From the beginning, the beautiful promontory of Queenscliff played a unique role in colonial history. This title talks about Queenscliff's 'aristocracies' of pilots, lifeboat men and First World War soldiers; the rise and fall of the fishing industry; and the troubles of early Fort Queenscliff.

It breaks new ground on William Buckley as a go-between; Queenscliff's 'aristocracies' of pilots, lifeboat men and First World War soldiers; the rise and fall of the fishing industry; and the untold troubles of early Fort Queenscliff. Most of all it essays - with Barry Hill's touch as a poet - upon the resonance of Queenscliff as a place.