Tyabb and Somerville, located on the Mornington Peninsula, were once at the heart of Australia’s apple and pear industry, with fertile land and a favourable climate supporting extensive orchards. The area was originally home to the Bunurong people, the Indigenous custodians of the land, before European settlers arrived. In 1845, Martha King established a homestead as part of the Bunguyan pastoral run, which covered most of what would later become Tyabb and Somerville. This marked the beginning of European settlement in the region.

As the area developed, orchards became central to the local economy. The arrival of the railway in 1889 greatly benefited both Tyabb and Somerville. The train line connected these areas to Melbourne, allowing orchardists to easily transport their high-quality apples and pears to the city’s important markets. This connection to Melbourne was crucial for the success of the local fruit industry. Tyabb’s railway station became a key hub, and in 1914, a cool store was built nearby to preserve and transport produce.

Somerville, with its fertile soil, also flourished as a major fruit-growing area. Orchardists like the Brunnings, Shepherds, and Unthanks played a significant role in the development of the local industry. The Somerville Fruit Growers’ Association, founded in 1892, held its first annual show in 1895. This event grew to become the largest of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere, drawing attention to the area’s agricultural success and establishing Somerville as a key horticultural hub.

By the 1960s, suburban expansion and rising land values led to the decline of orcharding in both Tyabb and Somerville. Despite this, their agricultural legacy remains an important part of the region’s history.

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