Sunbury: History, Garden Culture and Experiences

Sunbury brings together traces of the past, a community garden, leisure activities and connections to the wine-growing landscape. This variety is appealing for a family holiday: you can focus on history, activities to enjoy together or experiences in the surrounding area. If you’re looking for a holiday rental, this question can help you decide what kind of stay you want.

Historic sites and a self-guided tour

Built in 1836, Emu Bottom is described as Victoria’s oldest homestead; Goona Warra Estate has been a historic landmark in Sunbury since 1863. A self-guided historical tour can take you to the Old Sunbury Courthouse, the bluestone homestead at Craiglee Vineyard and the remains of Aitken's Gap Gaol. This gives you a choice of different historical points of interest: a courthouse, a homestead and the remains of a gaol.

Community garden, café and leisure ideas

Sunbury Community Garden, also known as Goonawarra Community Garden, has community plots and an orchard with around 50 fruit trees, including some heritage varieties. Together, these give the garden its distinctive character, with shared plots and older fruit varieties. The garden’s layout may change. Events and workshops are held there regularly; if you’re interested in a particular event, check the latest participation information in advance.

Goona Warra Café serves light meals and small dishes with views over the vineyards. This adds a culinary highlight alongside the area’s historical and community themes. Check the latest visitor information about the café before your trip.

Galaxy Land adventure playground is a leisure activity for families in Sunbury. Paintball Sunbury and Goonawarra Golf Course add further leisure options for visitors. When planning, you can decide whether a playground or, instead, paintball or golf best suits your interests. If you plan to visit one of these attractions, check the latest information in advance.

Regional perspectives: collections, wine and landscape

The George Evans Heritage Collection offers a broader cultural and historical perspective on the Sunbury and Bulla region. It includes more than 5,000 items, including documents, objects and photographs relating to the region’s history. Significant pieces are displayed in Sunbury on a rotating basis; the exhibits on view may vary.

The Sunbury wine region is also part of the wider regional picture: it produces a range of vintages and has a reputation that extends beyond Australia to overseas. Nearby, the Wanginu Park and Hammersmith Court Circuit passes through the Jackson’s Creek Valley, taking in its steep slopes, native grasslands, woodlands and wildlife. This offers a nature-focused option alongside Sunbury’s historic and community sites.

When searching for a holiday rental, you can first decide whether to plan your stay mainly around Sunbury’s history and leisure activities or also include the surrounding landscape and wine region. This gives your search a clear connection to the experiences that matter to you on your trip.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Altona, Korumburra, Grovedale, Winton North, Lalbert, Narbethong, Barnadown, Leichardt

For the overview of the wider region, see: Victoria.