Williamstown is a district in the southwest of the Australian metropolis Melbourne , about eight kilometers from the city center on Hobsons Bay , part of Port Phillip .
The place was named after the English King Wilhelm IV .
history
The area around Williamstown was originally inhabited by Aborigines from the Kulin tribe. Because of the natural harbor, through which the entire transport of goods for Melbourne was handled, many immigrants settled in Melbourne as early as 1835 when Melbourne was founded. In 1840 the first lighthouse was built. In 1841, Williamstown had 259 residents according to a census. During the Victorian Gold Rush , the place experienced a strong growth spurt. A post office was opened in 1850. By 1870 Williamstown was the main port of the Victoria colony . In 1904 the population of the place had grown to about 15,000. After World War II , many immigrants from Europe were housed in Williamstown.
.svg){kind=small}
