Think back to 1848. Thomastown began with John Honniball Thomas and his family. They purchased land north of Melbourne for market gardening.
Thomastown is now a vibrant suburb. It is located 16 km north of Melbourne’s central business district. Approximately 14,234 people called Thomastown home in 2021.
Did you know Thomastown shares its area with Westgarthtown? This is a significant historical settlement. William Westgarth bought land north of Thomas’ holding. He made way for German settlers.
Thomastown Post Office opened in 1862. The area attracted farmers and horse-racing enthusiasts until World War II. In 1889 the Epping railway line opened. Milk production grew in the 1930s. A German dairying family formed Pura Dairy. It expanded into Preston and became Metropolitan Dairies Pty. Ltd.
Residential development began in Thomastown in 1947. More settlers moved in, mostly Italians, Macedonians, and Greeks. St. Clare’s Primary School opened in 1961. Thomastown Secondary College and Thomastown West Primary School followed.
Thomastown has several shopping areas. High Street runs parallel to the Thomastown Railway Station. Shops are located on Settlement Road and Dalton Road. You can find shopping strips east of the train station.
The suburb offers many options to get outdoors. The Galada Tamboore Path and Metropolitan Ring Road Trail are great for cyclists. Edgars Creek and the Edgars Creek Trail provide scenic routes.
Each March, the Whittlesea Community Festival unites the community. It showcases local culture with entertainment, food, and crafts. The festival takes place at Barry Road parklands.
Thomastown is home to Select Harvests corporate offices. It also has one of their almond processing plants. The Thomastown Mosque was built in the early 1990s. It’s located opposite the train station.
Thomastown railway station opened in 1889. In 2011, the station was upgraded with a second platform. The upgrade included 310 parking spaces and a pedestrian overpass. Lifts were added for disabled access. New Myki card systems replaced the old ticket system.
Thomastown has five sporting ovals. These include Nick Ascenzo Park and Thomastown East Recreational Reserve. There is also a Thomastown Football Club. They compete in the Northern Football League.
Thomastown’s population was 20,482 in 2016. The median age of residents is 38 years old. Thomastown has a multicultural heritage. Many nationalities are represented here.
The suburb is well-connected. The Metropolitan Ring Road and Hume Freeway provide access to Melbourne. The Epping railway line and bus services offer public transport options.
Thomastown offers a relaxed lifestyle. It has green spaces, a library, and schools. The suburb provides a relatively inexpensive option for living. It is close enough to enjoy city life.
As we conclude our tour, remember Thomastown’s journey. From market gardens to a thriving suburb, Thomastown offers a unique blend of history and modern living.