HMAS Castlemaine

HMAS Castlemaine is a preserved Bathurst-class corvette moored at Gem Pier in Williamstown, Victoria, within the City of Hobsons Bay. Launched in 1941 and serving in World War II, she is the last remaining example of 60 such corvettes built in Australia. Operated as a museum ship by the Maritime Trust of Australia, she offers visitors insight into naval history, wartime service in the Pacific, and life aboard a mid-20th-century warship.

Visitors can board and explore the preserved warship moored at Gem Pier on Hobsons Bay. Expect to walk through decks, engine room, boiler room, bridge, mess decks, and gun positions with original fittings and interpretive displays. The setting is a historic waterfront pier with views across the bay to Melbourne. Guided tours by volunteers explain ship operations and wartime service. The visit is self-paced with information panels, photographs and artefacts illustrating life at sea.

HMAS Castlemaine (J244/B248) is a Bathurst-class corvette built at Williamstown Naval Dockyard, launched 7 August 1941 and commissioned 17 June 1942. She served in World War II escorting convoys, including to Darwin and New Guinea, and participated in operations in the Pacific. Decommissioned in 1945, she later served as a training ship before being preserved as a museum ship from 1973, representing Australia's wartime shipbuilding program.

The vessel is listed on the Australian National Heritage and Victorian Heritage Register as the sole surviving Bathurst-class corvette, symbolizing Australia's naval heritage and the contribution of Williamstown dockyards. Maintained by the Maritime Trust of Australia with volunteers, it serves as a community memorial and educational resource for maritime and wartime history.