Ahoy Williamstown! Autumn school holiday adventures

Hoist the sails for two swashbucklin' weeks of family fun by the Bay!

4 - 19 April 2026

Ahoy there, mateys! These school holidays, set a course for Williamstown and discover a treasure trove of maritime adventures. Don your pirate hat and explore historic ships, waterfront attractions and family-friendly activities across the precinct. Start your voyage on the high seas with 40% off Melbourne River Cruises, then drop anchor in Williamstown for a swashbuckling day of fun.

All hands on deck - here's what to explore

Set sail on Melbourne River Cruises

Climb aboard Melbourne River Cruises as part of the Ahoy Williamstown school holiday adventure and enjoy a scenic journey along the Yarra and across the bay to historic Williamstown. With 40% off during the school holidays, it’s the perfect way for families to start their day on the water before exploring the precinct’s ships, museums and pirate-themed activities. Sit back, enjoy the views of Melbourne’s skyline and sail into a day of maritime fun in Williamstown.

Get the discount code

Piratefest at Seaworks

Piratefest is an immersive, family-friendly exhibition held at Seaworks that brings the Golden Age o’ Piracy to life with stunning sets, ghostly holograms, hands-on activities and tales of real pirates from across the seas. Step aboard into a world of sea battles, hidden treasure and legendary scallywags.

Wednesdays to Sundays from April to June

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Board the Tall Ship Enterprize

Step aboard the Tall Ship Enterprize and experience a one-hour sailing adventure on a replica of the historic schooner that brought the first permanent European settlers to Melbourne in 1835.

18 & 19 April

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Seaworks Maritime Museum - where sea stories come to life

Located on Williamstown’s historic waterfront, the Seaworks Maritime Museum brings the stories of Victoria’s seafaring past to life. Inside the museum and discovery centre you’ll find a fascinating collection of maritime artefacts, ship models, bells and interactive displays that explore the history of Port Phillip Bay, the Port of Melbourne and the ships and people who shaped the region.

Wednesdays and Sundays 11am to 3pm

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All hands on deck! Discover HMAS Castlemaine

Step aboard the HMAS Castlemaine at Gem Pier and explore a real World War II naval warship built in Williamstown in 1941. Now preserved as a floating museum, visitors can wander through the ship’s decks, engine room and crew quarters while discovering stories, artefacts and memorabilia that reveal what life was like for sailors during wartime.

Weekends and public holidays 11am to 4pm

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Discover the stories of the port on a heritage walking tour

Unlock the secrets of the historic Williamstown waterfront and seaport on a free guided walking tour. Explore hidden lanes, a burial ground, an abandoned morgue, historical buildings and monuments.

Tuesdays and Fridays at 11.45

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Get spooked with Lantern Ghost Tours

Explore King William’s Town, the original capital of Victoria, by lamplight on this atmospheric walking tour. Perfect for older kids and teens, the tour uncovers Williamstown’s colourful past—filled with sailors, convicts and mysterious tales—as you wander through historic laneways, forgotten burial grounds and visit landmarks like Victoria’s oldest morgue and Australia’s Timeball Tower. A dinner option is also available with the Ghosts of the Old City Williamstown Tour.

Fridays and Saturdays from 8.30pm

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Drop anchor for a bite to eat

After a day of adventure, refuel your little pirates along Nelson Place. From classic fish and chips by the water to something a little more substantial at a local café or restaurant, there’s plenty to satisfy hungry crews. And for the perfect end to the day, treat the kids to an ice cream from one of the many ice creameries along the waterfront.

List of cafes