Introduction: Eynesbury is a little known spot on the western fringes close to Bacchus Marsh, Melton and Werribee. Formerly Eynesbury was known for its rich pastoral history and farming with the area’s heritage closely tied to the Staughton family, with the impressive bluestone Eynesbury Homestead dating from 1872 and a collection of historic farm buildings and structures still scattered throughout the estate.
It is also known for its native Grey Box woodland which is home to many native birds, especially early in the morning where avid photographers can get pretty up close and personal. Due to Melbourne's expanding suburbia, Eynesbury is home to a fantastic 18-hole Eynesbury Golf Course, while those looking for a slower-paced visit can wander around the historic precinct, enjoy the scenery and stop for lunch or dinner at Ms Peacock Kitchen & Bar near the homestead.
Eynesbury is also home to an excellent once a month Sunday market that is one of the best in all of Melbourne. The market manages to be both really quite large yet maintains a lovely country atmosphere. This market is quite special so if the weather lines up we definitely recommend visiting here.
While Eynesbury is technically a small place you can easily combine it with a visit to Bacchus Marsh (where fruit picking is a highlight) or hiking in Werribee Gorge or the Lerderderg State Park. This makes it feasible for a great day out if you plan ahead.
Present Day: Its proximity to Melton, Bacchus Marsh and Tarneit makes it a great spot for a casual visit on a Sunday. If you live in these locations then a once in a blue moon visit makes a lot of sense, especially when combined with the Sunday market or some fresh seasonal fruit picking in Bacchus Marsh at Payne's Orchard or Naturipe.
The Heritage Trail may be enough to keep the kids entertained for a short while without being overly strenuous or taxing for those not so fit. It's all flat terrain and historical farming artifacts make for an easy walk that still has a bit of uniqueness.
Best known for: Today I'd say Eynesbury is best known for it's 18-hole golf course, Eynesbury Homestead and the monthly Sunday market.
Distance to Melbourne: Bacchus Marsh is approximately 1 hour 20 minutes drive from Melbourne CBD so is very accessible for day trips from Melbourne.
Suggested Itinerary:
These are our top picks of things to do on a first time visit to Eynesbury and Bacchus Marsh.
- Catch the lovely, lively and surprisingly big Eynesbury Sunday Market on 4th Sunday each month.
- Walk the Eynesbury Heritage Trail for some local history and bird watching for the avid photographer.
- Enjoy lunch at Ms Peacock for some hearty weekend fare in a classic Victorian homestead.
- Visit Bacchus Marsh just 20 minutes drive away for many many more things to do.
Optional Extras in nearby Bacchus Marsh:
If you have time to spare why not consider.
- Visit on 1st or 3rd Saturday of month to enjoy the Darley Market.
- Walk the local shops. Bacchus Marsh is pretty small so it won't take too long.
- Visit the Forge Bookbarn for second hand books and local history. Saturdays and 2nd Sunday of month.
- Visit the Blacksmiths Cottage for local history and a museum experience. 4th Sunday of the month only.
- Walk the Werribee Gorge Long Circuit Walk for one of the best, most diverse and prettiest walks close to Melbourne City.
- Have lunch at the Courthouse Hotel for a classic pub lunch.
- Have a picnic at Mackenzies Flat and walk to Graham's Dam.
- Go fruit picking at Payne's Orchards or Naturipe Fruits.
- Enjoy more local walks nearby.
- Bacchus Marsh Twilight Market: Note - this is a seasonal market only. More info here.
In More Detail:
We've outlined some of the best things to do in Eynesbury and Bacchus Marsh on a day trip. Eynesbury doesn't justify more than a day trip for most travellers unless you are visiting family and friends or intend to do multiple walks in Lerderderg State Park or Werribee Gorge State Park.
1. Eynesbury Sunday Market:
Blacksmiths Cottage is a heritage-listed site that offers visitors a glimpse into the town's rich history. Located at 100 Main Street, this historic property dates back to the 1850s and has been home to blacksmiths and their families for over a century.
The Blacksmiths Cottage holds National Trust classification and is listed on the National Estate, making it a significant landmark in the region..
If you love your history, enjoy visiting museums or just want to see everything in Bacchus Marsh then the Blacksmiths Cottage is definitely worth a visit.
Best for: A trip down memory lane. Seeing everything that Bacchus Marsh has to offer.
More Information on Blacksmiths Cottage
2. Eynesbury Heritage Trail:
The Forge Bookbarn is a true gem for book lovers, second hand shoppers, bargain hunters and casual readers.
Located in a beautifully restored barn on the edge of the town centre (it's still very central as Bacchus Marsh shopping area is pretty small), Forge Bookbarn combines rustic charm with an extensive selection of books, making it a delightful destination for anyone with a love for literature.
Best for: Admiring the beautiful building and searching for a bargain book.
More Information on Forge Bookbarn
3. Ms Peacock:
The Darley market is on twice a month which is handy for out of town visitors.
Great for bric a brac, plants, tools, food stalls, toys, books and more.
Best for: Rummaging around, searching for a bargain, plants and just having a general wander.
More Information on Darley Market
4. Visit Bacchus Marsh:
Mackenzies Flat is perfect for a picnic and also doubles as a great swimming spot.
For those a bit more adventurous take the relatively short walk to Graham's Dam.
Best for: A picnic and a swim.
More Information on Bacchus Marsh
5. Lunch at Courthouse Hotel (Bacchus Marsh):
The Courthouse Hotel is great for a modern Australian pub lunch.
Modern pub cuisine and great atmosphere as it's busy and the locals seem to love it. Not a particularly distinctive pub but a pumping venue always creates a bit of a positive vibe.
Best for: A modern pub lunch in the country.
More Information on Courthouse Hotel
5. Werribee Gorge Circuit Walk:
The Werribee Gorge Long Circuit is easily the best walk in the Werribee Gorge State Park.
This walk is highly recommended and a personal favourite. We have walked it several times. We love it! Don't be tempted to be lazy and do the short circuit walk as that is a significant down scale in scenery and omits all the attractive parts of the walk.
Best for: A great scenic and diverse walk. One of the premiere day walks in Victoria.
More Information on Werribee Gorge Circuit Walk
6. Falcon's Lookout Walk:
The Falcon's Lookout Walk is the second best walk in Werribee Gorge State Park.
This walk has great scenery and we have walked it multiple times because we enjoy it so much. Highly recommended.
Best for: Spectacular views.
More Information on Falcon's Lookout Walk
7. Centenary Track:
Centenary Track Walk is perfect if you are running out of things to do in Bacchus Marsh. Probably down the list a bit from the best walks around Bacchus Marsh but still quite enjoyable and the mountain (really a hill or giant mound) is quite a prominant peak in the park so it's a nice achievement to walk to the top.
Best for: A sense of achievement. Different views.
More Information on Centenary Track
8. Payne's Orchards (Bacchus Marsh):
Fruit picking at Payne's Orchards is perfect if you love your fruit fresh, full of flavour, enjoy a fun outdoor outing and support local farmers and producers. Great for cherries, peaches, apricots, apples and more.
Best for: Delicious flavours, fun in the outdoors and fruit to die for. Highly recommended.
More Information on Payne's Orchards
9. Strawberry and Cherry Festival (Bacchus Marsh):
The Bacchus Marsh Strawberry and Cherry Festival is one of the best festivals in regional Victoria. The town really comes alive during this festival and you would be forgiven for thinking you were in Melbourne such is the vibe and the crowds.
Carnival rides, street market, live entertainment and music, picnic lawn, many stalls, multiple food vendors and strawberry and cherry fruit picking. A real community festival with an incredible vibe. One of our all time favourite festivals in Victoria.
Best for: Community spirit, atmosphere, crowds, vibe, entertainment and delicious local fruit. Highly recommended.
More Information on Strawberry and Cherry Festival
10. Hide and Seek Festival (Bacchus Marsh):
The Hide and Seek Festival is held bi-annually across Moorabool Shire including Bacchus Marsh and other smaller towns. Art, live music, performances, workshops, food stalls and more bring life to regional Victoria.
Best for: Visiting small town Victoria and live entertainment and arts.
More Information on the Hide and Seek Festival
11. Fruit Picking at Naturipe (Bacchus Marsh):
Fruit picking at Naturipe is perfect if you love your fruit fresh, full of flavour, enjoy a fun outdoor outing and support local farmers and producers. Great for cherries, peaches, apricots, apples and more.
Best for: Delicious flavours, fun in the outdoors and fruit to die for. Highly recommended.
In Conclusion:
Eynesbury is definitely worth a once-off visit if you live around the outer west suburbs such as Point Cook, Williams Landing, Hoppers Crossing, Werribee, Tarneit, Truganina, Manor Lakes and Wyndham Vale as long as you time your visit for the monthly Sunday market. For those further afield it's probably a bit of a harder sell. Combine a visit to Eynesbury with Bacchus Marsh at only 20 minutes away and you have yourself a great daytrip.
The area serves as the perfect gateway to walks in Lerderderg State Park and Werribee Gorge State Park for hikers and lovers of nature. Depending on the weekend you visit, also enjoy the Darley Market (Bacchus Marsh). Fruit picking in Bacchus Marsh is a great option if you have kids for a family friendly fun activity.
