Whats the best way to get onto the West Gate Bridge from Station Pier ?
and i am not walking , taking Caravan , have looked a google maps but they seen to direct me through some narrow looking roads ,on maps
I hate driving in Melbourne
Long Weekend said
10:37 AM Jul 7, 2021
Presume coming off the ferry?
Off the ferry turn right (cannot turn left anyway!) then about 100 metres turn left at the roundabout - more of a dog leg - which puts you heading west on Beach Road.
Follow Beach to the end, then do a left-right across Beacon Road onto Boulevard Road. Boulevard Road is through an industrial area and the road is very wide - although when I drove along it a few years ago there were speed bumps spaced along.
Where the Boulevard crosses Williamstown Road it becomes Todd Road. Just before going under the Westgate turn right at the roundabout.
Then before the large servo there is a 'U' turn onto the Westgate Bridge/Freeway. Trucks use it so there is a decent on lane to merge.
(If you miss the last 'U' turn, don't panic, go into the servo and exit from there onto the bridge.)
There are several other ways to get onto the Westgate, as you note some of the streets are quite narrow. But there is a way through wide straight streets through Port Melbourne then South Melbourne along Kings Way to an on ramp onto the Westgate. The downside is that there are lots and lots of traffic lights!
Murray
-- Edited by Long Weekend on Wednesday 7th of July 2021 10:41:18 AM
Long Weekend said
11:13 AM Jul 7, 2021
For those who don't mind traffic lights - although on the plus side, this way is all straight four lane (six on Kings Way) divided roads! Mind you, traffic is also a lot heavier.
Off the ferry, turn right at the roundabout onto Beach Road heading east. Beach Road becomes Beaconsfield Road. Turn left onto Kerferd Road, that becomes Albert Road further on. Then turn left onto Kings Way. Just before going under the Westgate Freeway overpass take the on ramp onto the freeway. Merging can be a little tricky so be careful.
Melbourne traffic can be very heavy and drivers tend to be, shall we say, a little impatient. While there are trams this way they are in the center of the road so cause no problems.
All respects to Google, they probably show the shortest route which as Cowboy notes, it is through a lot of narrow streets. This way is, of course, longer which is why Google does not show it.
Murray
Mariner30 said
01:14 PM Jul 7, 2021
Easiest way is to just follow the signs.
There are plenty of them.
Chris61 said
03:02 PM Jul 7, 2021
The easiest way to the Westgate bridge is on my blog page
Yep, left into Bay Street from Beach Road, left into Graham Street, left into Plummer Street and so on will work. Have done that once, although I have to admit it was 'solo' without a van on the back.
That gives Cowboy several options depending how big a van he is towing and how confident he is driving in Melbourne's traffic. He doesn't say if he will be heading north on the Western Ring Road - hopefully it will not be during afternoon peak hour.
I have to admit the WRR is the only road that truly frightens me - three lanes all doing 100km/h and only metres apart. And yes, I have towed a 21ft van along it five times during the afternoon peak hour, as well as more times during the middle of the day. The worst part is coming off the WRR and merging into the Geelong road, it is almost at a standstill and the left lanes end and you have to merge.
Murray
Cowboy7307 said
06:45 PM Jul 7, 2021
Will be a saturday morning
Craig1 said
09:03 PM Jul 7, 2021
Take a deeeeep breath and stay in the middle lane at around 95. Do not get caught in far left on the Bridge.
Cowboy7307 said
08:29 AM Jul 8, 2021
Craig1 wrote:
Take a deeeeep breath and stay in the middle lane at around 95. Do not get caught in far left on the Bridge.
Why is that, does it veer off or come to an end?
Dougwe said
09:07 AM Jul 8, 2021
Morning David and Lesley, hope you are both well.
I have just been down in Melbourne for two days visiting family and sooooo glad to get away from Melbourne traffic. A mad house. I actually avoided Melbourne on my return to N E VIC and went the 'back way' through them there hills. Nice drive too.
If I remember correctly the good ship spirit gets in around 7am ish so will be a little quieter but I have turned right at first roundabout then left at second roundabout, follow the road around to Todd road then hang a right heading to the United servo then just follow the driveway onto the Westgate freeway and over the bridge, keeping in center lane as Craig has said. The left lane at the end of the bridge is or was last I was on there is left turn only and it might be hard to get out of the left lane when you need.
Be careful of any tolls as it can be exe if you don't. I can't remember where tolls start and finish these days as I have an Etag account with auto top up.
Keep Safe on the roads and out there.
Long Weekend said
10:47 AM Jul 8, 2021
Like Dougwe says, that way is the first option I gave. Boulevard Road goes through an industrial area so it will be quiet on Saturday. Crossing over Williamstown Road at the lights Boulevard becomes Todd Road. Only a 100-metres or so turn right at the roundabout.
Also keep in the center lane on the Western Ring Road - the left often becomes a left turn only and/or merge right. Again it should be reasonably quiet on Saturday morning.
Incidentally, there is another servo across the other side of the Westgate Freeway. If coming back to go on the ferry then take the exit just before that servo, left turn, then another left turn onto Todd Road, go under the bridge, straight across the roundabout then onto Boulevard Road. Easy.
A bit of useless trivia. Williamstown Road is so called because it used to actually go to Williamstown - at the end there was a car ferry crossing the Yarra. The ferry remained in service until just before the West Gate Bridge opened.
Murray
Long Weekend said
07:32 PM Jul 9, 2021
Another potential trap for those heading north is that the Hume Highway and Hume Freeway exits from the WRR are separate roads.
First is the Hume Highway exit that goes through Broadmeadows and other suburbs. The one to take is the Hume Freeway about five kilometres further on.
If you do happen to get caught out don't worry - both join up about ten or so kilometres north. In the meantime you have a lot of traffic lights to get through!
Murray
Chris61 said
08:08 PM Jul 9, 2021
Cowboy7307 wrote:
Craig1 wrote:
Take a deeeeep breath and stay in the middle lane at around 95. Do not get caught in far left on the Bridge.
Why is that, does it veer off or come to an end?
It seems a lot less claustrophobic in 2nd lane from the left, even on the Western Ring Road, I tend to stick to the 2nd lane from left. You can go from Westgate Freeway to Western Ring Road from this lane. You also won't get caught in an exit lane. Its an easy drive once you get going, just the thought of it is daunting
Mariner30 said
01:26 PM Jul 11, 2021
Long Weekend wrote:
First is the Hume Highway exit that goes through Broadmeadows and other suburbs. The one to take is the Hume Freeway about five kilometres further on.
Murray
The Hume Highway has never gone through Broadmeadows.
It is this type of misinformation that causes confusion.
My parents lived 5 or 6 houses from the Hume highway for decades, we grew up there.
Dougwe said
02:49 PM Jul 11, 2021
I wouldn't call it "Misinformation" really. The Hume Hwy is along side Broadmeadows if not on the Eastern border. If you look at google maps you will see 'Broadmeadows' just on the west side of the Hume Hwy. Camp road runs through Broadmeadows and across the Hume.
I would give Long Weekend the benefit of the doubt.
Besides, I think this thread is finished as Cowboy mentioned he was traveling yesterday morning. He would have found out by now. Hope he's not lost?
Keep Safe on the roads and out there.
Cowboy7307 said
03:24 PM Jul 11, 2021
Besides, I think this thread is finished as Cowboy mentioned he was traveling yesterday morning. He would have found out by now. Hope he's not lost
Still at home its next Friday night we leave, if Victoria has not closed its boarders, and NSW people stay at home in Sydney
Long Weekend said
03:31 PM Jul 11, 2021
True, the Hume Highway doesn't actually go 'through' Broadmeadows. I used to live in Broadmeadows - actually the suburb of Dallas - and drove along the Hume regularly to and from home. I always thought of the Hume as going into 'Broadie.'
Anyway, the real point is that if anyone accidentally takes the Hume Highway exit then it will meet up with the freeway up ahead.
Murray
Mariner30 said
04:33 PM Jul 11, 2021
Dougwe wrote:
I wouldn't call it "Misinformation" really. The Hume Hwy is along side Broadmeadows if not on the Eastern border. If you look at google maps you will see 'Broadmeadows' just on the west side of the Hume Hwy. Camp road runs through Broadmeadows and across the Hume.
I would give Long Weekend the benefit of the doubt.
Besides, I think this thread is finished as Cowboy mentioned he was traveling yesterday morning. He would have found out by now. Hope he's not lost?
Keep Safe on the roads and out there.
Dougwe
Why would l need to ' google ' something about Broadmeadows. ( specially the suburbs boundaries ) when my parents lived nearby from 1952 until 2016.
In the one house l might add.
Just a short walk from the Hume Highway.
I was born in 1957, lived AND sometimes worked there until 1984 when my wife and l bought our own house.
Some 27 years, l don't need to '"google" anything about the area
As has been pointed out since, the Hume Highway DOES not pass through Broadmeadows.
I also worked in Dallas and Broadmeadows back in the day as well.
Southern Cruizer said
07:14 PM Jul 11, 2021
Cowboy the border will be closed at midnight tonight. We are booked for 27th Sept to head to the south island but have to agree with you in regards to people in Sydney, for god's sake why can't they stick to the rules. Making it hard for all the other people who are doing the right thing.
Us going down south is to find a home to live in, not a holiday. BUT who knows how long these lockdowns will last
Whats the best way to get onto the West Gate Bridge from Station Pier ?
and i am not walking , taking Caravan , have looked a google maps but they seen to direct me through some narrow looking roads ,on maps
I hate driving in Melbourne
Presume coming off the ferry?
Off the ferry turn right (cannot turn left anyway!) then about 100 metres turn left at the roundabout - more of a dog leg - which puts you heading west on Beach Road.
Follow Beach to the end, then do a left-right across Beacon Road onto Boulevard Road. Boulevard Road is through an industrial area and the road is very wide - although when I drove along it a few years ago there were speed bumps spaced along.
Where the Boulevard crosses Williamstown Road it becomes Todd Road. Just before going under the Westgate turn right at the roundabout.
Then before the large servo there is a 'U' turn onto the Westgate Bridge/Freeway. Trucks use it so there is a decent on lane to merge.
(If you miss the last 'U' turn, don't panic, go into the servo and exit from there onto the bridge.)
There are several other ways to get onto the Westgate, as you note some of the streets are quite narrow. But there is a way through wide straight streets through Port Melbourne then South Melbourne along Kings Way to an on ramp onto the Westgate. The downside is that there are lots and lots of traffic lights!
Murray
-- Edited by Long Weekend on Wednesday 7th of July 2021 10:41:18 AM
Off the ferry, turn right at the roundabout onto Beach Road heading east. Beach Road becomes Beaconsfield Road. Turn left onto Kerferd Road, that becomes Albert Road further on. Then turn left onto Kings Way. Just before going under the Westgate Freeway overpass take the on ramp onto the freeway. Merging can be a little tricky so be careful.
Melbourne traffic can be very heavy and drivers tend to be, shall we say, a little impatient. While there are trams this way they are in the center of the road so cause no problems.
All respects to Google, they probably show the shortest route which as Cowboy notes, it is through a lot of narrow streets. This way is, of course, longer which is why Google does not show it.
Murray
The easiest way to the Westgate bridge is on my blog page
https://chrisanddiannesultimaadventure.wordpress.com/trips-to-the-mainland/
That gives Cowboy several options depending how big a van he is towing and how confident he is driving in Melbourne's traffic. He doesn't say if he will be heading north on the Western Ring Road - hopefully it will not be during afternoon peak hour.
I have to admit the WRR is the only road that truly frightens me - three lanes all doing 100km/h and only metres apart. And yes, I have towed a 21ft van along it five times during the afternoon peak hour, as well as more times during the middle of the day. The worst part is coming off the WRR and merging into the Geelong road, it is almost at a standstill and the left lanes end and you have to merge.
Murray
Why is that, does it veer off or come to an end?
I have just been down in Melbourne for two days visiting family and sooooo glad to get away from Melbourne traffic. A mad house. I actually avoided Melbourne on my return to N E VIC and went the 'back way' through them there hills. Nice drive too.
If I remember correctly the good ship spirit gets in around 7am ish so will be a little quieter but I have turned right at first roundabout then left at second roundabout, follow the road around to Todd road then hang a right heading to the United servo then just follow the driveway onto the Westgate freeway and over the bridge, keeping in center lane as Craig has said. The left lane at the end of the bridge is or was last I was on there is left turn only and it might be hard to get out of the left lane when you need.
Be careful of any tolls as it can be exe if you don't. I can't remember where tolls start and finish these days as I have an Etag account with auto top up.
Keep Safe on the roads and out there.
Also keep in the center lane on the Western Ring Road - the left often becomes a left turn only and/or merge right. Again it should be reasonably quiet on Saturday morning.
Incidentally, there is another servo across the other side of the Westgate Freeway. If coming back to go on the ferry then take the exit just before that servo, left turn, then another left turn onto Todd Road, go under the bridge, straight across the roundabout then onto Boulevard Road. Easy.
A bit of useless trivia. Williamstown Road is so called because it used to actually go to Williamstown - at the end there was a car ferry crossing the Yarra. The ferry remained in service until just before the West Gate Bridge opened.
Murray
First is the Hume Highway exit that goes through Broadmeadows and other suburbs. The one to take is the Hume Freeway about five kilometres further on.
If you do happen to get caught out don't worry - both join up about ten or so kilometres north. In the meantime you have a lot of traffic lights to get through!
Murray
It seems a lot less claustrophobic in 2nd lane from the left, even on the Western Ring Road, I tend to stick to the 2nd lane from left. You can go from Westgate Freeway to Western Ring Road from this lane. You also won't get caught in an exit lane. Its an easy drive once you get going, just the thought of it is daunting
The Hume Highway has never gone through Broadmeadows.
It is this type of misinformation that causes confusion.
My parents lived 5 or 6 houses from the Hume highway for decades, we grew up there.
I would give Long Weekend the benefit of the doubt.
Besides, I think this thread is finished as Cowboy mentioned he was traveling yesterday morning. He would have found out by now. Hope he's not lost?
Keep Safe on the roads and out there.
Still at home its next Friday night we leave, if Victoria has not closed its boarders, and NSW people stay at home in Sydney
Anyway, the real point is that if anyone accidentally takes the Hume Highway exit then it will meet up with the freeway up ahead.
Murray
Dougwe
Why would l need to ' google ' something about Broadmeadows. ( specially the suburbs boundaries ) when my parents lived nearby from 1952 until 2016.
In the one house l might add.
Just a short walk from the Hume Highway.
I was born in 1957, lived AND sometimes worked there until 1984 when my wife and l bought our own house.
Some 27 years, l don't need to '"google" anything about the area
As has been pointed out since, the Hume Highway DOES not pass through Broadmeadows.
I also worked in Dallas and Broadmeadows back in the day as well.
Us going down south is to find a home to live in, not a holiday. BUT who knows how long these lockdowns will last