This study, emphasising the prime position of the port of Melbourne in handling Victoria's imports and exports, aims to distinguish the functional characteristics of this "capital port". A study of the internal and external relations of Geelong and Portland has been added to that of Melbourne so that a comparison between its characteristics and those of smaller, and functionally-more-specialised, ports is possible. In addition, consideration of the three ports makes possible a regional port-geography; a study that seems fitting for this first detailed examination of the hinterlands and forelands of an Australian "capital port".