Out and About in Williamstown
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Williamstown really is one of two totally different entities that combine to make it one of Melbourne's most liveable inner-city locations.
On one hand, it's a well preserved historic port and maritime village and, on the other, a vibrant entertainment precinct and much sought after residential address, drawing visitors from far and wide to its bars and restaurants, but also offering an attractive mix of period and contemporary homes.
It's also the centre of Melbourne's recreational boating industry with literally thousands of boats of all shapes and sizes dotting moorings and marinas right around town.
Williamstown was first explored in 1803 but it wasn't until 1835 that John Batman named it Port Harwood and established a safe harbour for vessels unloading supplies for the new Port Phillip settlement. By 1837, moves were afoot to have the new colony's main settlement established here, at a site named Williams Town in honour of King William IV. A lack of freshwater meant that the settlement was set up further inland on the banks of the Yarra and Williams Town became its port. By 1849 Williams Town, had evolved to become Williamstown, a boomtown throughout the 1850s as the great Victorian gold rush brought an unprecedented explosion of wealth and growth in the colony.
Between then and now, it has been a bawdy, rough seafaring settlement and a heavily industrialised working-class suburb where men downed tools on the docks or in the naval shipyard each afternoon and headed to the town's pubs to drink until closing time at 6 PM. The infamous 'six 0'clock swill'.
Today, rich in history and maritime heritage, Williamstown is tucked away from mainstream suburbia and radiates a year-round seaside holiday atmosphere.
It's an easy place to explore on foot. The Strand meanders along the waterfront, from Greenwich Reserve to the Ferguson Street Pier, and boasts an eclectic array of prime residential properties enjoying expansive views across the river and Hobson's Bay to the Melbourne city skyline.
From Ferguson Street, Nelson Place follows the waterfront southeast past Hobson's Bay Yacht Club and the Royal Victorian Motor Yacht Club to Commonwealth Reserve, the site of the original settlement.
On the south side of Nelson Place, the streetscape is a long and impressive collection of 19th-century buildings. In 1880, this was 'the front', the fashionable end of town with its shops, commercial premises and the fabulous Williamstown Coffee Palace. Most of those buildings have now been transformed into bars and restaurants providing everything from a quick drink to classic a-la-carte dining.
Opposite, behind the trees and manicured lawns of Commonwealth Reserve, the museum ship
HMAS Castlemaine sits moored at Gem Pier.
HMAS Castlemaine is a World War 2 Corvette/Mine Sweeper built at Williamstown and launched on 7th August 1941. Also on display in the reserve are the original Tide Gauge Housing and an anchor from the former flagship of the Victorian Navy, HMS Nelson.
From Commonwealth Reserve, Nelson Place continues to parallel the coast past the Royal Yacht Club of Victoria, Seaworks, the Victorian Water Police Headquarters and the BAE shipbuilding complex.
Seaworks is a maritime historic precinct occupying the original Melbourne Harbor Trust Stores and Workshops built on the site between 1887and1888.
The site is frequently visited by Melbourne's tall-ship
Enterprize and regularly hosts other visiting tall-ships.
Seaworks Pirates Tavern is one of Melbourne's best kept secrets with plenty of entertainment in a true nautical atmosphere.
Opposite, on the corner of Nelson Place and Kanowna Street, is the
Titanic Theatre Restaurant . A grand old building of Georgian design constructed in 1857, this was formerly the Prince of Wales Hotel and still has cast-iron shackles fixed to the cellar walls used to hold shanghaied seamen waiting to be put aboard ships.
At the end of Nelson Place, right on the shoreline stands the historic Time Ball Tower. The first lighthouse was built here in 1840 and replaced in 1848 by the bluestone structure we see today.
In 1853, the Government Astronomer established a time-ball which was moved to the top of the bluestone tower in 1860. Daily at precisely 1 o'clock, the large copper ball dropped from the top of the tower, allowing ships in harbour to accurately set their chronometers.
Past the time-ball is the old Fort Gellibrand site and beyond that, The Esplanade leads to Williamstown Beach with its cafe, kiosk and life-saving club.
Far removed from its rough working-class days and just a relaxed ferry ride from Southbank, the old and new Williamstown blend effortlessly to provide a rewarding insight into one of Victoria's premier historic precincts.
Top-5 Things to do in Williamstown …..
1. Visit the museum ship
HMAS Castlemaine berthed at Gem Pier. Castlemaine is normally open to the public on Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday between 8 AM and 4 PM. Visit the website www.hmascastlemaine.org.au for full details or telephone on (03) 9897 2363.
2. Head on down to
Seaworks a not-for-profit organisation promoting Victoria's maritime history. Seaworks Maritime Museum is routinely open on Friday, Sunday and Wednesday between 11 AM and 3 PM. Check the website www.seaworks.com.au for full details or telephone on (03) 9397 8528.
3. Take a scenic flight around Melbourne and Port Phillip Bay with
Melbourne Seaplanes . Check out their website at www.melbourneseaplanes.com.au or telephone (03) 9397 5388 for flight details, availability and costing.
4. Enjoy a night of fun-filled entertainment and dining at the
Titanic Theatre Restaurant . Go to the website www.titanic.com.au or telephone on (03) 9397 5101 for full details, availability and cost.
5. Take the ferry to Williamstown from Melbourne's Southbank with
Williamstown Ferries . Check the time-table and cost on the website at www.williamstownferries.com.au or telephone (03) 9682 9555.
In the current Covid environment, even though Victoria is well on the way to getting back to normal it might be a good idea to contact the various attractions to determine their Covid status.
Getting There …..
Just 8-Kilometres from Melbourne CBD take the Westgate Freeway south, cross the Westgate Bridge and turn left into Williamstown Road.
Alternatively
Williamstown Ferries and
Melbourne Cruises operate regular services between Williamstown and Southbank in the heart of Melbourne.
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156883 - 2023-06-14 13:04:28