Things to Do at the Bridgewater Mill and Waterwheel

Written by: Cameron Ward

Published: 02/08/2018

Reading time: 2 mins

Adelaide is full of historic spots, including the Bridgewater Mill and Waterwheel.

Set in the charming town of Bridgewater in the rambling scenery of the Adelaide Hills, this old mill dates back to 1860. John Dunn, a mill engineer from Devonshire, built the mill. He built a number of flour mills throughout Australia, but the Bridgewater Mill is by far his most famous.

Situated on Mount Barker Road, the mill boasts an impressive working waterwheel. Dunn chose this particular spot due to the high level of traffic that passed through the area.

In 1986, a consortium purchased the mill. They renovated and integrated an award-winning winery into the building: Petaluma wines. Today, it is a popular restaurant and a wine cellar, drawing in crowds looking for cultural pursuits in the Adelaide area.

Back in 2014, the mill was bought by Warren Randall, a keen wine and restaurant entrepreneur who saw the potential with the building. He wanted to expand the property and turn it into one of the most iconic attractions in the pretty Adelaide Hills. Restaurant staff worked tirelessly to build the perfect menu as part of the renovation. It is now one of the best fine-dining spots in the region.

The outdoorsy nature of the Adelaide Hills means there is plenty to do in the area. Visit Bridgewater Mill and try some of their delicious wines and foods. Plus, access numerous fun acclivities around the region. Here are some of the best!

Explore the Park

a sprawling green park filled with lush trees and plants sits next to the mill. Throughout it, there are plenty of lawns to explore and several spots to kick back, relax, and have a picnic. In the on-site creek, there are stepping stones and pretty scenery. Splash in the cool waters on a hot day. The nearby children’s playground offers fun for younger members of the family.

Discover Bridgewater

The towns and villages of the Adelaide Hills have an eclectic selection of things to do. Head to tasty wineries and restaurants, artisan stores and local galleries. In the town of Bridgewater, where the mill is set, there is plenty to keep visitors entertained: sit back and watch the world go by in one of the quaint cafes, dip in and out of local stores, and wander the tree-lined streets before venturing to the mill itself and diving into its rich history and unique surroundings.

Cameron Ward
Cameron Ward
Managing Director at Sightseeing Tours Australia

Cameron Ward turned his travel passion into a thriving Australian tourism business. Before he co-founded his own business, Sightseeing Tours Australia, he was enjoying being a Melbourne tour guide. Even now, Cameron delights in helping visitors from all around the world get the most out of their incredible Australian trip. You’ll see Cameron leading tours or writing about his favourite Australian places where he shares his local insights.