The port of William’s Town was officially named on 29 March 1837. Williamstown was a naval centre, and the point of disembarkment for many diggers bound for the Victorian goldfields. The old expression “a pub on every corner” was very close to the truth for this booming town.
In the first 70 years of Williamstown’s history there were over 500 licences issued for local hotels, as well as 85 name and site changes. There were never more than 40 open at any one time, and many of these were very small with only a few rooms available for lodgers.
Today many of the old pubs are still standing, yet only a few are still operating.
We invite you to join us for Sunday lunch in historic Williamstown, at a pub that is still operating — yes, they do exist!
Where: Hobsons Bay Hotel, 28 Ferguson Street, Williamstown
When: Sunday 29 June 2025
Start: 1.00pm
End: 2.30pm
UPDATE: We have booked the Small Dining Room that has 28 seats. As of Sun 29 June at 9.30am, 28 seats have been allocated and will have nametags on seats to ensure those who have RSVPed are allocated a seat. It will be standing room only (or you may find a table on the balcony) for those who have not RSVPed and have come to sign the log.
Food and drink purchases are optional. You can view the menu on the Hobsons Bay Hotel website at www.hobsonsbayhotel.com.au/menus.
The Hobsons Bay Hotel has a Sunday Roast available.
Feel free to stay for lunch, drinks, conversation, or just stop by to sign the log.
RSVP: Please include the number of people in your team as part of your Will Attend (@2@) by Thursday 26 June (7.30pm) so we can notify the venue of our seating requirements. Please also indicate whether you are interested in having the Sunday Roast, so that we can inform the venue how many to have available.
Transport/Parking options:
- Free on-street parking available on Ferguson Street (2 hour) and James Street (1 hour).
- 471 or 472 bus from Newport Station (9 minutes).
- 471 bus from Williamstown Train Station (5 minutes).
- 1 kilometre (15 minute walk) from Williamstown North Train Station.
- 1 kilometre (15 minute walk) from Williamstown Beach Train Station.
- 1.3 kilometre (19 minute walk) from Williamstown Train Station.