Bridgewater

Bridgewater
Charming village on Cox's Creek famous for its Mill.
Located only 22 km from Adelaide via the South East Freeway, Bridgewater is an attractive village which is noted for its exceptionally beautiful old watermill.

The village of Bridgewater came into existence in 1840 when an inn was built at the fording point where bullock teams crossed Cock's Creek. It was originally known as Cock's Creek. This became corrupted to Cox's Creek and when, in 1859, John Dunn, a miller, built his beautiful mill across the creek (it was powered by the huge waterwheel which is still such a distinctive part of the village) near the coach road through the hills, he changed the name to Bridgewater. No one knows the exact origin because there was a bridge across the water at the time. However it is more likely that John Dunn, who had emigrated from the village of Bridgewater in Somerset, simply decided to name the fording point after his old home.

Today the village is a pleasant retreat from the heat of Adelaide. It has a distinctly English feel to it with pleasant European gardens and plenty of deciduous trees along the creek.

Things to see:

Petaluma's Bridgewater Mill
Located on Mount Barker Road at Bridgewater this glorious winery (the setting beside the river is characterised by a beautiful park and a huge water wheel which dates from 1860) was established in 1976 and specialises in both premium red and white table wines and sparkling wines derived from shiraz, pinot noir, cabernet merlot, sauvignon blanc, riesling and chardonnay grapes. It is open for tastings and sales for seven days a week. For more details contact (08) 8339 3422.

Pippin Wines
Located to the north-east of Bridgewater (take the road through Verdun to Balhannah) on Greenhill Road this winery was established in 1992 and specialises in both red and white table wines and white sparkling wine derived from pinot noir grapes. It is open on weekends for tastings and sales. For more details contact (08) 8388 4794.

St Githa's Garden
Located in Rosewarne Crescent, Bridgewater this multi-award winning garden is best seen in spring and summer. It is typical of the area in the sense that it is unashamedly a formal English garden with formal lawns, roses, perennials and outstanding floral displays.

Two Walks in Bridgewater
There is a brochure, Two Walks in Bridgewater, which covers most of the historic buildings in Bridgewater including the Millers Cottage (1860), the Bridgewater Mill, the Bridgewater Inn, the General Store (1877) and the Old Police Station. Both walks are ideal ways to experience the beauty of this delightful area.