Cruising to Williamstown

There's something very therapeutic about being near water and we're incredibly lucky in Melbourne to have both the Yarra River and Port Phillip Bay on our doorstep.

We jump on a local cruise every chance we get, it's a great way to see Melbourne from a different perspective.

We boarded the Melbourne River Cruise boat at Southbank and headed up the Yarra on our Williamstown cruise, past the Polly Woodside, Victoria Harbour and under the Bolte Bridge.

The massive container ships that chug up and down the channel to Swanson Dock are unbelievably huge up close. Those giant containers look like little colourful Lego blocks stacked on top of each other.

Under the West Gate Bridge...

 ...where the ships created a bookend frame for the city skyline.

Past Scienceworks...

 ...and into the beautiful port of Williamstown, where we explored the area around Gem Pier for an hour or so, before hopping back on board for our return journey.

The one hour cruise in each direction was calm, comfy and a very relaxing way to spend a few hours.

What: Melbourne River Cruises

Where: Southgate Promenade, Berth 5

When:  Daily 10:30 am - 2:30pm

Why:Cruise, sightseeing

How Much:$29 Adult Return (Entertainment Book has a 2-for-1 voucher)

Related post: Gem Pier

 

Gem Pier, Williamstown

We disembarked from our cruise at Gem Pier and had a couple of hours until the last boat back to Southbank.

The old HMAS Castlemaine sits at the end of the historic Pier, the last floating vessel of its kind, restored by volunteers. It's open weekends and public holidays and serves as a floating museum. We didn't go in on this occasion, but hope to visit another day.

Commonwealth Reserve sits on the foreshore of Hobsons's Bay, next to the Pier. A beautiful patch of green grass, shady elm trees and views across the rows of yacht masts to the city in the distance.

In the park, we visited historical sites like the octagonal bluestone Tide Gauge House...

...and the anchor and shackle from the HMVS Nelson.

We watched the seaplane take off and circle the bay...

...feasted on  fish'n'chips for lunch and lapped up some Vitamin D, before jumping on the boat back to the city.

What:Gem Pier

Where:Syme St, Williamstown

When: Daily

Why: maritime history, views

How Much: FREE to visit the reserve
Nearby:  Cruising to Williamstown

Hopetoun Falls, Beech Forest

Dirt roads, muddy tracks,  steep steps and long walks are all part of the journey - and when the destination is as beautiful as the waterfalls in the Otways, it's worth the effort.

There is a platform with views to the top of the falls, for those not able to tackle the steps.

 

A fallen tree added to the beauty of the setting, as the water splashed off the log as it fell down to the Aire River below.

Even the trees were wearing their heart on their sleeve - so much love for this part of Victoria.

 

What:Hopetoun Falls

Where:Aire Valley Road, Beech Forest

When: Daily

Why: waterfalls, walks

How Much: FREE
Nearby:  Beauchamp Falls

Beauchamp Falls, Beech Forest

Beauchamp Falls was our first stop in the Otways. Arriving at the carpark/picnic ground, there was only one other car there, so it was nice to  have the place pretty much to ourselves. A huge forest bordered the carpark.

A 90 minute return walk was ahead of us as we set off down the track. The path was a slight decline to the falls and we had to climb over fallen branches along the way.

The rushing water of the 25 metre drop could be heard as we got to the steps that led to the viewing platform. From our position near the middle of the falls, we could see the water cascading into a large pool at the base.

The Deppeler Creek runs alongside the track, giant tree ferns line the path and Mountain Ash tower into the sky above.

The trees still had their thick Winter coat on and it was fairly cool in the forest, as the sun barely penetrates through the thick canopy.

 

In the middle of the path on the return (uphill) walk, we spotted this guy - a rare Otway Black Snail, found only in the Otways.

I carefully picked him up with some leaves and placed him on a log, out of harm's way. Then I remembered he's carnivorous and I got out of there before he started chewing on my leg. 

What: Beauchamp Falls

Where:Aire Valley Road, Beech Forest

When: Daily

Why:waterfalls, walks

How Much: FREE  
Nearby:  Hopetoun Falls