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The Best Things to Do in Williamstown for a Dreamy Day by the Bay
Salt air, Gold Rush bones. This is Williamstown done beautifully.
The best things to do in Williamstown include strolling historic Gem Pier, exploring Point Gellibrand, swimming at Williamstown Beach and stretching a waterfront lunch well into the afternoon, with Melbourne’s skyline shimmering across the bay. But Williamstown has always been rather good at making an entrance.
Melbourne’s original flirt comes dressed in bluestone corsets, with sea-salt hair, handsome maritime history and a glazed light that edits your mood. Once the city’s first port, it’s now a breezy procession of yachts, heritage façades, excellent coffee and waterfront tables made for long lunches and second glasses. Cobbled streets give way to palm-lined promenades, where seagulls drift past old steeples and the city looks almost impossibly lovely from across the water.
History sits underfoot, harbour shimmer ahead. At Gem Pier, the story stretches back to 1838–39, when a bluestone jetty welcomed ships to the fledgling settlement. These days, the arrivals are rather more leisurely: market wanderers, beachgoers and friends gathering over fish and chips, spritzes and the last of the afternoon sunshine. Stay until sunset. Williamstown still knows how to deliver a standing ovation.
In This Guide
The Best Things to Do in Williamstown
Gem Pier
Williamstown’s hello and goodbye, Gem Pier has welcomed arrivals since a bluestone jetty was built here in 1839. Rebuilt several times, today’s timber pier occupies the same historic waterfront where passengers and cargo once came ashore at Melbourne’s first port. Its name comes from the paddle steamer Gem, which ferried travellers across the bay in the 19th century. Today, it’s gulls gossiping, ferries gliding and the city skyline looking rather pleased with itself across the water. Start your Williamstown wander here.
1 Syme Street, Williamstown
Step Aboard HMAS Castlemaine
Docked beside the promenade, this WWII museum ship turns a casual bayside wander into something tactile and unexpectedly moving. You can clamber through the vessel, take in the tight quarters and speak to the volunteers who know every ladder, deck and wartime detail. It gives the suburb extra ballast, a reminder that Williamstown has always had one foot in beauty and the other in serious maritime history.
1 Syme Street, Williamstown
Walk Point Gellibrand and the Timeball Tower
Williamstown’s wilder, more windswept story lives at Point Gellibrand. On Bunurong Country, this grassy headland became a gateway to Melbourne’s first deep-water port, its bluestone quarried for the growing city. The magnificent Timeball Tower began life as a lighthouse in 1849; from 1861, its ball dropped at precisely 1pm so sailors could set their chronometers for long voyages. Today, it’s all salt air, coastal paths and enormous sky, with Melbourne’s skyline looking almost impossibly far away across the water.
Do a Proper Botanic Gardens to Beach Double Act
The Williamstown Botanic Gardens have a way of making an ordinary afternoon feel rather grand. Opened in 1860, they’re a beautifully preserved slice of Victorian and Edwardian Melbourne, with soaring palm avenues, marble statuary, winding paths and an ornamental pond. Wander beneath the old trees, admire the garden’s immaculate manners, then stroll down to Williamstown Beach, where sand and sea air take over. If the day is warm, you swim. If it is not, you sit there looking expensive while eating chips. Either way, the formula works.
Williamstown Botanic Gardens, corner Giffard and Osborne Streets, Williamstown
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Stretch It Out on the Coastal Trail
If you like a walk that justifies the snacks, Williamstown has 23 kilometres of temptation. The Hobsons Bay Coastal Trail follows the shoreline from the West Gate Bridge to Skeleton Creek, but there’s no need to tackle the lot. Take the Williamstown stretch past Gem Pier, Point Gellibrand and the Botanic Gardens towards the beach, where maritime history meets wide-open bay views. Feeling ambitious? Continue towards Jawbone Reserve for wetlands and birdlife. Late afternoon is especially lovely, when the water starts tossing light around like confetti.
Add the Sunday Extras
Williamstown saves some of its best work for Sundays. On the third Sunday of most months, the Williamstown Craft Market spreads across Commonwealth Reserve beneath old elm trees, with more than 50 stalls of handmade treasures, homegrown produce and edible treats. Music drifts from the rotunda, the makers are happy to chat, and Melbourne’s skyline provides a rather handsome backdrop to your browsing.
A wander along Nelson Place leads to Seaworks, where historic cargo sheds, heritage vessels and the Maritime Museum keep Williamstown’s seafaring past wonderfully close. Inside, ship photographs, naval artefacts and stories of the old port await, while the wider precinct hosts everything from exhibitions to waterfront festivals. Throw in a cheeky afternoon drink, and Sunday is looking exceptionally well spent.
Sitchu Tip: The market generally runs from 10am to 4pm, closing at 3pm from May to September. Check the calendar before visiting, as dates occasionally change. Seaworks’ grounds open daily from 9am until sunset, while the Maritime Museum opens Wednesdays and Sundays, 11am to 3pm ($10 adults).
Williamstown Craft Market, Commonwealth Reserve, 181A Nelson Place, Williamstown
Seaworks Maritime Precinct, 82 Nelson Place, Williamstown
The Best Cafes, Bars & Restaurants in Williamstown
Bean Stalker
There’s a little coffee nerdery happening just off Nelson Place, and Bean Stalker wears it well. This Cole Street favourite pours Zest espresso and carefully selected single origins, with matcha, chai and toasted panini for company. The takeaway window keeps Williamstown’s morning walkers caffeinated, while inside, shelves of Victorian-roasted beans and brewing gear reward a longer browse.
Grab a flat white for the harbour, then investigate the beans for home. Your kitchen coffee may never taste quite the same again.
2 Cole Street, Williamstown
Suburb: Williamstown
Price Guide: $
Cuisine: Specialty Coffee, Cafe
Best For: Takeaway coffee, specialty beans, light bites, waterfront walks
Kodama Coffee
At Kodama Coffee, Williamstown’s morning crowd has excellent taste. This light-filled Stevedore Street favourite draws loyal locals for beautifully made coffee and a brunch menu with a few delicious surprises. Turkish eggs arrive with herbed yoghurt, halloumi and za’atar; char siu pork belly fills a soft roll; and smashed avo gets a colourful lift from beetroot hummus. There’s even an iced crème brûlée latte for those who like their caffeine with dessert credentials. Consider the harbour walk your reward for getting through breakfast.
69–71 Stevedore Street, Williamstown
Suburb: Williamstown
Price Guide: $$
Cuisine: Modern Australian Cafe
Best For: Specialty coffee, brunch dates, leisurely breakfasts, takeaway coffee
Hobson Bay Fish & Chip Shop
No Williamstown day out is complete without hot chips in your hand and a healthy level of seagull vigilance. On Ferguson Street, Hobson Bay Fish & Chip Shop keeps the seaside tradition alive with golden battered flake, crisp potato cakes, calamari and old-school burgers. Order generously, carry your paper-wrapped bounty towards the foreshore and find a spot overlooking the water. The skyline makes excellent company, although the gulls have rather less honourable intentions.
61 Ferguson Street, Williamstown
Suburb: Williamstown
Price Guide: $
Cuisine: Fish & Chips, Seafood
Best For: Seaside picnics, takeaway lunches, family outings, budget-friendly eats
Gem Pier Seafood
Some of Williamstown’s finest seafood comes from a fishmonger bobbing beside the pier. Run by a fourth-generation fishing family, Gem Pier Seafood sources much of its catch directly from vessels working Victoria’s southern coast and western Tasmania. The ready-to-eat selection is a waterside feast in miniature: Southern Rock lobster rolls, sashimi plates, freshly shucked oysters and platters piled with prawns. Take yours towards the harbour and watch the boats come and go. It’s about as close as lunch gets to a working waterfront.
Sitchu Tip: The Williamstown outpost opens Friday to Sunday, 8am–3pm. Make the lobster roll your first order.
1 Syme Street, Williamstown
Suburb: Williamstown
Price Guide: $$
Cuisine: Seafood, Takeaway
Best For: Lobster rolls, fresh oysters, waterfront picnics, seafood lovers
The Kiosk d’Asporto
Williamstown Beach has a distinctly Italian approach to the post-swim snack. Right beside the sand, The Kiosk d’Asporto is the seaside sibling of local favourite Pizza d’Asporto, where morning coffees and freshly baked cornetti give way to chicken schnitzel panini with roasted capsicum, golden fish and chips, and gelato. Order at the window, claim a spot overlooking the bay and enjoy your little Italian interlude with Melbourne’s skyline across the water. There are worse places to get crumbs on your swimsuit.
Sitchu Tip: Early swimmers, take note. The kiosk opens from 7am daily, making coffee and a pastry an excellent reward for your morning dip.
99 Esplanade, Williamstown
Suburb: Williamstown
Price Guide: $
Cuisine: Italian, Cafe, Seafood
Best For: Beachside breakfasts, post-swim snacks, casual lunches, gelato
Sebastian
Williamstown’s old bathing pavilion has developed a rather delicious Spanish accent. At Sebastian, the spirit of San Sebastián comes alive beside the sand, with anchovy-and-olive gildas, leek croquettes, whole market fish cooked over charcoal and a Basque cheesecake worth saving room for. Beyond the dining room, the seasonal Beach Bar brings striped umbrellas, cold drinks and front-row seats to Port Phillip Bay’s evening performance. Book a long lunch, order another round and see where the afternoon takes you.
Sitchu Tip: The Beach Bar is mostly walk-in, so arrive around midday to secure a table. It’s weather-dependent, with extended trading through summer.
26 Esplanade, Williamstown
Suburb: Williamstown
Price Guide: $$$
Cuisine: Basque, Spanish
Best For: Long lunches, sunset drinks, beachside dining, date nights
Hobson Bay Hotel
At Hobsons Bay Hotel, the best seat in the house is three storeys up. This century-old Williamstown pub has had a handsome second act: a brasserie-style dining room downstairs, a fireplace and leafy balcony upstairs, and a rooftop with Port Phillip Bay and Melbourne’s skyline laid out before you. The menu keeps its pub credentials intact, with chicken parma, Monday steak specials and a Sunday roast. Head upstairs for a sunset spritz; the retractable roof even has an answer for Melbourne’s famously temperamental weather.
Sitchu Tip: Thursday’s $21 chicken parma comes with a complimentary pot of beer or glass of wine from 5pm. Hello, midweek pub date.
28 Ferguson Street, Williamstown
Suburb: Williamstown
Price Guide: $$
Cuisine: Modern Australian, Pub
Best For: Rooftop drinks, sunset views, pub classics, group catch-ups
Lower West Side Wine Bar
The grown-up closer. At Lower West Side, Williamstown gets a little New York after dark: bottle-lined walls, warm lighting and a timber bar made for settling into the evening. Australian wines share the list with French and Italian discoveries, while the European-inspired kitchen tempts with charcuterie, croquettes and comforting plates worth making dinner of. Slide onto a stool, let the staff recommend your next glass and consider the day’s harbour walking sufficient exercise. The second pour practically orders itself.
Sitchu Tip: Walk-ins are welcome, but book ahead for groups of six or more. The bar opens Wednesday to Sunday evenings.
Shop 4, 73–83 Douglas Parade, Williamstown
Suburb: Williamstown
Price Guide: $$
Cuisine: European, Wine Bar
Best For: Date nights, wine tastings, intimate dinners, after-dark drinks
Bathtub Gin Company
The old Stevedores’ Association building has traded meetings for martinis. At Bathtub Gin Co., copper stills gleam against exposed brick as former doctor Wayne Bourke turns out small-batch spirits with a mischievous streak. Try juniper-heavy Angry Duck, cherry-infused Best Day Ever or Williamstown Gin, a nod to the suburb’s dockworkers. Dinner comes from Ms Kim’s Vietnamese kitchen: roast-pork bánh mì, crisp savoury pancakes and fragrant noodle soup. A little maritime history, a very good gin and tonic, and some of the tastiest dishes in Williamstown? Say less.
Sitchu Tip: The $27 tasting paddle features five signature gins, with 10% off bottle purchases. Paddles may be unavailable during busy periods.
25 Aitken Street, Williamstown
Suburb: Williamstown
Price Guide: $$
Cuisine: Distillery Bar, Vietnamese
Best For: Gin tastings, date nights, Vietnamese dining, cocktails
How to Have the Perfect Day Out in Williamstown
9.30am: Coffee first. Begin with breakfast at Kodama on Stevedore Street, then wander towards Nelson Place and Gem Pier for your first proper look at Melbourne’s skyline across the bay. On weekends and public holidays, step aboard HMAS Castlemaine from 11am. Allow around an hour to explore the WWII museum ship.
12.30pm: Lunch by the water. Pick up a lobster roll or fresh oysters from Gem Pier Seafood (Friday to Sunday), and find a waterfront spot to enjoy them. Then follow the foreshore towards Point Gellibrand, stopping at the historic Timeball Tower for a little maritime history and some excellent views.
2.30pm: Gardens, then the beach. Continue towards the Williamstown Botanic Gardens, where palm-lined paths and old-world splendour invite a slower pace. Williamstown Beach is an easy stroll from here, so bring your swimmers on warm days. Otherwise, a gelato from The Kiosk d’Asporto and a sunny patch of sand will do very nicely.
5pm onwards: One last indulgence. Book an early dinner at Sebastian overlooking the bay, or stay for sunset drinks as the afternoon gives way to evening. Williamstown Beach Station is nearby for the journey home.
Good to know: Allow around six hours for the full outing, longer if you’re staying for dinner. Most of the route is flat and manageable on foot, although comfortable shoes are advisable. Arriving by ferry? You’ll disembark at Gem Pier, so begin your day on the waterfront instead. On weekdays, skip HMAS Castlemaine and enjoy a more leisurely morning exploring the historic streets.
FAQs About Williamstown, Melbourne
Absolutely. Just a short trip from Melbourne’s CBD, Williamstown combines maritime history, sandy beaches, independent cafes, waterfront restaurants and some of the city’s loveliest skyline views. Its heritage streets, beautiful Botanic Gardens and relaxed bayside atmosphere make it one of Melbourne’s best destinations for a day trip, especially if you’re partial to fish and chips by the water.
The easiest way is by train. Take the Williamstown line from Flinders Street Station to Williamstown Station, a journey of approximately 30 minutes, then walk to the waterfront. For a more scenic arrival, Melbourne River Cruises operates ferry services from Southbank to Gem Pier, taking approximately 45–60 minutes. Driving is another option, although weekend parking can be busy.
Yes, and arriving by water is half the fun. The Williamstown Ferry travels along the Yarra River from Southbank to historic Gem Pier, with views of Melbourne’s skyline and working port along the way. St Kilda Ferry also connects Williamstown with St Kilda and Port Melbourne on selected services. Timetables vary by season, weather and demand, so check directly with operators before travelling.
Yes! Williamstown Beach is one of Melbourne’s favourite bayside swimming spots, with a broad sandy shoreline, views across Port Phillip Bay and generally gentler conditions than ocean beaches. Lifesavers patrol during designated summer periods, and there are toilets, showers and nearby cafés. Always swim between the flags when patrolled, and check water quality and conditions before entering.
Allow at least three to four hours to explore Williamstown’s waterfront, browse Nelson Place, visit Gem Pier and enjoy lunch by the bay. For the full experience, set aside six to eight hours to include Point Gellibrand, the Botanic Gardens, Williamstown Beach and sunset drinks. Much of the historic waterfront and its surrounding attractions can be explored on foot, making Williamstown an excellent car-free day trip from Melbourne.
Williamstown knows exactly what it is doing. It makes a day feel longer, lighter and better styled, all without trying too hard. You come for the harbour air and handsome old bones, then leave wondering why every suburb cannot look this good. Keen for more suburb crawls? Continue with our guide to Seddon and our guide to Caulfield North.
