Plan your visit ›
Plan your visit. Hours, access, what to expect.
A small hub on a working high street. Open most days, but the river decides — some Sundays we open late so the volunteer roster can walk it first.
Opening hours
Open most days, closed on the days the river says so.
Year-round, with two seasonal shifts — earlier-close in winter, late-Sunday hours in summer for the river sessions.
| Monday | 10am – 4pm | Quietest day |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday | Closed | Volunteer day · working bees |
| Wednesday | 10am – 4pm | |
| Thursday | 10am – 5pm | Today |
| Friday | 10am – 5pm | Café open till close |
| Saturday | 9am – 5pm | |
| Sunday | 9am – 4pm | Late till 7pm in summer |
Public holidays · Open on most. Closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day, ANZAC morning. Open Good Friday, with reduced shift.
Winter hours · From 1 June to 31 August we close at 4pm Thursday – Sunday. Café still on; kettle still on.
Group visits · School and bus groups please book a slot — we like to have a volunteer free for you.
What you’ll find inside
It’s smaller than you think, and busier than it looks.
The Hub is one room and a courtyard, plus the wheel itself. Plan on forty-five minutes if you’re passing through, two hours if you want to read every label.
The shop
Sixty-odd handmakers, one room.
Ceramics, paintings, prints, linen, paper, preserves. Everything is made within a 30-minute drive of the building, and prices are set by the maker — not by us.
The wheel
The wheel itself, still turning.
Restored in 2022, fed from the leat behind the building. A volunteer is usually on hand to explain. It runs from 11am to 3pm; rests on Tuesdays.
The kettle
The kettle, the courtyard, the chat.
Filter coffee, scones, soup in winter. Run by volunteers, paid for on an honesty box. Sit a while — most visitors do.
Accessibility
Welcoming for as many bodies as we can.
A heritage building with the limits that come with one — but most of the Hub is on the level, and we’ll meet you at the gate if you tell us you’re coming.
Yes ›
Step-free entry
Front door, shop floor, courtyard, accessible WC. The wheel pit is a single step down — viewable without descending.
Yes ›
Large-print labels
Shop and exhibition labels in 18pt minimum. Exhibition guide available in 24pt and Easy Read.
Yes ›
Companion Card accepted
Free entry to ticketed events for support persons. Quiet hour first Tuesday of the month, 10–11am.
Yes ›
Assistance dogs welcome
Water bowl by the front door. We ask all other dogs stay in the courtyard.
Heads up ›
Some uneven floors
The 1898 brick floor in the wheel room is uneven. We can offer a tablet view of the wheel from the shop if needed.
Heads up ›
No on-site parking
Two accessible bays on Yuonga Road, 60m away. Drop-off at the front door is fine — please tell us if you’d like a chair brought out.
Practical questions
The things people ask at the front desk.
[DRAFT-REAL] How long should I plan?
Forty-five minutes to wander the shop, see the wheel, drink a tea. Two hours if you also want a redwood walk or to read every label. A weekend if you’ve come for an event — there’s plenty within walking distance.
[DRAFT-REAL] Is there a café? Do I need to book?
A volunteer-run kettle counter — coffee, scones, winter soup. No bookings, walk in. For a proper meal try Three Sugars (across the road) or Cog’s (300m east).
[DRAFT-REAL] Are dogs welcome?
In the courtyard yes, on lead. Not inside the shop, except assistance dogs. Water bowl by the front door.
[DRAFT-REAL] Are kids welcome?
Always. We keep a small basket of activity sheets and beeswax crayons by the desk. School holidays we run a Wednesday morning making session — free, drop-in.
[DRAFT-REAL] Can I take photos?
Yes for personal use. We ask you not photograph other visitors without asking. For commercial / press shoots please contact the comms group first.
[DRAFT-REAL] Do you have wi-fi?
Yes — waterwheel-guest, no password, please be reasonable. Mobile coverage is patchy on Telstra and weak on the others; we have a landline at the desk if you need to make a call.
Address
3409 Warburton Hwy
Warburton VIC 3799
Front desk
03 5966 ____
During open hours · voicemail otherwise