Black Rock, Victoria

Infobox Australian Place | type = suburb
name = Black Rock
city = Melbourne
state = vic

---

caption =
lga = City of Bayside
postcode = 3193
pop = 5796 (2006) Census 2006 AUS | id = SSC21081 | name = Black Rock (State Suburb) | accessdate = 2007-09-26 | quick = on]
area = 3.7
est =
propval = $901,000 [ [http://www.domain.com.au/public/suburbprofile.aspx?suburb=Black%20Rock&postcode=3193 Black Rock] , accessed 15 October 2007]
stategov = Sandringham
fedgov = Goldstein
dist1 = 20
location1= Melbourne
near-nw =
near-n = Sandringham
near-ne = Cheltenham
near-w = "Port Phillip"
near-e = Beaumaris
near-sw =
near-s = "Port Phillip"
near-se =

Black Rock is a suburb of Melbourne which lies on the shoreline of Port Phillip Bay about 18km south east of the CBD, and is located in the heart of the City of Bayside local government area. At the 2006 census, Black Rock had a population of 5796.

The suburb was named after Black Rock House, a grand residence built by Charles Hotson Ebden in 1856, who had taken the name from Black Rock, Dublin. Ebden was an early Port Phillip pastoralist as well as being a businessman and parliamentarian representing the seat of Brighton in the Victorian Parliament. Black Rock House is on the Register of the National Estate.

One of the notable characteristics of the Black Rock shoreline is Red Bluff. The bluff's name comes from the oxidised iron in the cliffs which gives off a burnt orange colour. Either side of Red Bluff are many popular beaches and seaside destinations, including Half Moon Bay. Half Moon Bay had been setting for yachting since the 1890s, and a branch of the Brighton Yacht Club formed the Black Rock Yacht Club in 1919. A rock breakwater was constructed and in 1926 the hull of the colonial naval vessel HMVS Cerberus was added to further protect the boat haven.

In 1888, the year after the railway was extended to Sandringham, a horse tram was provided between Sandringham and Black Rock, running on to Beaumaris. The service, which lasted until 1914, was replaced by a tram service in 1919. In 1910 a State primary school was opened in Black Rock which continues to operate to this day.

Like many neighbouring suburbs, the residential development in Black Rock dates partly in the postwar period and due to active conservation movements for the protection of native plants beside roads and on heathlands, Black Rock boasts beautiful surrounds. There are many recreational reserves located throughout the shoreline and near the town centre. The major shopping centre in Black Rock, located at the intersection of Bluff, Beach and Balcombe Roads is home to the prominent Black Rock Clock Tower.

Median house prices in Black Rock during 1987-96 were between 100% and 140% higher than the median prices for metropolitan Melbourne. The postcode for Black Rock is 3193.

Landmarks

* The HMVS Cerberus - A breakwater in Half Moon Bay formed by the sunken wreck of Australia's first ironclad warship, HMVS Cerberus
* Black Rock Clock Tower - A large four sided public clock mounted on a tall brick structure in the middle of a roundabout at the intersection of Beach Road and Balcombe Road. A popular starting point for cycle rides along Beach Road including the (in)famous "Hell Ride".
* Black Rock House - a grand residence built by Charles Hotson Ebden in 1856.
* 'The Rock' - fine Edwardian residence on Beach Rd near the clock tower. Famous for its balcony with sublime bay views and fantastic bar, often considered to be the best private bar in victoria.

Parks and Gardens

* Black Rock Gardens and Playgrounds
Location: Opposite Clock Tower, Beach Road
* F.G. Tricks Reserve
Location: Cnr Bluff Road & Fern Street

Notable former residents

* Alan Marshall, Australian writer, story teller and social documentor.
* Kirstie Marshall, Australian aerial skier and Victorian state politician.
* Edward Bertram Johnston, politician.
* Mary Vale, artist.
* Shane Warne, former Australian cricketing legend.

References

External links

* [http://web.archive.org/web/20040511085919/www.arts.monash.edu.au/ncas/multimedia/gazetteer/list/blackrock.html Australian Places - Black Rock]