Discover Cottles Bridge

Discover Cottles Bridge through its art, wine and bushland. Local themes range from an artists’ residency and a historic art history to wineries. The wider destination of Nillumbik Shire adds further landscape and cultural themes.

Art history and residency program

The Dunmoochin Foundation is a not-for-profit residency program for emerging and established artists and researchers. It is located in the natural bushland of Cottles Bridge, at 105 Barrenong Road, about an hour from central Melbourne. The residences and shared outdoor areas are private; access is by appointment only.

Another historical connection dates back to the early 1950s, when a group of young artists, encouraged by painter Clifton Pugh, bought a 105-acre bushland property in Cottles Bridge. The town’s cultural themes therefore include both a specific event from its local history and a not-for-profit residency program for art and research.

Wineries and architecture

Lovegrove Winery is one of the wineries to visit in Cottles Bridge. At Hildebrand Ridge Organic Vineyard, visitors can sample organic Chardonnay, Cabernet and the winery’s latest Pinot. The cellar door opens at 11:30 am on Saturdays, except during the Christmas break. Check opening information before travelling.

Architecture is another point of interest: the cellar door at Wedgetail Estate has rammed-earth walls and recycled timber elements. Alongside tastings and wineries, Cottles Bridge thus offers a distinctive architectural detail to explore.

Nillumbik Shire as a wider regional setting

In the wider destination of Nillumbik Shire, towns sit among unspoilt bushland and picturesque hills. Nillumbik also has an extensive network of trails for walking, horse riding and cycling. The Panton Hill Bushland Reserve System comprises seven community-managed bushland reserves in the Panton Hill, Smiths Gully and Watsons Creek areas. Together, they cover about 140 hectares and offer opportunities for bushwalking, birdwatching, horse riding and mountain biking.

The Green Wedge Trail offers a way to explore Nillumbik’s rural areas, running from Watery Gully Road in Wattle Glen to Clintons Road in Smiths Gully. The Hurstbridge Heritage Trail offers a different perspective, passing 30 historically significant sites spanning the period from early settlement to the mid-20th century.

Cultural attractions in the wider Nillumbik Shire include Montsalvat, an art centre and artists’ community founded in 1934. The 12-acre grounds contain more than 34 buildings. Montsalvat offers three galleries, 19 studios, a ceramics centre and event spaces for concerts and exhibitions, as well as studio programs and ceramics classes. The Shire’s public art collection is also widely distributed, comprising sculptures, land art, murals and mosaics across Nillumbik’s towns and landscapes.

Another regional attraction is Edendale Community Environment Farm in Eltham. It spans seven acres beside Diamond Creek and provides education about sustainable living and the natural environment. In 2026, Nillumbik Artists Open Studios invites visitors to meet more than 30 artists in their studios across the Shire, including painters, ceramicists, printmakers, sculptors and musical instrument makers. If you plan to include the program in your itinerary, check the dates in advance. Open Cellars invites visitors to explore the Nillumbik Hills and meet local winemakers; event dates vary by program year.

Discover more destinations: Camberwell, Meeniyan, Navarre, Bannockburn, Golden Square, Fingal, Bundoora, Bairnsdale

For the wider travel overview: Victoria.