Bay Trail West

Aircraft Station to Williamstown, Distance: 21 km
Region: Western Melbourne
Written up by: U3A Yarra City OYB
Last ridden: 6 December2019

Cafes  |  Terrain  |  Ride Details  |  Variations  |  Maps

Overview

One of the most wonderful rides in Melbourne is around the bay, west of the Yarra River, where you’ll enjoy  wetlands, beaches, and views of Melbourne and the bay. The ride commences at Aircraft Station and ends at Williamstown Station.

Initially the route follows Skeleton Creek  down to Altona Meadows before going along Bay West Trail via Altona and Williamstown. The route passes through several wetlands – Cheetham Wetlands, Truganina Park, Altona Coastal Park and Jawbone Conservation Reserve.  There are always birds in the wetlands – swans, ducks, coots, purple swamp hens and pelicans. There are very pleasant beaches at both Altona and Williamstown.

Of special interest is the 100 Steps of Federation, a small hill that provides a spectacular 360° view of Melbourne, its mountains and the bay. Soon after this you cross Laverton Creek in Truganina Swamp. In the warmer months, this creek may be teeming with waterbirds including migratory waders such as greenshanks and royalspoonbills. If you are lucky, you may even see an orange bellied parrot. Just after Laverton Creek keep an eye out for the Old Government Explosives Reserve  and the old tracks from which explosives were loaded on to boats. As you approach the refinery in Altona Wetlands, look for the statue of Phar Lap.

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Aircraft Station to H2O Stint Map/Bay Trail West (4.5km)

1. The ride starts on the south side of Aircraft Station.

2. Head west along Railway Crescent to the roundabout intersection with Pt Cook Road.

3. Turn left onto the footpath on the left of Pt Cook Road and staying on the footpath, cross the M1 Freeway.

4. At the next roundabout stay on the footpath and turn left onto Central Ave.

5. Follow Central Ave to Ailsa Street.

6. Turn right into Ailsa Street and follow this until you reach the Skeleton Creek Trail.

7. Turn left onto this trail just before Skeleton Creek. (Do not cross this creek.)

8. Follow the creek along the trail to the end of the houses.

9. At the junction near the sculpture, “H2O Stint Map”, turn left onto Bay Trail West.
   
   H2O Stint Map/Bay Trail West to Altona Pier (5.7km)
   

10. Follow Bay Trail West ignoring any left turns and take the first right turn to stay on the trail.

11. Continue on the trail until you see the steps on your right. This is the 100 Steps of Federation.

12. Just after the steps is a gravel path on your right. Turn right and go along this rideable track to the top of the 100 Steps of Federation. (Ignore a track leading left.)

13. After admiring the view, retrace your steps to Bay Trail West and turn right.

14. Continue on Bay Trail West to the Laverton Creek and cross the bridge.

15. Turn right to follow Bay Trail West to Altona Pier staying as close to the beach as possible.
    
    Altona Pier to Victoria Street (7.9km)
    

16. Continue on Bay Trail West staying as close to the coast as you can passing Altona Beach, Altona Safe Harbour and the dog beach to reach Altona Coastal Park.

17. Turn right just after the Trail leaves the coast, and ride around a long bend before turning right again to cross the causeway across Kororoit Creek.

18. Turn right to follow Kororoit Creek downstream.

19. After passing various anglers’ clubs, the trail turns inland along Maddox Road.

20. Turn right just before Kororoit Creek Road.

21. The trail continues through Jawbone Conservation Reserve until it reaches Victoria Street.
    
    Victoria Street to Williamstown Station (2.9km)
    

22. The trail turns right on Victoria Street and then immediately left. Ride on the shared path alongside The Esplanade. It passes Williamstown Beach and continues around the point until it is parallel to, and on the beach side, of Battery Road. Continue until you reach a pedestrian crossing. You should see the Williamstown Station in the distance on the left.

23. Cross at the pedestrian crossing to head onto Railway Terrace. There is a park on your right.

24. Ride up through the park to the right of Railway Terrace to Williamstown Station.

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Shorten the ride by either

• finishing at Altona. Just head straight up Pier St from the pier for a few blocks to find Altona Station.

or

• finishing at Williamstown Beach. After passing the surf lifesaving club, the baths and the kiosk ride up Forster Road to its end where you will find Williamstown Beach Station.

Extend the ride by adding one of:

• The Old Saleyards

• Hobson Bay (in the reverse direction)

• Melway or Melway Online: Starts at map reference 53 B11.

• Google:

  • Please click on box with arrow at top left corner to see the map legend.

  • Please click on box at top right corner to see the map in Google Maps. You must be logged into Google Maps to do this.

Note that there are two map errors.

1. Map Gap 1: There is a couple of metres of trail not recognised by Google.

2. Map Gap 2: Here Google will not take you across the road to go to the station.

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