFFICE
Corner Hesse and Hobson Streets

This building dates from 1887. It has a fine entry, and some grand ornamentation. The building style was heralded as ‘Queen Anne’ at the time, although somewhat freely treated. Public buildings had class in the olden days!

The Post Office has had many alterations over the years. However, it has been restored as near as possible to its original state.

The first carriage of mail to and from Queenscliff was by spring cart operated by Thomas Gibson for £1200 per year.

The first Post Office opened in May 1853, in the original farmhouse towards the northern end of Learmonth Street.

In 1869 a new Post Office was erected near the lighthouses, in the Fort grounds. However, when the Fort walls enclosed the Post Office and the locals were required to be guided through the gates, the Post Office moved again, firstly to a cottage in Pilots Row in 1883, and then to its present site in 1887.