318. Williamstown-Altona 11.9km
U3A Hike No 318 Hike Report By Mark Hawley This was a walk full of history plus the ambience of a seaside stroll. A train to Footscray then a line change to the walk start at Williamstown saw 17 of us first get to admire the Williamstown Timeball Tower. Built in 1840 as a lighthouse, from 1861 to 1926 it signaled 1pm every day to nearby ships by lowering a ball down a pole. Heading west along the coast we passed Fort Gellibrand then the old quarry where convicts and prisoners – including Ned Kelly – had the pleasure of working. Prisoners were held in old ship hulks anchored nearby and some of the bluestone they extracted was used as ballast for ships returning to UK then used in buildings there. Morning tea near the cricket ground then onwards towards the beach, passing the Botanic Gardens where Andrew and Ingrid’s wedding photos happened! Later we walked along the edge of the oddly named Jawbone Nature Conservation Area. Much of th is area was the old Rifle Range, m