Melbournians are beginning to enjoy more freedom in November 2021. We are now able to gather in larger groups outdoors. With these new freedoms, I organise walks and lunch meetups with friends and participate in a meetup that a friend organised at seaside Mordialloc near the marina. As you can see from the photos, boats (on land and in the water) as well as signs, railway stations and even locks on fences catch my interest on this walk.
There was also a man dressed in a black and red checked shirt that matched the colour of the Cherry- Ripe (a type of popular confectionary) he was eating while perched on a log – this was too good to pass by without a photo.
November is a beautiful time to visit the Williamstown Botanic Gardens. The fox gloves are in bloom and there is a freshness to new growth in the garden. It is not a large garden but an inviting and relaxing one to be in if you are in the area. Also, if you have never seen a giant rhubarb, that can grow taller than an adult, there is at least one clump in the garden near the Edwardian ornamental pond. At various times of the year, you can see bulbs like daffodils and irises come into bloom. The formal palm avenue reminded me of the row of palm trees at Catani Gardens in St Kilda.
According to the Hobsons
Bay City Council, the Williamstown Botanic Gardens was opened in 1860 and
is listed on the “Victorian Heritage Register as significant for their historical,
aesthetic, scientific (horticultural) and social significance to the state of
Victoria. They are also listed on the National Register and classified by The
National Trust of Australia (Vic.)”
There are huge old well-maintained trees near the main entry
which are just picture-perfect on a fine day.
From the gardens we stroll along the Bay Trail. This trail gives
you clear unhindered views of Port Philip Bay. I see a sign warning of snakes
in the area. Yes, this is Melbourne, and where there is any open ‘bushland’ of
sorts, you must stay alert to our local reptilian inhabitants – especially as
the weather warms up. With clear skies and few trees along this trail, it is a
good idea to wear a hat, sunglasses and even sunscreen, while enjoying the beautiful
sunny mild day.
We pass the Williamstown Timeball Tower on the way to Nelson
Place which is the main dining strip in Williamstown. From the Botanic Gardens
to Atomic Bar and Restaurant is an
easy 3km walk across flat terrain.
The Hobsons
Bay City Council tells us that, “The Timeball Tower was a means whereby
ships could accurately set their chronometers with accuracy being essential for
successful navigation on long ocean voyages. At precisely 1.00pm each day, the
ball at the top of the tower would descend slowly down its shaft.
“The Williamstown tower was built in 1849 of local
bluestone. It was originally a lighthouse, and later served as a Timeball tower
from 1861 to 1926.
“Many such towers were built, but they have not survived to
anything like the degree that historic lighthouses have. Today, working
Timeball towers are extremely rare. In addition to the one located at Point
Gellibrand, there is a working Timeball tower at Greenwich in London, and only
three others in the world. It is undoubtedly the jewel of historic
Williamstown”.
If you enjoy architectural walks that include colonial era
buildings that date from the 1830s, this website provides
excellent information on the history of the area. It also includes information
on the oldest memorial drinking fountain in Melbourne which was imported from
Glasgow and inaugurated in 1876, and the customs house which is a great example
of “conservative Classical revival style architecture” erected from 1873.
Another worthwhile visit is the “Blunts Boatyard and Slipway (Nelson Place) which
is a rare operating example of the many small scale boat-building and repairing
businesses which have operated on the Williamstown foreshore from the 1850s on”.
Also, with regards to the grand scale of the former Royal Hotel (85 Nelson
Place), it “is a consequence of change to Victoria's licensing laws in 1877,
which required hotels to have a minimum of 30 rooms of minimum dimensions to be
licenced.”
Within this historical
precinct is HMAS Castlemaine the restored
Bathurst Class Corvette which is open
to the public from 11am to 4pm on weekends and public holidays, apart from days
of extreme heat (over 36°C).
Seaworks Maritime
Precinct is a maritime museum that one can also visit. “The Seaworks site
has been pivotal to Australia’s
Maritime History as the place where the Enterprise set anchor during the
foundation of Melbourne in 1835, the facility for ship repairs during World War
II, and serviced and built vessels for the Port of Melbourne, Australia’s first
independent port authority and busiest port operations.”
There is certainly a lot to see and do in this historical Williamstown Newport Foreshore
area. We will no doubt have to return another day to Williamstown to experience
the rest that we missed.
After our fish and chips lunch seated under the watchful gaze of seagulls, followed by some delicious hazelnut ice-cream from The Ice Cream Shopp, we take the more direct and shorter walking route back to where we parked our car earlier that morning which is actually only 1 km away. This puts us in good time for a visit to the Werribee Park Mansion.
Werribee Mansion is only 40 minutes’ drive even via the
scenic route along the coast. It was unclear where we were to park for the
mansion, but we worked out that the unpaved carpark near the Rose Garden was the
place. It is a short walk to the mansion
through the ornate wrought iron gates.
We pass a lovely sundial on the way to the mansion and
checked the time on it. Yes, it was accurate. There is a small charge (of
$10.90 per adult at time of writing) for entry to the mansion with an
additional cost for audio guides.
The mansion was constructed of basalt and sandstone and was
completed in 1877 for the Chirnside family who made their fortune through wool.
They were originally from Scotland. There are 60 rooms spread across several
wings. It is built in the Renaissance Revival style.
According to the Parks
Victoria website “The fine interior includes some original furniture set
within a richly decorated entry hall containing a Minton encaustic tiled floor,
niches, Corinthian pilasters, and free-standing columns leading to a grand
staircase. The main reception rooms, library and dining room are all
classically ornamented.
“Despite the grandeur, expense, and status of the mansion,
it remains a mystery as to who the designing architect was.
“The mansion was converted into a seminary in the 1920s, and
the entire estate was then purchased by the State Government in 1977.
“You might recognise the striking exterior and opulent
interiors of the Mansion as it has featured as a backdrop in some of
Australia’s favourite film productions and television shows including Miss
Fisher, Winchester, and Neighbours.”
I thoroughly enjoyed my visit there and highly recommend a
visit to the park and mansion. There is an operating hotel onsite in the park,
next to the mansion, the hotel is not open to the public.
We finished our day out with a visit to the famed Victoria State Rose Garden. This
garden boasts a collection of over 5,000 roses. And it is free to visit! We had
timed our visit well as it was just after Melbourne Cup Day when the roses are
at their best. There is an annual show that runs over two days on the weekend following
this famous horse race which is held on the first Tuesday in November. More
information on the show can be found
here.
Werribee Park Mansion and Victoria State Rose Garden
Speaking of things to do in Melbourne during November, if you were to visit the wetlands near Glen Iris Park, you might spot damsel-flies zooming above the ducks paddling below the viewing platform. Gardiners Creek Trail between this park and Markham Reserve, takes you through some picturesque sections which include aged oak trees and quaint bridges that crisscross the creek which give you open views of the waterway. Nasturtiums, small purple and yellow orchids, plants with prickly seeds, oyster plants (also called bear’s breeches, acanthus mollis or sea dock) and also fluffy seeds of the native Australian clematis microphylla can be spotted among the greenery. November is also the time when tiny Japanese maple trees start germinating – you can sometimes see them in great numbers sprouting in gardens under a mature one. It is a good time to start propagating them as they will require some tender care to keep them from the hot weather just round the corner.
In November, Christmas décor start appearing in the shops and
add to the joyous festive expectation. Sunsets along the beach in the Port
Philip Bay area are spectacular. There will be many more opportunities to enjoy
the warmer weather now. What better way to enjoy both with a picnic by the
beach to watch the sun set! This is the last month of spring with average
temperature ranging between min 11°C (52°F) and max 21°C (70°F).
This year for us, November was the time for weddings – and one could not have asked for a more perfect day at Poet’s Lane Receptions for an outdoor garden ceremony.
It was also time to celebrate the end of high school VCE
(Victorian Certificate of Education) as the school year in Australia starts
essentially in February and ends in mid December, but those sitting for VCE
(Year 12) finish earlier (i.e. in November). Our VCE student in the family had
his valedictory celebration at SkyHigh
Mount Dandenong Restaurant with the rest of his year level. This restaurant
is famed for its panoramic views of the city. The drive to the restaurant takes
us through beautiful lush fernery and towering mountain ash and other native
eucalypts.
Our more private family affair was at our favourite Thai
restaurant – Ped’s Thai.
Don’t let the worn signage give you consternation about the quality of the food
here – we always leave the place thoroughly satisfied.
I had the opportunity to try out a new Vietnamese restaurant
using Uber Eats vouchers also this November – Pho505. My Special Combination
Beef Pho and Pork and Prawn Rice Paper rolls were delicious.
Whether it is being outdoors immersed in nature that floats
your boat, or indulging in fine dining or enjoying homely cuisine on the
mountain top or by the water, or even doing some Christmas shopping, November
is a beautiful time to explore Melbourne.
Does the season change in your country like mine? What are
some popular activities that you would recommend for this time of year where
you live?
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Places mentioned in the blog:
·
Williamstown Botanic Gardens
·
Catani Gardens, St Kilda
·
Bay Trail
·
Williamstown Timeball Tower
·
Atomic Bar Restaurant
·
The Ice Cream Shopp
·
Williamstown
·
HMAS Castlemaine
·
Seaworks Maritime Precinct
·
Werribee Park Mansion
·
Victoria State Rose Garden
·
Gardiners Creek Trail
·
Poet’s Lane Receptions
·
SkyHigh Mount Dandenong Restaurant
·
Ped’s Thai Cuisine (restaurant)
·
Pho505 (restaurant)