Discover Upwey

Upwey brings together several sides of a destination: walking tracks wind through nature in Glenfern Valley Bushlands, the Burrinja Cultural Centre offers art and performances, and the Upwey Community Market showcases a variety of goods. The town’s history also tells of several connections to its name. When searching for a holiday rental, you may want to start by considering which of these interests will shape your trip.

Walking tracks and nature in Glenfern Valley Bushlands

You can explore Glenfern Valley Bushlands on a long loop walk or a figure-eight route. Several tracks connect with one another, and some are steep. This offers different ways to explore the 100-acre area. When choosing a route, take the slopes into account too. Check current conditions before your visit.

Wildlife in the bushland includes koalas, many bird species and butterflies. This variety offers different nature-watching interests: bird enthusiasts will focus on a different group of animals from those hoping to spot koalas or butterflies. These animals are examples of the area’s wildlife, not a complete list or a guarantee of sightings.

Market offerings and cultural events

The Upwey Community Market offers everything from fresh produce, baked goods and groceries to plants, bric-a-brac and a wide range of handmade items. Dog treats are also available. The selection may vary from one market day to another. A visit brings together different kinds of goods under one name—from edible items to handmade pieces.

The Burrinja Cultural Centre offers visual arts, original theatre, live comedy and live music. Performances and exhibitions change over time. This brings a different focus from a walk in the bushland or a look around the market: art and events add a cultural dimension to your stay, while the tracks and wildlife define the natural setting.

How Upwey got its name

The town’s history offers several points of reference for the name Upwey. The place was originally known as “Mast Gully”. The name came from several ship masts being felled there in the 1850s. In 1897, the Tullidge sisters bought a homestead and named it after the English village of “Upwey on the River Wey”.

Another step followed in 1900: when the narrow-gauge railway from Upper Ferntree Gully to Gembrook opened, one of its stations was named Upwey. The name was adopted locally. The town’s history therefore brings together an early name associated with the felling of ship masts, the naming of a homestead and, finally, the railway station. Together, these offer different insights into the origins of the town’s name, without requiring a single event to explain the whole story.

The right trip idea for your search

As you plan, you can weigh up the different interests: if you’re mainly looking for walking tracks and nature, the loop walk and figure-eight route are practical starting points. For cultural interests, the art and performance offerings at the Burrinja Cultural Centre are in focus; the market, meanwhile, brings together goods ranging from groceries to handmade items. The town’s history adds a historical perspective to these options.

If you’re looking for a holiday rental in Upwey, tailor your choice to the kind of stay you want. Nature walks, cultural events, the market and local history each offer a different reason to get to know the town. This lets you connect your accommodation search with the experiences that matter most for your trip.

Discover more destinations

Cocamba, Moondarra, Barwon Heads, Apollo Bay, Tullamarine, Sorrento, Minyip, West Wodonga

For the broader travel overview: Victoria.