Sunbury

Drive 40 minutes north from Melbourne’s CBD and discover a region full of award-winning vineyards and iconic wildlife along with a growing foodie scene. Plan out your itinerary over a morning brew and watch the jumbo jets landing at nearby Tullamarine Airport.

Sunbury is also famous as the birthplace of The Ashes, international cricket's coveted trophy. Cricket history records that when Australia won against England at The Oval in London 1882, The London Times announced the death of English cricket. Shortly after this, when the English team toured Australia, a social match was played by the two teams at Rupertswood Mansion. Tradition has it that after the game the bails were burnt and the ashes presented to the English captain, thereby beginning the famous tradition.

Rupertswood Mansion now hosts festivals and weddings amid its grand rooms, extensive gardens and wine cellar, while luncheons and heritage tours are held year-round.

Sunbury is home to the state's oldest homestead, Emu Bottom, which was built in 1836. Emu Bottom now offers tailored tastes of Australia's pioneering history, including music by a bush band and various bush tucker-eating experiences. Uncover more of Sunbury's rich past on a tour taking in the old Sunbury Courthouse, the bluestone homestead at Craiglee Vineyard, and what's left of Aitken's Gap Gaol.

Use the town as an ideal starting point for a tour of the celebrated Sunbury Wine Region. Meet the winemakers and taste at the cellar doors of the numerous wineries in the region including two historic wineries, Goonawarra (1863) and Craiglee Vineyard (1864).

Sunbury is approximately 40 kilometres from the Melbourne CBD, or around 40 minutes by car along the Tullamarine Freeway and the Sunbury Road.