Today we stepped into a place that didn’t feel like Melbourne at all.

Perched on the beautiful hillside of Eltham is Montsalvat — Australia’s oldest continuous artist community.

Built in 1934 by Justus Jorgensen, this little village is pieced together with clay, stone, and remnants of Australia’s architectural heritage.

But as we wandered through the winding paths and rustic buildings, we could have easily believed we’d stumbled upon a village in the south of France.

Montsalvat isn’t just one thing — it’s a blend of so many.

A walk through its five hectares feels like uncovering layers of art, history, and nature all at once.

One minute you’re gazing up at the Gothic Revival architecture of the Bluestone Chapel.

The next, you’re standing in a sunlit garden.

Then suddenly, you’re peeking into a studio where artists have worked with wood, clay, stone, charcoal, ink, paint, metal, and marble.

This is a place where art isn’t only displayed — it’s made, taught, and shared.

What struck me most was the sheer variety.

Every corner at Montsalvat seemed to reveal a new surprise.

One turn would draw us into a quiet courtyard, where time seemed to slow.

Another would lead us past a tranquil pool, its still surface reflecting the world around it.

The next would open into a gallery brimming with creativity.

Even the stables carried their own sense of wonder, with resident animals and the proud Montsalvat peacocks strutting about as though the place belonged to them.

It’s the kind of place where you never know what’s waiting just around the bend, but you know it will be worth stopping for.

And then, there was the wisteria.

Each spring, Montsalvat’s Poolside Terrace is completely transformed by a breathtaking cascade of purple blooms.

These vines were planted more than 80 years ago beside the Long Gallery.

They only flower for two or three short weeks each year.

We timed it just right.

Standing beneath that violet canopy felt like being part of a living artwork.

The moment was fleeting and fragile.

And it was achingly beautiful.

Montsalvat is a photographer’s paradise.

It is also a sanctuary for dreamers, where imagination feels at home.

Wanderers will find endless corners to explore, each one whispering its own story.

And for anyone who longs to be surrounded by beauty, Montsalvat opens its arms.

It’s where past and present coexist.

Old stones stand alongside new ideas.

Around them, lush gardens gently embrace the quiet studios where creativity continues to bloom.

History and inspiration live here, side by side.

Walking away, I couldn’t help but feel grateful that places like Montsalvat exist so close to home.

It’s not just an artist’s village.

It is a reminder that creativity is timeless.

Beauty often lingers in the details we pause to notice.

And perhaps the greatest gift of places like Montsalvat is their quiet invitation to pause and linger.

In that stillness, we discover how to see the world with fresh, wonder-filled eyes.

Our travels today: