Situated 21 kilometres from Melbourne’s CBD, Mitcham is a quiet suburban area that tends to have less neon and nightlife in favour of more parks and preschools.
The area was named after Mitcham Grove, a large farm that was once owned by William Slater and was famous for growing roses and herbs for perfumes and remedies. Since it was first settled by Europeans in the 1860s, Mitcham’s farmland was generally used for orchards, as well as being home to a brick making and pottery industry.
For a time, Mitcham was its own little village, with its own Post Office that opened in 1884 and lots of other amenities. In the wake of the second world war in the early 1950s, Mitchum grew to become a suburb as the city of Melbourne also expanded. Mitcham was also used as a location for the world's first feature film, The Story of the Kelly Gang, which used the suburb in key scenes for the 1906 movie.
When visiting the Melbourne area, Mitcham isn’t the most obvious choice when looking for a place to base yourself. However, with plenty of native parklands to explore, as well as historic homesteads to wander through, Mitcham has plenty to offer travellers who choose to stray off the beaten path.
The historic Schwerkolt Cottage is located amidst 2.25 hectares of rugged bushland, with native trees and wildlife aplenty surrounding it. The stone cottage was originally built in 1884 and today retains its original style and features that would have been around in the time of the pioneers.
While wear and tear and time have of course affected the cottage, it has been meticulously and faithfully restored to its original condition – and furnished in precisely the same way it was when it was first occupied. This fastidious attention to detail has paid off and gives the cottage and superbly authentic feeling that will impress visitors with what feels like a genuine window into the past.
Take time to wander around the grounds of Schwerkolt Cottage to uncover even more of the area’s past life. As you walk through the grounds, you’ll encounter lots of interesting things, including a wine cellar, a smokehouse, and an orchard machinery shed and workshop.
There’s also a museum on-site that tells the story of the farm and the local area, with a collection of old artefacts, including toys and photographs of previous residents of the Mitcham area.
After a morning or afternoon spent exploring, you’ll probably have worked up a sufficient appetite. We recommend packing a picnic for your travels as there are many good places where you can place a blanket and enjoy a lazy lunch. There’s no better place to picnic than the Yarran Dheran Nature Reserve.
Located on the beautiful banks of the Mullum Mullum Creek, the park is home to a plethora of native wildlife, including koalas, who can be spotted perched in the old gums, and kangaroos and wallabies, who are often seen bounding through the shrubbery. Take a stroll through the bushlands, and admire the wattles, orchids and beautiful wildflowers that decorate this lovely area.
