Ziebell’s Farmhouse Museum Open House Melbourne Weekend 2026
Published on 13 July 2026
Ziebell’s Farmhouse Museum & Heritage Garden will once again open its doors as part of Open House Melbourne Weekend, inviting visitors to discover the remarkable story of the German and Wendish farming families whose hard work helped feed a growing Melbourne.
From Friday 24 to Sunday 26 July, visitors can explore the historic bluestone dairy farm homestead, heritage smokehouse and charming cottage garden in the heart of the Westgarthtown Precinct. Entry is free across the weekend, with a range of guided tours and special experiences available.
This year's Open House Melbourne theme, Generous City, is reflected through Milk and Honey: How German Dairy Farms Sustained Melbourne, showcasing how the Ziebell family and the wider Westgarthtown community established dairy farms that became a cornerstone of Melbourne's food supply through to the 1970s.
Visitors can enjoy guided tours, live butter-churning and fruit-bottling demonstrations, children's activities, and a special guided morning tea inspired by a 19th-century German recipe book belonging to Maria Karsten (née Ziebell, 1823–1919).
The program celebrates the generosity, resilience and community spirit of the early settlers whose cooperation and innovation helped shape Melbourne's northern region. Their legacy continues to resonate today through the diverse communities that call the City of Whittlesea home.
Open House Melbourne Weekend 2026 will be held from Friday 24 to Sunday 26 July. For full event details, tour bookings and program information, visit the Open House Melbourne Weekend event page.
Event details
When:
- Friday 24 July: Guided tour and morning tea, 10am–1pm (bookings required)
- Saturday 25 & Sunday 26 July: Open access, 10.30am–4.30pm (free entry)
- Saturday 25 & Sunday 26 July: Guided tours at 1.30pm and 3pm (bookings required)
Where: Ziebell's Farmhouse Museum & Heritage Garden, Westgarthtown Precinct, 100 Gardenia Road, Thomastown
Cost:
- Friday morning tea and guided tour: $7 per person
- Saturday and Sunday open access: Free
- Saturday and Sunday guided tours: $7 per person
Quotes attributable to City of Whittlesea Mayor, Councillor Lawrie Cox:
"Ziebell's Farmhouse Museum is one of the City of Whittlesea's most treasured heritage places, preserving the stories of the families whose determination and generosity helped shape Melbourne's north. Open House Melbourne Weekend provides a wonderful opportunity for people to experience this unique piece of our shared history.
“The Westgarthtown precinct is a reminder that our community’s identity has always been shaped by the cultures and contributions of people who came to Australia and made it home. We’re proud to bring that story to Open House Melbourne.”