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EVERYDAY ODDITIES · STRANGEST & RAREST

One of a handful of working timeball towers worldwide.

Williamstown Timeball Tower · Point Gellibrand, Williamstown

Williamstown Timeball Tower

Photo: Mattinbgn / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Display cropped. The historic Timeball Tower at Williamstown.

About this place

Once a lighthouse, the Williamstown tower later used a falling ball to signal time to ships. Hobsons Bay Council identifies only three other working towers beyond Williamstown and Greenwich.

The record

Comparison: Historically surviving working timeball towers in the council’s account.

The 1849 date is for the tower; timeball use began later. Working status does not guarantee a public demonstration on any given visit.

Visiting

Check the linked visitor information for present access and any booking arrangements.

Verify access details directly before travelling. Occasion tags are editorial suggestions. They do not certify accessibility or opening hours.

Just wanderingFamilyDateFirst visit

Sources

Sources checked 23 September 2026. A publisher’s claim is attributed; it is not a complete independent survey.