Williamstown to Altona - Bay hike

Williamstown Cenotaph, Nelson Place

Williamstown to Altona - Bay hike

Williamstown Cenotaph, Nelson Place

Staff Pick
3 h 10 m
12.63 km
Intermediate

Sick of St Kilda? This is a lesser explored bay walk. Starting from wonderful Williamstown, make your way past two coastal parks before finishing up in the seaside Altona (for a dip?)

Williamstown to Altona - Bay hike

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Summary

Sick of St Kilda? This is a lesser explored bay walk. Starting from wonderful Williamstown, make your way past two coastal parks before finishing up in the seaside Altona (for a dip?)

Description

This is a lesser-explored Port Phillip Bay walk, taking in the best of Williamstown and passing two coastal marine parks before finishing up in Altona.

This walk is public transport accessible. There are three train stations in Williamstown (this walk starts closest to Williamstown Beach station). Altona is on the Werribee line.

The walk was suggested to us by Simone Alexander, interviewed for a story in The Sunday Age about great Melbourne hikes. Simone walks at least 50km each week and when we spoke to her she was slowly making her way around the whole of Port Phillip Bay in stages.

She said this walk was her favourite stretch of the Bay.

Highlights: Coastal parks (Point Gellibrand, Jawbone Marine Sanctuary and Altona’s coastal park).

Alexander also likes grittier sites - the Mobil refinery. The keen-eyed might spot remnants of a horse racing track. Finish up at Altona Beach. Take a dip!

Thanks also to Victoria Walks follower Dottie Byrne - we have used some of her photos for this map. And to photographer Jim Zapsalis (@Walking_Perspective).

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Points of Interest

1. Views across bay to city (Photo: Jim Zapsalis)

On a clear night you just might make out Princes Pier at Port Melbourne (can you see the Spirit of Tasmania in this picture?)

2. Williamstown Marina (Photo: Jim Zapsalis)

One of Melbourne's oldest suburbs, bayside Williamstown was originally Melbourne's main port.

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3. Botanic Gardens detour?

If you have the time and energy it is well worth taking a brief detour through Williamstown Botanic Gardens (they burst with colour in early summer!)

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4. Williamstown Beach

Busy in the summer! See link for beach report (Photo: Dottie Byrne)

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5. Jawbone Marine Sanctuary

This sanctuary comprises 30 hectares protected marine habitat. It's a popular spot for diving (Photo: Robert Jackson ).

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6. Jawbone boardwalk

Photo: Dottie Byrne

7. Coastal park (and old race track)

Once upon time this area was home to a horse race track. You might still make out remnants. Photo: Dottie Byrne.

8. Norfolk Pines

Photo: Dottie Byrne

9. Altona Pier (Photo: James Guerrero - Unsplash)

To check which days Altona Beach is patrolled by lifeguards see the link.

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Features

Public Transport Public Transport
Playground Playground
Picnic spot Picnic spot
Public toilets Public toilets
Pram friendly Pram friendly
Historical interest Historical interest
Nature trail Nature trail
Lake, creek, river Lake, creek, river
Park / Garden Park / Garden