Welcome to Williamstown, a seaside suburb simply outdoors Melbourne with an enthralling village really feel.
Wish to sail on a tall ship, stroll by way of lush botanical gardens, or go on a ghostly evening tour? This historic suburb has one thing enjoyable for each member of the family.
Try our listing of the perfect issues to do in Williamstown with youngsters for an unforgettable household journey.
Williamstown Occasions
1. Steve McCurry ICONS
Catch the retrospective of the famend works of Steve McCurry at Williamstown’s Seaworks Maritime Precinct till Saturday 25 Could 2024.
The ‘ICONS’ exhibition options over 100 large-format photographs, together with the enduring 1984 portrait of the Afghan Woman, Sharbat Gula, from Nationwide Geographic.
Whether or not you’re keen on pictures or need a significant cultural outing with the household, this exhibition affords a fascinating expertise for all ages.
Steve McCurry ICONS, Seaworks Maritime Precinct, 82 Nelson Pl, Williamstown VIC 3016, +61 3 9397 8528
Arising:
- Willy Lit Fest (Sat 15 June – Solar 17 June) – periods and actions for readers and writers of all ages. For extra particulars, you may go to their official web site
- Winter Solstice Competition (Fri 23 Jun) – FREE occasion celebrating the longest evening and the shortest day of the yr, marking the beginning of the winter season.
What To Do In Williamstown with Children – Household-friendly itinerary
2. Arrive in type on the coronary heart of Williamstown
When you’re visiting Williamstown, there are a lot of methods to get there. Why not strive one thing completely different and arrive by boat?
Melbourne River Cruises’ ferry service runs from Southgate in Melbourne CBD to Gem Pier. This scenic journey takes about an hour and affords gorgeous views of the harbour and metropolis skyline.
Coming from Port Melbourne’s Beacon Cove or St Kilda Pier? St Kilda Ferry can take you straight to Williamstown.
The Westgate Punt runs between Westgate Touchdown in Port Melbourne and the Scienceworks jetty in Spotswood. You possibly can carry bikes on the punt, then take pleasure in a leisurely cycle alongside the water to Williamstown.
The is a ferry service that runs between Westgate Touchdown in Port Melbourne to the Scienceworks jetty in Spotswood. You possibly can take bikes on the punt, so when you land in Spotswood simply take a leisurely cycle all the way down to Williamstown alongside the water.
Favor the prepare? Williamstown Station and Williamstown Seaside Station are each a few 10-minute stroll to the guts of the city centre.
In case you are driving, paid and free timed road parking is offered on close by streets.
3. Greatest Playgrounds in Williamstown
Now that you just’ve labored up an urge for food, head to the playgrounds at Commonwealth Reserve, on the foreshore adjoining to Gem Pier.
The elegant park is fashioned with formal avenues of elms and offers nice views throughout a row of yacht masts to Melbourne.
There’s a cute playground close to the tennis courts, a rotunda that always hosts music and different actions and the Williamstown Craft Market is held on the third Sunday of each month.
There are additionally playgrounds dotted alongside The Strand, so you may park-hop with water views!
Commonwealth Reserve, 181A Nelson Pl, Williamstown VIC 3016, +61 399321000
Williamstown Craft Market, 181a Nelson Pl, Williamstown VIC 3016, +61 402811756
4. Look inside a uncommon ship museum: HMAS Castlemaine
Each visited a floating museum? The HMAS Castlemaine is completely docked at Gem Pier and open to the general public on weekends and public holidays.
This minesweeper, launched in 1941, served in New Guinea and Northern Australia throughout WWII. Now a Heritage Honour Ship, when you step aboard you may discover an enchanting assortment of nautical reveals and memorabilia.
HMAS Castlemaine, Gem Pier, Syme St, Williamstown VIC 3016, +61 393972363
5. Discover the Seaworks Maritime Precinct
Persevering with with the maritime theme, the Seaworks Maritime Precinct in Williamstown is a hub for naval historical past and marine exploration.
The Seaworks Maritime Museum showcases artifacts, fashions, and bells that inform Melbourne’s maritime story. There’s additionally a library of maritime books and a set of ship pictures.
The venue and waterfront space host quite a lot of family-friendly occasions, together with out of doors cinema, music festivals, makers markets, and a Winter Solstice Competition.
Seaworks Maritime Precinct, 82/82 Nelson Pl, Williamstown VIC 3016, +61 417292021
6. Take off with Melbourne Seaplanes
Taking off from Gem Pier in Williamstown, Melbourne Seaplanes flights provide an exciting journey as you soar above the town, shoreline, and surrounding areas.
We advocate the 20-minute Circuit Flights for households. This flight takes you throughout the bay to Port Melbourne, then previous Albert Park, St Kilda, the enduring Luna Park, Elwood Seaside, and again to Williamstown.
Children of any age can be a part of the seaplane flights, and youngsters 7-12 years outdated get to fly for half value.
You possibly can relive your Melbourne seaplane recollections with “Seymour the Seaplane,” a youngsters’s image ebook that includes Melbourne landmarks, created by the co-owner of Melbourne Seaplanes.
Melbourne Seaplanes, 126 Syme St, Williamstown VIC 3016, +61 393975388
7. Sail on the Tall Ship Enterprize
Play pirates in Williamstown! All board the Enterprize, Melbourne’s duplicate tall ship, which docks into Gem Pier on sure weekends.
The Enterprize affords a singular approach to expertise the challenges and adventures of Victorian sea explorers, making historical past come alive.
Children may also help elevate the sails, study navigation, or just benefit from the trip alongside Melbourne’s scenic waterways.
Melbourne Tall Ship Enterprize, 2 N Wharf Rd, Melbourne VIC 3008, +61 396211294
8. Construct sandcastles at Williamstown Seaside
Williamstown Seaside affords a fast seaside escape only a brief journey from Melbourne CBD.
With its broad sands and calm waters, it’s good for households to calm down, paddle, and construct sandcastles. Lively youngsters will love enjoying on the small Sadler Reserve and Hatt Reserve playgrounds close by.
9. Discover marine life at Jawbone Flora & Fauna Reserve
West of Williamstown Seaside is Jawbone Flora & Fauna Reserve, a haven for wildlife lovers and households seeking to discover the nice outdoor.
The reserve affords wealthy biodiversity, together with native crops and birds, set towards the backdrop of scenic marine sanctuaries.
Stroll the paths, use the chicken hides for recognizing native species, go snorkelling and study environmental conservation.
Jawbone Flora & Fauna Reserve, 29 Sandpiper Pl, Williamstown VIC 3016, +61 131963
10. Benefit from the Autumn colors in Williamstown Botanic Gardens
On the opposite aspect of Williamstown Seaside is the tranquil world of the Williamstown Botanic Gardens.
Established within the 1800s, these gardens provide a peaceable retreat with lush greenery, decorative ponds, and winding paths.
Households can take pleasure in academic walks with indicators that present insights into the plant species and backyard design. It’s the right spot for a leisurely stroll or a household picnic beneath the shade of historic timber.
Learn our Williamstown Botanic Gardens evaluate.
Williamstown Botanic Gardens, Giffard St &, Osborne St, Williamstown VIC 3016, +61 3 9932 1000
11. Trip or stroll the Hobsons Bay Coastal Path
Winding alongside the shoreline, the path is wealthy in pure magnificence and historic significance. It passes by way of Level Gellibrand Coastal Heritage Park and landmarks just like the Timeball Tower and Level Gellibrand.
Signage alongside the route offers attention-grabbing details and tales, making the stroll each enjoyable and academic.
The path is stroller-friendly and appropriate for all ages, making certain a snug and gratifying expertise for the whole household.
Hobsons Bay Coastal Path, Esplanade, Altona VIC 3018
Level Gellibrand Coastal Heritage Park, Battery Rd, Williamstown VIC 3016, +61 131963
12. Get spooky with Lantern Ghost Excursions
When you’re in Williamstown at evening, Lantern Ghost Excursions is the way in which to expertise the spookier aspect of one in every of Melbourne’s oldest suburbs.
This tour takes households by way of historic and probably haunted spots in Williamstown, mixing native lore with ghostly tales.
Appropriate for households with older youngsters, the tour introduces Williamstown’s ghostly previous and highlights the city’s historic significance. It’s an ideal mix of concern and enjoyable that can captivate each youngsters and adults.
Lantern Ghost Excursions, 12/16 Parker St, Williamstown VIC 3016, +61 1300390119
13. Climb the partitions at Clip ‘n’ Climb Williamstown
Clip ‘n Climb Williamstown affords over 30 climbing challenges that cater to all ages and talent ranges. From colourful partitions to interactive climbs, each side of the venue is designed with each enjoyable and health in thoughts.
Learn our Clip n Climb Williamstown evaluate.
Clip n Climb Williamstown, Warehouse 2, 134 Maddox Street, North Williamstown 3016 Victoria, (03) 9448 8642
14. Indoor Play at Tumbles Playhouse
Tumbles Playhouse affords a formidable three-story play construction full with tunnels, slides, a Burmese bridge, a ball pit, a double astro slide and inflatable castles!
For the littlest adventurers, a devoted zone with gentler play choices retains the enjoyable secure and accessible.
Learn our Tumbles Williamstown evaluate.
Tumbles Playhouse, 1/197 Champion Rd, Williamstown North VIC 3016, +61 393970811
Greatest Cafes, Eating places + Pubs in Williamstown with Children
15. Nelson Place and The Strand
You’ll uncover many of the cafes, eating places and pubs in Williamstown are positioned alongside charming Nelson Place and The Strand, the place historic buildings now home quaint eateries and outlets.
We advocate the espresso at Carter Smith Devlin & Co and the fluffy pancakes at Tick Tok Cafe!
When you’re in Nelson Place at lunch or meal time, then there are a lot of waterfront eating choices that present scrumptious meals and gorgeous views of the town throughout the water.
A few of our favourites embody Customs Home Lodge, Pirates Tavern (examine opening hours earlier than planning) and the uniquely embellished Titanic on Nelson. All of them provide youngsters menus, excessive chairs and pram entry.
And for dessert, depart room for deliciously sticky Greek doughnuts from Lukumades!
Carter Smith Devlin & Co, 3016/215 Nelson Pl, Williamstown VIC 3016, +61 393973907
Tick Tok Cafe, 181 Nelson Pl, Williamstown VIC 3016, +61 393975152
Customs Home Lodge, 161 Nelson Pl, Williamstown VIC 3016, +61 393978888
Pirates Tavern, Rear of/82 Nelson Pl, Williamstown VIC 3016, +61 403702734
Titanic on Nelson, 1 Nelson Pl, Williamstown VIC 3016, +61 391930778
Lukumades, 177 Nelson Pl, Williamstown VIC 3016, +61 391003597
16. Gem Pier Seafoods
When you’re in Williamstown on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday, then don’t miss the perfect lobster rolls in Melbourne! Gem Pier Seafood docks at Gem Pier each weekend with a number of contemporary seafood, together with mussels, prawns, oysters, scallops and freshly cooked crayfish.
Gem Pier Seafood, 1 Syme St, Williamstown VIC 3016, +61 435200157
17. Williamstown Seaside
When you want a chew to eat whilst you’re on the seaside, head to The Kiosk d’Asporto for seaside snacks which might be a minimize above the common, dropped at you by the household behind the favored Pizza d’Asporto in Williamstown North.
Take pleasure in French-inspired cafe fare at Fifi’s by the Seaside or take in the solar with a relaxed meal on the deck of Sebastian Seaside Grill whereas the children play within the sand.
The Kiosk d’Asporto, 99 Esplanade, Williamstown VIC 3016, +61 3 9397 6839
Fifi’s by the Seaside, 81 Esplanade, Williamstown VIC 3016, +61 404 157 571
Sebastian Seaside Grill, 26 Esplanade, Williamstown VIC 3016, +61 3 9088 8989
18. Different Williamstown areas
When you’re not near the waterfront, different Williamstown eateries we like embody Zan Zanz incredible vary of connoisseur paninis and bowls (they’ve an indoor child’s play space with a chalkboard and even a small leaping fortress arrange on Saturdays).
3 Grains Roman Artisan Pizza affords a deliciously distinctive twist on conventional pizza with a menu constructed round three natural stone-ground grains—tender wheat, spelt, and rye.
The Hobson’s Bay Lodge affords elevated pub eating together with breathtaking views of Williamstown from its rooftop. It caters for his or her little ones with a small youngsters menu, excessive chairs and pram entry on the bottom flooring.
Zan Zanz 2/110 Maddox Rd, Williamstown North, +61 404926926
3 Grains Pizza, 68 Stevedore St, Williamstown VIC 3016, +61 393976601
Hobson’s Bay Lodge, 28 Ferguson St, Williamstown VIC 3016, +61 391168695
Greatest Retailers in Williamstown for Children
19. Guide and Paper
Guide and Paper is an enthralling native bookstore with a fastidiously curated number of books for all ages, from the newest bestsellers to timeless classics.
Whether or not you’re a voracious reader keen in your subsequent nice learn or trying to find the right present, Guide and Paper affords a buying expertise that celebrates the enjoyment of books.
Guide and Paper, 36 Douglas Parade, Williamstown VIC 3016, +61 393977784
20. Enchanted Years
This unbiased youngsters’s boutique affords a pleasant number of youngsters’ toys, garments, and room decor.
Specializing in high-quality gadgets from beloved manufacturers like Playmobil, Schleich, and Rock Your Child, the shop creates a magical buying expertise for each youngsters and fogeys.
Enchanted Years, 23 Ferguson St, Williamstown VIC 3016, +61 393971154
Go to Hobsons Bay Guests Centre
Want extra concepts in your go to to Williamstown? Go to the pleasant workers at Hobsons Bay Customer Info Centre who can present native insights and suggestions.
Hobsons Bay Customer Info Centre, 1 Syme St, Williamstown VIC 3016,+61 399323016
This text was printed in partnership with Hobsons Bay Metropolis Council