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Williamstown and Hobsons Bay

Brief History

In 1837,the Governor of New South Wales, Sir Richard Bourke, named Williamstown after King William IV. It was to be the capital of the new colony on Port Philip Bay, but because of the lack of a source of fresh water, Melbourne, named after the English Prime Minister, was selected instead. Williamstown is Port Phillip's oldest continuous settlement.

By 1840s about 100 buildings had been constructed, and the first pier, close to the present Gem Pier, saw huge traffic in sheep, horses and passengers, mainly from Tasmania. A Time Ball Tower was erected in 1848 for use as a lighthouse and to allow vessels in the bay to set their chronometers to the correct time for correct navigation purposes.

Williamstown was granted municipal status in 1851 following the separation of the Colony of Victoria from the Colony of New South Wales, and the first Council was elected in April 1856. In 1859 the first government-owned railway from Melbourne to Williamstown was constructed. This help provide impetus for the growth of industry in the port area, including 13 slips for boat repairs and building, pier accommodation for 40 vessels, freezing works, railway workshops, woollen mills, gasworks, glassworks, petroleum repacking depot and sewerage works.

Williamstown expanded to incorporate Newport and Spottiswoode(now Spotswood) in 1864, and was proclaimed a City in 1919.

Williamstown has always had a mix of residential and industrial areas, and has been a refuge for many migrants from across the world. In particular, it was the gateway into the Central Victorian goldfields during the gold-rush days.

The construction of the West Gate Bridge reduced the travel time by road to Melbourne considerably, so that what was once working-class suburb with a country town atmosphere, has more recently seen an influx of young families, and a rapid rise in property values. Williamstown has become a desirable tourist destination, with its mix of heritage buildings, across the water views of Melbourne, multicultural dining and pavement cafe culture.

In 1994 the cities of Williamstown, Altona, and parts of South Kingsville, Yarraville and Laverton were amalgamated to form the present City of Hobsons Bay. This has transformed what was largely an Anglo-Saxon enclave into a city with a highly diverse cultural mix.

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