Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Williamstown), popular for its gourmet souvlakis, was also planning to open here at time of research. William-
stown has plenty of historical pubs to explore.
Quest Williamstown
(
03-9393 5300;
www.questwilliamstown.com.au
;
1 Syme St; 1-bedroom apt from $199;
) has self-contained apartments
on the waterfront overlooking the marina.
Getting There & Away
Ferry is the most popular and undoubtedly the most scenic way to get to Williamstown - a fitting way to arrive,
given the area's maritime ambience.
Williamstown Ferries
( 03-9517 9444;
www.williamstownferries.com.au
;
one-way Williamstown-Southbank adult/child $18/9) plies Hobsons Bay
daily, stopping at Southgate and visiting a number of sites along the way, including Scienceworks and Docklands.
Melbourne River Cruises
( 03-8610 2600;
www.melbcruises.com.au
;
one-way Williamstown-city centre
adult/child $22/11) also docks at Gem Pier.
Otherwise you can catch a train from Flinders Street Station or make the 10-minute drive from Melbourne's
city centre. The other option is to cycle on the 24km Hobsons Bay Coastal Trail, which links up with the
Maribyrnong Trail via the city, or the St Kilda area via the
Westgate Punt
(
www.westgatepunt.com
; Mon-Fri $2
one-way, weekends one-way/return $5/7;
6.30am-9.30am & 4-7pm Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm Sat & Sun) ferry
crossing under the Westgate Bridge.
Cycling
Cycling maps are available from the Melbourne Visitor Centre (
Click here
)
at Federation
Yarra Trail (35km), off which runs the Merri Creek Trail (19km), the Outer Circle Trail
(34km) and the Maribyrnong River Trail (22km). There are also paths taking you along
Melbourne's beaches.
Melbourne Bike Share
( 1300 711 590;
www.melbournebikeshare.com.au
)
began in 2010 and has had
a slow start, which was mainly blamed on Victoria's compulsory helmet laws. Fortunately
there's been a shift to provide free helmets (which should be left with the bike), though
not all bikes have them. Otherwise, subsidised safety helmets are available at 7-Eleven
and IGA stores around the city ($5 with a $3 refund on return). Once armed with a helmet,
look out for one of 51 bright-blue stations. Each first half-hour of hire is free - they're
ideally used for short trips and then deposited at another station - or otherwise you can
rent them daily ($2.80), weekly ($8) or via a one-year membership ($56) with maximum
45-minute usage. Subscriptions require a credit card and $50 security deposit.
Humble Vintage
( 0432 032 450;
www.thehumblevintage.com
)
Get yourself a set of special wheels from this
collection of retro racers, city bikes and ladies bikes. Rates start at $30 per day or $80 per
BICYCLE RENTAL
