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.
Steak Night!
Today many of the old pubs are still standing, yet only a few are still operating.
We invite you to join us for dinner in historic Williamstown, at a pub that is still operating — yes, they do exist!
Where: Hobsons Bay Hotel, 28 Ferguson Street, Williamstown. We will be seated in the Main Dining Room.
When: Monday 18 May 2026
Start: 6.00pm
End: 7.00pm (or later)
Feel free to stay for dinner, drinks, conversation, or just stop by to sign the log.
Food and drink purchases are optional.
You can view the menu on the Hobsons Bay Hotel website at https://www.hobsonsbayhotel.com.au and look for the Monday night specials.
RSVP: Please include the number of people in your team as part of your Will Attend (@2@) by Thursday 14 May (6pm) to guarantee your seat/s at the table. Please also indicate whether you would like to have the steak night special, so we can inform the venue to have enough steaks.
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.