Konted's Make My Day: Williamstown: My Kind of Town

View of Melbourne City proper from Williamstown

Williamstown: My Kind of Town

It has that rustic charm, that quaint look that tells of its historic past. I quickly and easily fell in love with the place. And kept coming back. To while away the time. To feel the gentle but sometimes harsh wind from Hobsons Bay. Williamstown is a quiet maritime village popular among local travelers as well as foreign tourists.

The moment my son Alex parked the car at Nelson Place, I immediately reached for my digicam. You would not allow this kind of photo shooting opportunity to pass by. The place reminds visitors of 19th century Victoria with its classical architectural design. There are several restos and cafes housed in what used to be an old hotel.

Right across is the Commonwealth Reserve with benches scattered in various locations where one gets a good view of Melbourne's skyline and the countless boats and yachts moored at Gem Pier. With Maximus in tow, I walked the concrete jetty and took successive shots of a vintage naval ship, HMAS Castlemaine. It is permanently docked there as a maritime museum.

And the clicking continued. At boats and yachts of different designs neatly fastened as their anchors are down. No oil slicks. Nothing messy. Picture-perfect arrangement. And at the right side of Commonwealth Reserve is a Tourist Information booth where one can get and read manuals and flyers on the major tourist spots of Australia. I took one and read about Williamstown.

While munching Fish and Chips which Alex bought at a nearby store, I learned that Williamstown was, in the early days, the major seaport of the State of Victoria. It was the principal loading and unloading wharf of goods from commercial sea vessels. The original plan was to make Williamstown the main settlement area instead of Melbourne proper. The development was focused on Williamstown. But what changed this was the lack of fresh water supply at that time in Williamstown. Thus, the focus was shifted to Melbourne instead.

Walking the main and side streets, I saw a tennis court, an old church, a school and some retail stores or shops. And a boat making yard. You don't hear that much noise as you would in the city. But as I was crossing Syme St., a group of big bikers parked by the side of the reserve. They were in their late 40's. And some were women riders. Watching the group as they dismounted from their Harley- Davidsons, I took shots of them and decided to sit at a wooden bench.

Gazing from time to time at Hobsons Bay, the wind started blowing strong. I reached for my brown jacket as a flock of seagulls encircled around bits and pieces of bread thrown by Maximus. The sun was about to set. Time to head back to Caroline Springs. And be back again another day.

-Konted