Panton Hill: Remembrance, Bushland and Wine

Panton Hill brings together local history, bushland and wine culture in different ways. Firefighters Memorial Park remembers the firefighters of Ash Wednesday; the Panton Hill Bushland Reserve System extends beyond Panton Hill into the areas of Smiths Gully and Watsons Creek. Tastings and a dedicated menu are the focus at Panton Hill Vineyard and Winery. When planning a trip, you can weigh up remembrance, nature activities and regional food and wine.

A memorial site with park facilities

Located in the town centre, Panton Hill Firefighters Memorial Park remembers the firefighters who battled the Ash Wednesday fires in February 1983 and commemorates five Panton Hill firefighters who lost their lives that day. The park has a playground, a covered barbecue area, a covered stage area and toilets. For families planning a visit with children, the playground is a practical detail; the covered areas and toilets add to the park’s facilities. If a particular facility is essential to your visit, check its condition on site.

Bushland, activities and cultural context

The Panton Hill Bushland Reserve System comprises seven community-managed bushland reserves in the areas of Panton Hill, Smiths Gully and Watsons Creek. The system covers about 140 hectares in total. The reserves are used for bushwalking, birdwatching, horse riding and mountain biking. The options range from observing nature to more active pursuits, with bushwalking another possibility.

At Bunjil Reserve, the Wurundjeri continue their connection to Country through cultural practices such as cultural burning, growing murnong, dance and ceremonies, toolmaking and building shelters. Traces of these practices may be visible along the track through the reserve.

Wine tasting and the menu

At Panton Hill Vineyard and Winery, visitors can taste a wide selection of estate-grown organic wines: dry, sweet, sparkling and fortified wines. Tastings are a focus in their own right, alongside the food: homemade pizza and marinated olives are among the menu’s specialties. As the menu may change, it is a good idea to check the current offering. Contact the operator to ask about current arrangements for tastings.

Nillumbik Shire as a wider travel horizon

Across the wider destination of Nillumbik Shire, towns lie between bushland and scenic hills. The shire has an extensive network of trails for walking, horse riding and cycling. Also in Nillumbik Shire, the Hurstbridge Heritage Trail passes 30 historically significant sites, whose history spans from early settlement to the mid-20th century.

In the wider destination of Nillumbik Shire, Montsalvat is an arts centre and artists’ community founded in 1934. Its 12-acre site includes more than 34 buildings: three galleries, 19 studios, a ceramics centre and concert venues. It also offers exhibitions, studio programs and ceramics classes. For visitors looking to include cultural experiences in their trip, Montsalvat offers a different focus from Panton Hill’s memorial site and bushland.

This choice helps focus your search on the experiences you prioritise.

Discover more destinations: Pakenham, Mirboo North, Sea Lake, Avoca, Heyfield, Hamilton, Marysville, Durham Lead

For the wider travel overview: Victoria.