Ziebell’s Farmhouse Museum and Heritage Garden
Ziebell’s Farmhouse Museum and Heritage Garden is a unique attraction located in Thomastown’s Westgarthtown Pioneer Precinct – a hidden gem amongst modern homes.
Originally owned by Christian and Sophia Ziebell, the farmhouse was built during the 1850s by the Ziebell family using local bluestone and typical German design. Surrounded by a barn, smoke house, bathhouse and beautifully maintained cottage garden the museum tells a fascinating story of the journey German and Wendish families made to Australia to establish dairy farms north of Melbourne.
Visitors are transported to a time when Thomastown was known as Westgarthtown, Edgars Creek ran through open pasture and immigration was by tall ship. The neighbouring Reserve, Lutheran Church and historic Cemetery create further interest for tourists and locals alike.
Programs and Exhibitions
Ziebell's Farmhouse Open House Melbourne Weekend - 24 to 26 July 2026
Ziebell’s Farmhouse Museum and Heritage Garden in Thomastown will open its doors to the public this July as part of Open House Melbourne Weekend, celebrating the extraordinary story of how German and Wendish immigrants helped feed Melbourne from a small dairy precinct just 16 kilometres north of the CBD.
Now in its second year as an Open House Melbourne (OHM) participant, the Museum will offer visitors free access to the bluestone dairy farm homestead, heritage smokehouse and delightful cottage garden across three days from Friday 24 to Sunday 26 July 2026 - welcoming the community into a living piece of Melbourne’s multicultural food and agricultural history.
As part of Open House Melbourne's Generous City theme, visitors are invited to consider how the values of generosity, participation and belonging have shaped Melbourne over generations. The Westgarthtown story demonstrates how migrant families built community through cooperation and productivity, creating a legacy that continues to resonate with the diverse communities that call Melbourne's north home today.
Guided tours occurred with Germantown descendants to explore one of Melbourne’s oldest surviving bluestone homes built in 1850, viewing the cottage garden, walking through the Westgarthtown precinct and hearing a special German storytime on Sunday morning.
When
- Friday 24 July (Tour and Morning Tea 10am – 1pm, bookings required)
- Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 July (10.30am – 4.30pm, free entry/open access)
- Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 July guided tours at 1.30pm and 3pm, booking required.
Guided tour tickets are available for booking from Wednesday 1 July, 12pm.
More info and tickets can be booked via Open House Melbourne website.
Turning back to Edgars Creek
Presented by Ziebells Farmhouse and Museum
In 2021, an exhibition and brochure was developed entitled Turning Back to Edgars Creek. It looked at peoples' changing cultural relationship with the creek in what is now called Thomastown and Lalor. The brochure was delivered to 16,000 households and can be downloaded here.
Download the free booklet(PDF, 2MB)
Opening hours
11am – 3pm Tuesday and Sunday.
General admission – tickets at the door.
Guided tours for groups available.
Location
100 Gardenia Road, Thomastown VIC 3074
Get directions
Contact
Email: ziebells@whittlesea.vic.gov.au
Phone: 03 9464 5062
More information
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