Timeball Tower at Point Gellibrand, Williamstown

First erected in the 1840s, the Tower is constructed of bluestone (quarried from nearby Newport) and overlooks Port Phillip Bay not far from the historic town (now a suburb) of Williamstown, (now a very expensive place to reside)that is approximately 12 kms from the Melbourne CBD. The Tower is one of the oldest buildings since European settlement commenced.

The Tower has, through its near 160 year existence, been both a Lighthouse and a Timeball Tower in various combinations. The latter is where a large spheric ball (made of copper) was 'dropped' at a given time each day in order that Ships' Masters could set their Chronometers to local time to assist with accurate navigation. The Timeball Tower ceased its 'official' function in the 1920s following the death of the last Timekeeper. A small automated Lighthouse remained in use up to the 1960s (more or less as a navigation aid than a traditional Lighthouse), whereupon the Tower fell into neglect.

Of recent times, the Tower underwent renovation/restoration works that included a return of the 'dropping' at 1:00pm local time, of the Timeball (done via a remote Computer) for the benefit of Visitors.

Near the location of the Tower is a popular, especially in the warmer summer months, small Car Park & number of picnic areas (that usually have in attendance a Mr. Whippy Ice-cream Van) that overlook the Bay and the eastern suburbs of Melbourne across to the distant Dandenongs & Yarra Ranges. The main Shipping Channel into the Melbourne Docks also passes close by offering great shots of the passing Ships.

A large Railway Workshops (long gone) operated close to the Tower and a Shipyard still contracts to build Warships for the Australian and other Navies continuing a long association with Ship Building that Williamstown is noted.