HMAS Lonsdale was a shore establishment of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), located in Port Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Commissioned on 28 August 1940, it served primarily as a naval reserve training depot and a support base for RAN personnel and ships visiting Melbourne.
Initially established to consolidate various naval operations in Melbourne, HMAS Lonsdale rapidly expanded its functions during World War II. It became a significant training and administrative hub, particularly notable for housing the main training and accommodation facilities for the Women's Royal Australian Naval Service (WRANS) in Victoria. The base provided essential support for naval operations in the region, including logistics, administration, and personnel services for both permanent and reserve forces.
After World War II, HMAS Lonsdale continued its role as a vital naval reserve depot and shore establishment, maintaining its importance for the RAN's presence in Melbourne. It provided ongoing training for reservists and acted as a shore base for various naval detachments and visiting warships.
HMAS Lonsdale was eventually decommissioned on 2 October 1992, bringing an end to over five decades of service to the Royal Australian Navy. Following its decommissioning, the site in Port Melbourne was redeveloped for other uses.