Discover Whittlesea City

Whittlesea City offers reasons to visit, from lively events and immigration and agricultural history to nature. The Whittlesea Show combines show jumping, market stalls and demonstrations; in Westgarthtown, a historic settlement and a farm museum tell the story of German and Wendish history. Trails, parklands and wildlife watching offer a different focus. You can tailor your stay to whether you’re mainly looking for events, heritage or time outdoors.

The Whittlesea Show and its attractions

According to an October 2025 post by the City of Whittlesea, the Whittlesea Show is held annually on the first full weekend in November at the Whittlesea Showgrounds in Whittlesea. The post lists show jumping, woodchopping, an animal area and market stalls, among other attractions. Cooking and craft demonstrations, live entertainment, and interactive and historical displays are also among the activities described. The program ranges from demonstrations and animals to history and crafts. If the show is the reason for your trip, check the dates for your chosen travel year.

Westgarthtown and historic sites

The historic dairy farming settlement of Westgarthtown was founded in 1850 by German and Wendish immigrants. Today, it lies in the residential suburbs of Thomastown and Lalor, within the City of Whittlesea. Ziebell’s Farmhouse Museum and Heritage Garden is located in the Westgarthtown Pioneer Precinct in Thomastown. The museum tells the story of German and Wendish families who came to Australia to establish dairy farms north of Melbourne.

The City of Whittlesea restored the original Ziebell farmhouse, barn and outbuildings. You can explore the farmhouse, bathhouse, smokehouse and cart shed. This makes the history of agricultural life tangible not only through stories, but also through historic buildings. Le Page Homestead, built in the 1850s and surrounded by gardens, is another historic landmark in the municipality.

MoPA Thomastown offers another distinctive experience: the single-storey museum has excellent accessibility and facilities. Its listed features include WHOA!, Australia’s first wheelchair-accessible climbing structure. It’s a concrete example of how a museum experience and climbing come together in one offering.

Trails, parklands and nature

The Epping North heritage trail brings together natural and cultural heritage. Its themes include historic places and landmarks, as well as local flora, fauna and ecological values. The City of Whittlesea provides six easy-to-follow maps for walking trails in the municipality. The trails are designed for people of all ages and abilities, including wheelchair and pram users. The maps cover Bundoora, Epping/Lalor, South Morang, Thomastown, Mernda Villages and Mill Park. Check that the maps are currently available before your trip.

Several nature experiences come together at bunjil nganga Parkland: at 114 hectares, it is the largest parkland in the City of Whittlesea and offers views from its hills. Its network includes 3.6 kilometres of walking and cycling trails. Visitors may spot birds of prey, bush birds, small marsupials, skinks and kangaroos. Nearby, Yan Yean Reservoir Park offers picnic areas and walking trails, with native plants and wildlife among its natural features.

For leisure activities featuring water and rides, there’s Funfields Theme Park. Located within the City of Whittlesea, the park offers water slides, a wave pool, a toboggan ride and family-friendly rides. It operates seasonally and is a major visitor attraction in the municipality. These activities differ considerably from a walk or a visit to historic buildings, and can therefore give your stay a different focus.

Choose the right base

The Whittlesea Showgrounds are in Whittlesea; Westgarthtown and other historic attractions are in Thomastown and Lalor, while trails and parklands offer opportunities to enjoy nature.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Mill Park, Mornington Peninsula Shire, Nillumbik Shire, Hobsons Bay City, Moonee Valley City, Greater Geelong City, Hume City, Hepburn Shire.

For the main travel overview: Victoria.