Ashes Heritage Tour
The grand exterior of Rupertswood mansion in Sunbury

A Melbourne cricket journey to Rupertswood

Where cricket's greatest rivalry found its story.

Go beyond the boundary and trace the people, places and remarkable events behind the birth of the Ashes.

Register your interest Discover the story
MelbourneRupertswood, Sunbury
The beginning of a legend

A tiny urn.
A timeless rivalry.

In 1882, England left home determined to recover the honour of English cricket. Their captain, the Honourable Ivo Bligh, could not have known that his journey would create the most treasured symbol in the game—and change his own life forever.

At Rupertswood, the magnificent Sunbury estate of Sir William and Janet, Lady Clarke, cricket, hospitality and romance came together. The estate is celebrated as the birthplace of the Ashes urn tradition and remains one of Australia's most evocative sporting landmarks.

The Ashes story is about far more than cricket. It is a story of ambition, friendship, humour—and an unexpected love that crossed the world.
The experience

Follow the Ashes trail

Travel from central Melbourne to the place where sporting folklore became tangible, uncovering the people and landmarks that shaped the legend along the way.

  1. 01

    Melbourne's cricket heart

    Begin amid the sporting landmarks of the city where Australian cricket grew into a national passion.

  2. 02

    The Clarke legacy

    Meet the extraordinary hosts whose influence reached across Melbourne's civic, cultural and cricketing life.

  3. 03

    A remarkable romance

    Discover how Ivo Bligh met Florence Morphy at Rupertswood—and why their story became inseparable from the urn.

  4. 04

    Rupertswood

    Step inside the grand mansion and visit its historic cricket ground, where the Ashes legend took form.

England and Australia playing at the Sydney Cricket Ground in January 1883
For cricket lovers—and the cricket curious

History you can stand inside.

This is not simply a collection of dates and scorecards. Through engaging storytelling, historic locations and the atmosphere of Rupertswood itself, the Ashes Heritage Tour brings the human story behind cricket's oldest rivalry to life.

  • Guided heritage storytelling
  • Exclusive scheduled access to Rupertswood
  • Melbourne departure and return transport
  • Small-group touring with Go West
First-release access

Be among the first to walk the trail.

Scheduled departures and private group experiences are being developed. Register your interest and the Go West team will send you first-release dates and booking information.

GW
Operated by Go West ToursMelbourne tour specialists for more than 26 years

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