Williamstown - Maribynong River - Newmarket - 12.5 Kms

 U3A Hike No. 190



Hike Report by Colin

Twenty one U3A hikers set off for a 13 km easy metropolitan ramble after travelling by train to Williamstown. The walk was led by Gordon with Andrew as the whip. Showers were forecast.

Starting at Williamstown, we followed Hobsons Bay, then the Yarra and Maribyrnong Rivers. The final part of the walk through the site of the former stockyards to Newmarket. It was then by train to Southern Cross station, coffee then the train home.

 At Williamstown we saw the historic Timeball Tower. At precisely 1.00pm each day, the ball at the top of the tower would descend slowly down its shaft. This event was used by ships to accurately set their chronometers, which essential for successful navigation on long ocean voyages. The 17m high tower was built in 1849 of local bluestone and was deactivated in 1987. There is a working Timeball tower at Greenwich in London, and only three others in the world.

The former stockyards to Newmarket were for many of us the highlight of the walk. We followed ‘Stockman’s Way’ from ‘The Back Gate’ through Kensington to the remnants of the Newmarket Saleyards then the Newmarket Station.

“Consignments of animals from places such as Flinders Island were unloaded at the wharves and driven to the Saleyards along the back streets of Melbourne and through Kensington. Even up until the late 1950s sheep, cattle and, in the earlier days, pigs were driven to Newmarket down main traffic roads and residential streets.” By the 1980s virtually all stock was transported to and from the saleyards by road trucks. Drovers also brought sheep and cattle into stock pens off Main Lane through gates at the corner of Racecourse and Smithfield Roads; after the sales, drovers led livestock down to "The Back Gate".

This area is now a large housing development, incorporating various architectural styles and creating the feel of a village, or an early 20th century student campus.  The streets are narrow with lots of trees and plants.  We stopped to look at Gordon's old house.  

We took a train from Newmarket to Southern Cross station, had coffee, then took the train home.

While on the walk the weather looked threatening at times, it was generally fine. It was a pleasant day of urban walking.

Links to some interesting information after the photos.

Photos by Mark B



























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