Hume City: Surf Park, River Valleys and Local Culture

Hume City offers different perspectives for a trip with an overnight stay: Australia’s first surf park is in Tullamarine, while sweeping plains, volcanic hills and deeply incised river valleys shape the landscape. Guided encounters with retired champion racehorses, grasslands, art and wine traditions round out the options. As you plan your days, you can organise these themes by activity, nature, culture and time required.

Surf Park and Guided Horse Tours

URBNSURF Melbourne is Australia’s first surf park and is located in Tullamarine. For travellers interested in surfing, it is a distinctive destination among Hume City’s attractions. Living Legends’ guided tours offer a very different experience: they run daily at 11 am and 2 pm. Guests visit retired champion racehorses in their paddocks and can pat them. The surf park and horse tour therefore cater to different interests when planning your day.

Landscape and Walk

Hume City’s natural landscape is characterised by sweeping plains, volcanic hills and deeply incised river valleys. The Broadmeadows Valley Park Walk is one way to experience the landscape on foot: the trail is 4.2 kilometres long and takes approximately 65 minutes to walk. It passes through remnant grasslands rich in wildflowers. Endangered Golden Sun Moths, kangaroos and the threatened Growling Grass Frog are found there. The approximate walking time is a useful guide for planning your day; the grasslands and the species found there also give the walk a special connection to nature.

Art and the Civic Collection

The Hume Triptych consists of three oil paintings depicting Craigieburn, Broadmeadows and Sunbury. Hume’s Civic Collection includes artworks and historical objects that reflect the artistic, social and political ideas of the local community. Please note when planning a visit: Civic Collection objects can only be viewed by prior appointment. Make an appointment at least three weeks in advance.

Conservation and Local Wine

Emu Bottom Wetlands Nature Reserve is an example of hands-on conservation work. Hume City Council and local groups protect plants and animals there and improve the water quality of Jacksons Creek. The local community and the Friends of Emu Bottom Wetlands Reserve have restored the wetland through weed control and replanting.

Local food and wine can also be part of your plans. Marnong Estate offers private dining at its Bankvale Run restaurant. The region’s historic local wineries are ideal for tasting its renowned Shiraz.

Planning Your Trip

Hume City is served by the Tullamarine Freeway, Western Ring Road, Hume Freeway and Calder Freeway; Melbourne Airport is in the south of the municipality. When planning your hotel stay, two useful considerations are your location within Hume City and the time required for individual visits. For planning your day, consider the approximate 65-minute walking time, Living Legends’ daily tours at 11 am and 2 pm, and the minimum three weeks’ notice required to book an appointment to view the Civic Collection. This lets you schedule a nature walk, horse tour and potential collection visit according to the time available for each.

Discover more destinations: Bulla, Broadmeadows, Ararat Rural City, Yarra Ranges Shire, Latrobe City, Greater Bendigo City, Alpine Shire, Gannawarra Shire.

For the broader travel overview: Victoria.