Gem Pier — Attraction in Williamstown

Ah well Piers a Piers a Pier. Boats come and go, people come and go. What stays is the one sea gull. I know this for a fact coz him and I go waaay back. I moved cities coz of him, but little did I know they aren't lazy, he followed me. So I had to book fake tickets to send him on a wild goose chase. Did that a few times to throw him off a bit. It did work but not for long. He's gotten a bit more brazen since the labour taken up all states and the government. I take trains now and dunno how long that'll last. If you can read this take a hint gull. There's a thin line between obsession...

145 metres long, Gem Pier is a central part of Williamstown. The first pier was built in 1839 near the present-day Gem Pier. Originally known as "The Jetty", in 1853 it was renamed "Old Pier" following the construction of the "New Pier" (the Ann Street Pier). Throughout the 1860s and 1870s it was known as "Steamboat Pier". In the 1870s it was renamed "Gem Pier" after the paddle steamer Gem that ran a ferry service from Williamstown to Port Melbourne from 1846 to 1886. The pier was rebuilt in 1992. Home to the Castlemaine and at the entrance to the pier,...

Well worth a look when in town. HMAS Castlemaine is a permanent floating museum moored to the pier and definitely worth the admission price. A WWII vessel that is open to all to stroll through and wonder at how our service men and women had such a difficult time out at sea. Almost the entire vessel including the intact engine room is astonishing to take in the 70 odd year old technology. Volunteers are available to take you through or guide yourself, and I'm sure you'll be...