A guide to heritage orchards and related attractions in the City of Manningham Melbourne Australia
Heritage Orchards of Manningham, information and map is proudly brought to you through the cooperative efforts of Manningham City Council, Heritage Victoria, Pettys Orchard & Parks Victoria, Doncaster and Templestowe Historical Society, Wonga Park and District Residents'Association. We gratefully acknowledge the funding support from Victoria's Heritage Grants.
A brief history
For more than a century the district of Doncaster and Templestowe and its surrounding areas was a prominent fruit growing centre within Australia and has sometimes been referred to as the cradle of the fruit growing industry in Victoria. The district was well suited to fruit production and within easy reach of the Melbourne markets.
The first orchards were planted as early as the 1860s and by 1890 had become well established. The peak of fruit production was reached in the 1920s with more than 15 000 acres (6 000 hectares) under cultivation. Early plantings included plums, peaches, apricots, cherries, loquats and quinces. In later years peaches, apples, pears and lemons became the predominant crops. Large volumes of apples and pears were exported to the United Kingdom and Europe in the first half of the 20th century.
Prominent fruitgrowers worked closely with Government departments in the development of orchard pest control measures and regulations governing the export of fruit. The district was also notable for a number of innovations in the fruit growing industry including the design and manufacture of orchard implements and equipment, improved methods of irrigation and the provision of cold storage facilities for fruit.The Doncaster Fruitgrowers Association, formed in 1892, did much to promote the industry and provided valuable assistance to local orchardists by way of meetings and practical demonstrations on local orchards.
Fruit growing became a well established family tradition in this locality, carried on and further improved through subsequent generations of pioneering families. Old methods gave way to new and better techniques.
The decline of the industry began in the 1950s and continued relentlessly as new residential areas close to Melbourne were sought by land agents and developers for new housing estates.
Local Innovations
Irrigation: The storage of water in dams for summer irrigation began about 1900. Growers helped each other to build dams using horse drawn scoops. On some orchards, water was pumped from gully dams to higher dams from where it could be reticulated by gravity feed through underground pipes to water all parts of an orchard. Early pumps were steam driven, but in later years petrol, diesel or electric pumps were used. Dams were filled from rainfall run off during winter.
Spray pumps: The invention of the Bave U orchard sprayer revolutionised the spraying of orchards for pest control. Initially, hand operated pumps were used. In 1908, Mr J E Russell, an engineer, designed and manufactured the first Bave U orchard sprayer at Box Hill.This was mechanically operated and was capable of pumping at high pressure through hoses connected to spray rods. In time it was widely distributed throughout Australia and in New Zealand.
Cool stores: The successful application of cold storage to fresh fruit enabled the first cool store to be built by the Victorian Government at Doncaster in 1905 following petitions from local growers. Other cool stores soon followed. A few of these were privately owned but the larger ones were established on a co-operative basis at Doncaster West in 1911, Doncaster East 1914,Templestowe 1919 and Donvale 1921.
Fruit varieties: More than 20 new peach cultivars were developed over the years by local orchardists. A few of these are still grown commercially on orchards today including the following varieties: Doncaster Crawford, Thiele's Cling, Millicent, Beale, and Anzac.
Petty plough:This was designed by Herb and Frank Petty in 1932, and manufactured by Daniel Harvey in Box Hill. It was able to plough closer to the butts of fruit trees, and was extensively used on local orchards. One grower hailed it as "the most progressive invention yet made in the interest of orchardists".
Schramms Cottage
Step back in time at the Schramms Cottage Complex and Orchard Museum. Housed in a number of local buildings relocated to the site of the original Lutheran Church in Doncaster, the museum is maintained for the City of Manningham by the Doncaster and Templestowe Historical Society.The delightful grounds and gardens are a relaxing setting in which to recall the lives of the pioneers of this district. There are strong connections with the early Lutheran settlers in Schramms Cottage and the Waldau cemetery, and with the many orchardists of the area in Atkins Orchard Cottage and Fingers Barn.
Things to do at Schramms Cottage
Visit Schramms Cottage (1874) and the attached school room where Pastor Max von Schramm conducted classes for both children and adults.
Enter Atkins Orchard Cottage (1863). Marvel at the way Ben Atkins'family managed to live in these tiny rooms, and at the evidence of early recycling in the construction of the building.
Learn about the history of orcharding in the orchard museum I housed in the barn built by Henry Finger in 1870.
See the orcharding equipment, some of it designed and made locally.
Learn about the craft of the wheelwright and the blacksmith.
Orchard Museum & Wheelwright Shop
The orchard museum, housed in Henry Finger's barn, contains many examples of orcharding tools and equipment. The wheelwright shop displays a forge, tools and equipment from early local wheelwright's and blacksmith shops that were important to the running of orchards in the days of horse drawn equipment. The machinery shed includes a number of early ploughs and orchard sprayers, some designed and manufactured locally. Of particular note are the Petty Plough and the Bave U Orchard Sprayer.
Visit the sloyd room to learn of this method of instruction designed to improve the manual dexterity of boys, and to see the models of orcharding tools and eguipment made by a retired orchardist.
Take a look at the tram. It is a replica of Australia's first electric tram that ran between Box Hill and Doncaster from 1889-96. Spend a quiet moment in the old Waldau cemetery and read the plaques commemorating the early settlers and their children who were buried there between 1854 and 1888.
Enjoy the gardens and look for the thumbprints in the hand-made bricks in the pathways.
Pettys Orchard
Nestled along the Yarra River, Pettys Orchard uniquely encompasses an antique apple orchard, commercial orchard, wetlands and bird hide. Pettys Orchard grows, displays and interprets over 200 different types of antique apples. Pettys Orchard is 44 hectares in size and includes approximately two hectares of demonstration orchard and 25 hectares of commercial orchard. The orchard also includes a wetlands area and fruit and nut arboretum.
The Yarra River flowing beside the orchard adds to its picturesque setting.
Things to do at Pettys Orchard
Access to the orchard is by appointment only. For school or group tours phone (03) 9846 5339.
Stroll down to the Yarra River bank, acquaint yourself with the diverse range of fruit and nut trees.
Explore the sights and smells of an orchard.
Rediscover antique apples on a guided walk.
Learn about the history of the apple, orcharding and the Petty family in the museum. The old packing shed features working grading machines and packing systems from the 1840s onwards.
Enjoy the rural scenery and tranquil setting.
Open every Friday and Saturday for organic produce.
Annual open day.
Kellybrook Winery and Cider Orchard
Kellybrook began making cider in 1969, following the success of pioneer George McGowan's Lilydale Cider. Kellybrook use locally grown apples.The very first vintage won a gold medal at the Royal Melbourne Show. In the tasting room and restaurant you can enjoy a sparkling cider, apple brandy and a sparkling draft cider. Many of the apple based products are unique in Australia.
Kellybrook holds a cider festival on the first weekend in May with cider making demonstations, entertainment and many apple products to sample and buy.
Kevin Heinze Garden Centre
Opened in 1979, the Kevin Heinze Garden Centre is a unique and innovative provider of horticultural therapy and recreational gardening for people with disabilities or disadvantage.This tradition continues with many children and adults from schools and community groups attending programs each week. Participants plant, nurture and harvest their own produce, grow flowers and engage in creative art or craft activities.The centre provides a quiet oasis in suburbia. Many people comment on the sense of peace they feel when they visit the gardens.
Open for tours by appointment only. (03) 9848 3695
Operating Orchards
A Pettys Orchard
Monckton Rd (cnr Homestead Rd) Templestowe. Melway 22 B12. (03) 9846 5339. Open weekends and by appointment.
Nestled on 44 hectares along the Yarra River, Pettys Orchard uniquely encompasses an antique apple orchard, commercial orchard, wetlands and bird hide. Pettys Orchard grows, displays and interprets over200 different types of antique apples.
B Aumann Family Orchard
150 Harris Gully Rd, Warrandyte 3113. Melway 35 A6. (03) 9844 3464. Open 7 days a week 8.30am-5.30pm Fruit specialty shop where you can buy your fruit direct from the grower. Peaches, nectarines, cherries, plums, apricots, nashi, apples and pears. During the apple season, we offer up to 15 different varieties of apples for sale.
C Coupers Orchard
Freyne Street, Wonga Park. Melway 36 D3. (03) 9722 1738 Open on Fridays and Saturdays 9an>-6pm October-April. Offers apples, pears, peaches, nectarines, plums, cherries in season. Select fresh or from the cool store, or off the tree. There is a marked walk around the orchard and bush. Visit the four mud brick houses (wattle & daub, African, Chinese mud brick, and log cabin).
D Warrandyte Berry Farm
451 Warrandyte-Ringwood Road, Warrandyte South. Melway 35 J4. (03)98442178. Open 7 days 9am-5.30pm.Closed July and August. Strawberries. Other berries when in season. Hydroponic tomatoes. Homemade jams and strawberry, raspberry and blackberry sauces. Homemade A ice-cream, pure strawberry milkshakes and jam donuts.
Other Related attractions:
E Schramm's Cottage
Rieschiecks Reserve, Victoria Street, Doncaster. Mel way 33 J10. 1 Open 2-5pm Sundays and Public Holidays or by appointment, j Phone (03) 9844 2392. First open to the public in 1976, the land and buildings are owned by the City of Manning ham, with the museum contents owned and maintained by the Doncaster and Templestowe Historical Society.
F Kellybrook Winery and Cider Orchard
Fulford Road, Wonga Park. Melway 24 J8. (03) 9722 1304 Open Monday to Saturday 10am to 5pm Sunday 11am to 5pm Kellybrook, is a lovely oasis in the old Yarra Valley orchard belt. Enjoy a sparkling cider, apple brandy and a sparkling draft cider at our Cellar Door. Many of our apple based products are unique in Australia and made from locally grown fruit.
G Kevin Heinze Garden Centre
39 Wetherby Road, Doncaster. Melway 47 HI. (03) 9848 3695 Open by appointment only. Participants plant, nurture and harvest their own produce, grow flowers and engage ii I creative art or craft activities. Come to our annual Spring fair on the third Saturday in October, for quality bargain plants.
Festivals & Events
H Pettys Heritage Orchard Festival
Held annually on the first weekend in April Monckton Rd (cnr Homestead Rds) Templestowe.
Melway 22 B12 (03) 9846 5339. Celebrate the legacy of our pioneering orchardists in Manningham at our annual festival. Discover heritage apples available at Pettys orchard. Brought to you by Yarra Organics and the Heritage Fruit Group.
I Kellybrook Cider Festival
Held annually on the first weekend in May Fulford Road, Wonga Park. Melway 24 J8. (03) 9722 1304. Tasting and sales of ciders, wines and our apple brandy, cider making demonstrations, scrumpy, fresh apple juice, ploughman's and squire's lunches, tempting apple desserts, mulled cider, toffee apples, children's entertainment and much more.
J Manningham Spring Festival
Held annually on the third Sunday in November Ruffey Lake Park, George Street, Doncaster. Melway 33 F10. Featuring a dynamic program of free entertainment, attractions and activities, the Manningham Spring Festival celebrates and showcases our local community against the spectacular backdrop of Ruffey Lake Park.
Pictures:
- Some of the many apple varieties grown in Manningham: Golden Delicious, Jonathon, Granny Smith, Red Delicious, Gavenstein
- Orchardists Cool Store 1914 Safeway now stands in this site in Doncaster Road.
- Doncaster Tower: built 1879 demolished 1914 was a popular tourist destination. It was sited near the corner of Council Street and Doncaster Road.
- This aerial photo taken in 1950 shows the extent of orcharding in the area around Ruffey Lake Park.
