Williamstown to Altona via the Hobsons Bay Coastal Trail

3 h 15 min to 5 h 30 min


1 h to 2 h 30 min
2 h 30 min to 7 h

13.7 km
return

↑ 41 m
↓ -41 m

Easy track
Starting near the car park on the Esplanade, this walk goes from Williams to Altona and back via the Hobsons Bay Coastal Trail. Enjoy a peaceful walk that takes you along the shoreline on a mostly paved trail, going past multiple marine sanctuaries and nature reserves, all well explained on information boards. This is a great walk to bring kids and dogs along. Along the way, there are areas with food, water and toilets available. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.
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Safer Bushwalks
Tips on staying safe on track
Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.
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Getting There
Transport options and directions
Start (-37.8684395,144.8945581)
Mode Bus Car
DirectionsFrom CityLink, M2
  • Turn on to West Gate Freeway Exit, M2 then drive for 1.4 km
  • Keep right onto West Gate Freeway Onramp and drive for another 3.4 km
  • Keep left onto Williamstown Road Offramp and drive for another 440 m
  • Keep left onto Williamstown Road Offramp and drive for another 2.3 km
  • At roundabout, take exit 2 onto Melbourne Road, 37 and drive for another 1.5 km
  • At roundabout, take exit 3 onto Station Road and drive for another 305 m
  • At roundabout, take exit 2 onto Ferguson Street, 35 and drive for another 70 m
  • Keep left and drive for another 105 m
  • Turn left onto Railway Crescent and drive for another 150 m
  • Turn right and drive for another 200 m
  • Turn slight left and drive for another 200 m
  • Turn left onto Laverton Street and drive for another 45 m
  • Turn right onto Stewart Street and drive for another 330 m
  • Turn left onto Gellibrand Street and drive for another 180 m
  • Turn right onto Forster Street and drive for another 50 m
  • Continue onto Forster Street and drive for another 25 m
  • Turn left onto Esplanade, 11 and drive for another 300 m
  • Turn right and drive for another 35 m
  • Turn left and drive for another 30 m
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Track Notes
Turn by turn instructions & maps
Turn map Directions & comments
Start.
Find the car park at the start.
Find the Esplanade Public Park at the start.
After another 9 m turn left, to head along Hobsons Bay Coastal Trail.
After another 30 m pass the "Fearon Reserve" (30 m on your right).
After another 15 m pass the BBQ (30 m on your right).
Then pass the water tap (20 m on your right).
After another 80 m continue straight, to head along Hobsons Bay Coastal Trail.
After another 50 m pass the shelter (30 m on your left).
After another 125 m pass the "Sebastian" (20 m on your left).
After another 35 m pass the "Public Toilets" (20 m on your left).
Then pass the "Sadler Reserve" (25 m on your right).
After another 135 m pass the water tap (5 m on your left).
After another 100 m (at the intersection of Hobsons Bay Coastal Trail & Bay Trail) turn left, to head along Bay Trail.
After another 10 m turn right.
After another 40 m continue straight, to head along Hobsons Bay Coastal Trail.
After another 50 m pass the toilet (10 m on your left).
Continue straight.
After another 35 m continue straight.
After another 10 m turn right.
After another 20 m turn left.
After another 8 m continue straight.
After another 30 m continue straight, to head along Esplanade.
After another 55 m continue straight, to head along Esplanade.
After another 140 m pass the water tap (15 m on your left).
After another 20 m continue straight, to head along Bayview Street.
After another 490 m pass the "Bayview Reserve" (10 m on your left).
Turn left.
After another 30 m turn right.
After another 50 m continue straight.
After another 15 m continue straight.
After another 75 m turn sharp right.
After another 55 m head through/around the gate.
Turn right, to head along Hobsons Bay Coastal Trail.
After another 200 m continue straight, to head along Hobsons Bay Coastal Trail.
After another 170 m continue straight, to head along Hobsons Bay Coastal Trail.
After another 520 m pass the water tap (on your left).
After another 50 m continue straight, to head along Hobsons Bay Coastal Trail.
After another 75 m continue straight, to head along Hobsons Bay Coastal Trail.
After another 70 m veer left, to head along Hobsons Bay Coastal Trail.
After another 265 m continue straight, to head along Hobsons Bay Coastal Trail.
After another 95 m veer left, to head along Hobsons Bay Coastal Trail.
After another 9 m cross the bridge (about 20 m long)
Then head into the park.
After another 95 m cross the bridge (about 35 m long)
After another 85 m head into the park.
Then pass a seat (on your left).
Then cross the bridge (about 15 m long)
After another 150 m cross the bridge (about 25 m long)
After another 225 m cross the bridge (about 20 m long)
After another 45 m turn left, to head along Hobsons Bay Coastal Trail.
After another 195 m (at the intersection of Maddox Road & Hobsons Bay Coastal Trail) continue straight, to head along Hobsons Bay Coastal Trail.
After another 960 m (at the intersection of Hobsons Bay Coastal Trail & ramp) continue straight, to head along Hobsons Bay Coastal Trail.
After another 390 m continue straight, to head along Hobsons Bay Coastal Trail.
After another 70 m cross the ford.
After another 55 m turn left.
After another 890 m continue straight, to head along Hobsons Bay Coastal Trail.
After another 520 m head into the "PA Burns Reserve".
After another 85 m pass the water tap (8 m on your right).
Continue another 165 m to find the end. Then turn around here and retrace the main route for 6.9 km to get back to the start.
About 65 m past the end is a car park.
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Terrain
Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Williamstown to Altona via the Hobsons Bay Coastal Trail


Grading
Class 2/6
Easy track
Length 13.7 km
Time 3 h 15 min to 5 h 30 min
Quality of track Smooth and hardened path (1/6)
Gradient Flat, no steps (1/6)
Signage Clearly signposted (1/6)
Infrastructure Generally useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) (2/6)
Experience Required No experience required (1/6)
Weather Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)

Some facilities on route
Shelter: There is one 200 m from the start.

Toilet: There are 2 on route, on average they are 4.6 km apart with the largest gap of 13.1 km.

Seat: There is one 3.1 km from the start.


Order of key facilities on route
ItemFrom StartName & link to notes
Shelter
200 m[shelter]
Toilet
360 mPublic Toilets
Toilet
670 m[toilet]
Seat
3.1 km[seat]
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Articles
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Get more information
| www.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au
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Weather & Alerts
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