In 1853 Thomas Petty arrived in Australia from England and selected land in the Doncaster and Templestowe area. It was Thomas Pettys' grandson, Thomas Henry, who, in 1911, first bought the property that is located at Homestead Road, nestled along the Yarra River.
Thomas Henry was the first of three generations of Pettys to work the Homestead Road orchard.
The Petty Family managed the orchard until Parks Victoria purchased the property in 1981.
The orchards that once covered the Doncaster and Templestowe area are fast disappearing. The Heritage Fruit Society manages and maintains the heritage fruit collection in Petty's Orchard. We are part of a world wide network which is conserving antique apple varieties and protecting them from extinction.
Pettys Orchard uniquely encompasses an antique apple orchard, commercial orchard, wetlands and bird hide. Its 44 hectares includes approximately two hectares of Demonstration Orchard and 25 hectares of Commercial Orchard. The remaining area includes the wetland, fruit and nut arboretum, Yarra River and surroundings. The heritage collection grows, displays and distributes more than 200 different types of old and rare apples.
