Williamstown is not part of the greater Geelong region but part of Melbourne’s western seaside suburbs. We have included it on Intown as this up and coming trendy township and Melbourne’s first port is under an hour’s drive from the centre of Geelong. Williamstown has so much to offer and is the ideal place for a daytrip from the Geelong region.
Williamstown like Queenscliff on the Bellarine Peninsula is a step back in time with historic buildings a rich history but a fresh and cosmopolitan vibe. The town has been built with its rich maritime past and still today the sea is an important part of the Williamstown’s life blood with boat and ship builders, fishermen and tourist and recreation craft all taking advantage the town and its location and waters.
The historic buildings of the Strand and nelson Place are home to boutiques, speciality stores and some of Melbourne’s best eateries, where alfresco dining is very popular all year round with magnificent views of the Hobson Bay, Yarra River, the West Gate Bridge and shinny high glass skyline of Melbourne to the North.
Gem Pier is home to the towns Maritime Museum which is located on the HMAS Castlemaine moored at the pier. This historic vessel was a World War II minesweeper which has been painstakingly restored by volunteers. The pier is home to various tourist operators including several watercraft and a ferry service taking visitors to Melbourne’s Southbank and Docklands precincts up the Yarra River.
The third Sunday of every month is the Williamstown Craft Market, here around 100 stall holders sell a wide array of products including some beautiful and interesting art, gourmet food all home made and there’s always plenty of entertainment. The market has been a popular attraction for over 25 years and is located on the Commonwealth Reserve off Nelson’s Place.
Commonwealth Reserve also plays host to the fantastic Williamston Festival which is held on the last weekend in March each year. Running for over 30 years the festival features some unique entertainers, with vibrant performances in music, dance and even busking. Many community cultural groups perform, there are fireworks, a traditional cannon firing and plenty of family fun.
Nestling nearly under the West Gate Bridge is a favourite attraction,especially with school groups and the young is the Museum of Victoria’s Scienceworks, set on the site of a historic sewage pumping station it now features interactive displays on all things scientific including some amazing technical displays.
Port Gellibrand Costal Heritage Walk is a beautiful open space with a rich history dating back to the 1840’s including being home to a historic burial ground, a stone sea wall made with convict labour and the Timeball Tower which was constructed in 1849 to guide ships around the nasty reef. The park has a bicycle trail and walking paths and plenty of facilities like toilets, car parking and bbq area. Fishing and bird watching are popular in the area as is playing in the cool waters off Shelly Beach.
Another popular reserve is the Jawbone Flora and Fauna reserve which stretches from the mighty West Gate Bridge through Williamstown down to Point Cook to the south. Included in along the reserve is the old Rifle Range now a housing estate, it has been an important area in Victoria’s historic events including holding the Rifle shooting for the 1956 Olympic Games and a major training facility for the police and soldiers for the World Wars. The reserve is home to an amazing array of bird life including several migratory species which travel from the northern hemisphere every year.
