A destination within itself, this uber-cool precinct, in the heart of Castlemaine, has a fascinating history, and an even more exciting future.

When local GP Ronnie Moule, and farmer Phil McConachy bought the derelict Castlemaine Woollen Mill (circa 1870’s) sprawling across approximately three hectares in 2014, they had no defined plan.

“We knew we wanted to do something that acknowledged the site and kept the industrial feel,” Phil says. “With the Botanical Gardens opposite, a coffee shop was a no brainer, so I approached the owners of Coffee Basics to see if they were interested.”

Bean to boom

Originally hailing from Vienna, Edmund Schaerf and Elna Schaef-Turner, already renowned in Castlemaine for delicious inhouse roasted coffee, were up for the challenge.

“We felt it was important to create something special, something to embrace all demographics and be accessible price wise – a legacy business that lasts beyond what is fashionable,” Edmund explains.

Drawing on their 40 years of hospitality and creative flair, after months of hard work Das Kaffeehaus opened in a ballroom sized space superbly curated with a spectacular chandelier, cosy booths, marble tables, original artwork and an authentic Viennese menu.

“We were expecting around 40 people on the first day, but by 10am we were full. In our first year over 200,000 people came through our doors.”

The aroma of roasted coffee wafting in the air, didn’t only bring customers, Das Kaffeehaus helped inspire new tenants.

“We didn’t advertise,” Phil says. “We put a notice on the board out the front and chatted to people about their ideas.”

Based on a strong ethos of everyone working together and developing an ‘us’ community the concept attracted artisans, makers, creatives and service providers from small business start-ups to relocations. By mid 2015 with food and artisan precincts evolving, a third precinct was launched – vintage.

Amid a labyrinth of wide aisles winding through a four-basketball court sized emporium crammed with an eclectic mix of goodies, Castlemaine Vintage Bazaar started drawing people near and far to fulfil the store’s promise – ‘find what you’re not looking for’. And supporting around 120 stallholders, a micro community evolved.

“I always look forward to my on-duty days,” says stallholder Deb Wiglesworth. “There’s such a positive vibe. I love seeing how amazed people who come in are by what they see.”

The pandemic factor

Although the pandemic years were challenging, it certainly didn’t dampen the spirit and creativity of The Mill community.

“We’d only just opened when the pandemic hit,” says Freya Schellhorn artisan chocolatier extraordinaire who, together with her husband Thomas Vandaele, own Cabosse & Feve Chocolates.

“The Mill and Phil were actually the reason we moved from Melbourne to Castlemaine to create our ethically sourced chocolate company. The whole idea of what’s here is really rare and incredible.” During lockdowns, the couple concentrated on brand awareness, online sales and thinking outside the ‘chocolate box’ with home deliveries.

Ivan and Julie Larcher also chose Castlemaine to pursue their dream. After packing up their lives in France and relocating their family to Australia during 2020, they started Long Paddock Cheese incorporating a cheese school.

Using the down time to set up their small factory within The Mill churning out French- style cheese with dreamy Australian names like Silver Wattle, Sundew and Driftwood, the couple started out by selling their products through a window of the business, and the local farmer’s market.

Jacqueline Brodie-Hanns and Doug Falconer owners of Shedshaker Brewing Company are no strangers to hard work. Creating small batch, handcrafted beer, and The Taproom – home of music gigs, art exhibitions, literary events and wholesome pizzas, saw the pandemic era as a chance to reset.

“People suddenly remembered they had amazing backyards to visit in the regional areas,” Jacqueline says. “This coincided with The Mill really coming into its own in terms of a destination. By the time the world opened up again, we were so busy, we were bursting at the seams.” Luckily, Phil posed a possible solution – to move into the last spot on the site.

And so began, a massive restoration of the building where the oldest wall on the property – an 1875 brick beauty that had stood the test of time. Shedshaker Brewing Company and Taproom opened its new home within the precinct, with a capacity of 300 people in November 2024.

To say it’s a triumph is an understatement. Sensitively restored through the fine craftsmanship of local builders, industrial touches like the original steel beams, brick arches and walls blend seamlessly with wood panelling and exposed rafters.

The bar is made from window shutters found on the site and the drumkit chandelier, a nod to Doug Falconer’s drumming career, is a show stopper.

The four hundred solar panels on the roof make a clear sustainability statement and with a state of the art commercial kitchen serving seasonal Italian fare, mezzanine area, comfy couches, dining nooks, outdoor seating, and a stage set for live music, concerts, community events, conventions, literary and art functions there’s plenty of flexibility.

Now and beyond

The Mill Castlemaine has flourished to be a place where tourists and locals alike come to gather, shop, dine, work out, learn a new skill, dance, paint, listen to music, get married, dream and be inspired.

The food precinct with its unique cheese, coffee and chocolate shops in addition to Oakwood Smallgoods Co where qualified Fleischer butcher, Ralf Finke prepares traditional treats; Icecream Republic for scrummy small batch flavours, Sprout Bakery a locals’ haunt, Harvest to pick up organic fruit and vegies and Boomtown Winery and Cellar Bar for house-made wines, after work drinks, long lunches and is also gaining notoriety as a go to place for wedding receptions.

Currently, more than 20,000 people visit the Vintage Bazaar each month. Exclusive businesses like handcrafted perfumery, Mimosa Botanicals, Woollykins, ethically produced wool products, Shivering Timbers and Michael Wolfe Framemaker are tucked into studios.

Artpuff, a small but mighty gallery hosts regular exhibitions; The Drying Shed Art Space houses an ever-evolving display of local artists work in studio spaces, Kiki Design runs mosaicking classes and Richard Baxter’s painting classes are legendary. Real Strength gym is mirror and lycra free, and Pilates at The Mill offers sessions for all ages and stages.

As a Castlemaine icon, with 44 tenants (and a new one coming soon), The Mill Castlemaine is at full capacity, ready for its next decade.

“It’s turned out better than I thought it would,” Phil says modestly.