Thomastown, a suburb of Melbourne, 17km from the city centre contains a rare archaeological site that is unknown to many people. Its the first and oldest German Pioneer Settlement in Victoria called Westgarthtown.
It’s highly preserved due to its bluestone construction, isolation, and restoration work by the City of Whittlesea (the council it comes under). It is made up of the oldest Lutheran church in Australia, (1856), the oldest Lutheran cemetery in Victoria (1850) and Ziebel’s farmhouse made of bluestone (1851).
From top to bottom: Lutheran church, tombstones in the cemetery, Ziebel’s farmhouse.
There are some other buildings that make up the overall site but they are located on nearby streets and are in private ownership. The main site as shown by some of the photos above is an open site where you can just walk in. You will find many locals going for a walk here.
Ziebel’s farmhouse is opened on the first Sunday of each month and tours can be booked at this link: http://www.westgarthtown.org.au/contact/index.htm
The farmhouse takes its name from the Ziebels an early German family who migrated to Australia in 1850 in search of a better life. Their farmhouse was part of an original 102-acre farm, named The Pines. Built between 1851 and 1856, with 61 cm thick stone walls, the house is a typical German farmhouse.
It still retains the bathhouse, smokehouse and cart shed all in excellent condition. It’s a step back in time into colonial Melbourne.
From top to bottom: Thick stone walls of farmhouse, a section of garden farmhouse
Research shows that no archaeological dig or survey has taken place yet on site. I’m certain just a ground survey of the area would reveal many other structures that existed originally along with objects buried. A plaque on the site explains that there was a school building that was demolished in the 1950s.
I highly recommend you visit the site in the late afternoon when it’s sunny. The late afternoon sun illuminates the settlement basking it in a beautiful deep orange glow. It’s an experience for the senses.
You will forget that you’re in modern-day Thomastown and step back in time – more than 150 years ago.
Thanks to its location the site isn’t a popular spot so apart from a few locals that might go for a walk, you pretty much have it all to yourself making it a perfect place for privacy.
Westgarthtown is a legacy and testimony to the German settlers who came in search of a better life and came to call this part of the world home. Many of the Ziebel’s descendants are still alive and so are involved in the preservation of the settlement.
It is well worth a visit, so put it on your places to visit in Melbourne checklist!
Extra information:
http://www.whitehat.com.au/melbourne/Places/Westgarthtown.asp
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