The site of the current building was originally a ‘sly grog’ tent on the main track from Melbourne into Forest Creek (the original name of Castlemaine). It is believed to have been set up in 1851 and was quickly replaced by a more substantial (and respectable) slab bark hut that was replaced within 18 months by an entrepreneur with larger horizons.

The present building was constructed in stages between 1854 and 1858 as a corner hotel, named McMahon’s Commercial Hotel, with three separate shops and living accommodation built above. It was originally known as Butterworth’s building, as Mr Butterworth was a local personality, investor and councilor who also has a street named after him.

In the 1890s a recession hit the area as the initial gold mining activity ebbed away, and the shops were gradually absorbed into an expansion of the hotel that by 1900 finally occupied the whole ground floor. Subsequent alterations to the first floor incorporated the rooms as part of the accommodation the hotel offered. The hotel became known as the Commercial and traded until 2015.

It was built in classic Victorian style with high ceilings, substantial thick double-brick walls and solid timber floors. The building has remained in good condition, helped undoubtedly by the relatively dry climate of this area.

The present owners are re-visioning the whole site in a concept that combines residential occupation with complimentary ground floor commercial amenities. The completed ground floor rebuilding now contains four separate businesses comprising a corner restaurant, a separate wine bar, a bookshop and recycled clothing and homewares store.

The five new units

(Building commences February 2017)
This next stage will comprise the building of five residential units on three split levels over the existing ground floor, with all units incorporating a small extension at the rear. A final stage will be built after 2019 on the site of the exiting drive-in bottle shop and will include two more residential units and two ground-floor commercial units.

The five units will preserve the classic features of the Victorian era, including the high ceilings, elegant two metre tall sash windows and well proportioned spaces. Extra space will be created by extending at the rear of the existing building on two levels that will include an entry porch on the first floor and a master bedroom on the second floor. Each unit has a balcony or patio looking east, and the corner unit has a rooftop sundeck with views south west over the local park.

Final Stage
The current owners intend to build a final stage containing two more residential apartments and ground floor commercial premises on three levels, commencing in 2019. The building will be sited on the current bottle shop, which will be removed. A courtyard will be created between the two buildings to provide a place of privacy and relaxation.

This last stage completes the complex designed for this prominent corner and will add to the visual attraction of the town and this high-profile intersection.

Castlemaine may be a picturesque, relaxed, rural setting, but this 19th Century gold rush boom town is also now a major regional centre teeming with creativity and inspiration.

The area is home to over 400 practising artists, a thriving live musical scene, markets, festivals (including Australia’s most renowned regional Arts Festival), circuses, local artisans, dance, theatre, street performances … we could go on.

Castlemaine State Festival

Every other year in autumn the town transforms for ten days into a mecca for artists, performers and spectators as people flock from all over Victoria to get their fill of all things creative at the State Festival.

The Festival boasts work from the area’s finest visual and performing artists together with that of national and international artists. You name it, the Festival has it: music / dance / theatre / opera / storytelling /film /music /visual arts /performance/ circus / children’s events.

Running since 1976, the Festival enjoys the support and involvement of the entire community, from local schools, sporting groups and hot rod enthusiasts, to gardeners, musicians, artists, artisans and designers.

The Festival incorporates an open studios and exhibitions program, through which local visual artists, collectives and galleries promote their work to festival audiences.

Castlemaine Fringe Festival

Like its big cousin Melbourne, Castlemaine also has its own Fringe Festival, usually running a week out from the State Festival. The artist-run Fringe showcases a wide cross-section of mainly local artists, musicians and performers. Any creative fix you can’t get in the State Festival is catered for here and then some.

Vibrant and eclectic music scene

Some Castlemaine locals only half-joke that if you’re not an artist or artisan then you must be a musician. On any given weekend you will hear the sounds of local, city and even international acts wafting out onto the street from the numerous hotels in a town where the live music scene is alive and well. Or catch an open mic night midweek. And check your calendar for the Castlemaine Jazz Festival, Newstead Live or the Maldon Folk Festival.

The Theatre Royal

Speaking of music, the town’s cinema, the beautifully preserved Theatre Royal, doubles as a live performance venue, with regular appearances by local and Melbourne bands plus DJs bringing in the crowds as city folk mix with locals on the dance floor. The Theatre shows a variety of mainstream and arthouse films on other nights, but is also just a bubbling, centrally located place to sit and chat in the sun over coffee and cake at any time of day.

Markets galore

On Saturdays try the Wesley Hill market a minute’s drive from the centre of town if you’re after some local produce, plants, vintage clothing, pre-loved tools and other treasures. Or hop in the car and make the leisurely drive to Maldon for its own monthly market. The first Sunday of every month also brings the extremely popular Castlemaine Artists and Farmers markets, both showcasing the best of what locals have to offer.

Community events

And don’t forget the steam train, Harcourt Applefest, Rotary Truck Show, Chopped car and music weekend, Buda Historic Home and Garden, and Village Festival.

Galleries, theatres and museums

Catch the superb displays of heritage and contemporary artworks by Australian and overseas artists in the Castlemaine Art Gallery and Historical Museum, which also houses a wonderful collection of artefacts from the gold rush times and beyond and a mountain of stories to go with them.

Eating, drinking and being merry

Castlemaine is brimming with a crowd of cafes, microbreweries, cideries, restaurants, delis and tearooms to cater for all tastes and budgets.

Seriously, there is so much to do in this town you will wonder what all the fuss is about Melbourne culture and nightlife. And you may even find yourself considering a tree change to arguably Australia’s most culturally alive and diverse region.

I moved to Castlemaine in 2009 and it’s the smartest decision I have ever made.

I chose this town because of its proximity to Melbourne and the convenience of having a direct train route to the city, thinking that I didn’t want to lose my connection to the possibilities for work, culture and an expansive social life down there. But the truth is, I rarely go to Melbourne.

Everything you need, apart from the odd international festival or concert or very specialised service, is actually here. And if you want to go see Bruce Springsteen or that acclaimed new play, you drive or catch the train down to the ‘big smoke’ and you see it. It’s not far.

The thing is, it’s quiet in Castlemaine. By that I don’t mean nothing happens, but the lack of cars and trucks and trams means there is generally far less noise in the background to your daily interactions. You can think more clearly, with more time and less distractions rushing past your eyes and ears. And people look you in the eye when you walk past them on the street, always acknowledge you and say ‘hello’ – even if you don’t really know them. You are joined in some way to every person in this town, however distantly, and have many connections, or even relationships, with locals. Walk into the supermarket to buy some groceries and you inevitably meet several people you are at least acquainted with; chat in the queue; give a nod over there to another couple of folk you know while you chat about the weather or some Castlemaine event or news with the person at the checkout.

Do you need help fixing a fence, moving something, someone to mind your dog while you’re at work? You find it here easily. Ask, and people will willingly give you their time, space and advice.

Friends aren’t necessarily easier to make in this town – it’s Australia, after all, and people are still quite shy beyond initial introductions. It may take you a little time to get invited to parties, asked to dinners or social events. But once you do make friends, they are yours forever – and they share with you their own knowledge of what Castlemaine is, beyond the newspaper weekend supplement articles. Intimate local knowledge of the best swimming holes and walking tracks, who are the most reliable tradespeople, the more interesting activities for kids, any upcoming Castlemaine collaborative social activities becomes yours too.

Eventually, you become a ‘local’ too and you belong. It’s a wonderful feeling.

BD

Situated on traditional Dja Dja Wurrung country and steeped in a rich history, Castlemaine is a welcoming, diverse town with a wonderful blend of community, creativity and natural beauty.

Reasons for a move to this far-from-typical rural centre are endless: the arts and musical culture, the proximity to Melbourne, the beautiful big skies, the friendliness of the people, the locally produced food and wine, the business opportunities … on and on the virtues of this unique-yet-recognisable setting extend.

CASTLEMAINE FEATURES

• Former gold mining town set amongst sprawling hills, the town boasts numerous 19th century heritage buildings, wide streets, European-style gardens, waterways and bushlands.
• Numerous cafés, restaurants, markets, vintage and collectable shops, boutique breweries/cideries.
• Diverse group of local producers employs sustainable and ethical practices, with much free range & organic produce available.
• Renowned bi-annual 10-day Castlemaine Arts Festival introduces many visitors plus overseas artists and musicians to the town.
• Local regional Art Gallery and Historical Museum, dynamic theatre company.
• Hundreds of artists and craftspeople displaying their work in their own galleries and workshops.
• National parks, cycling and walking tracks, picturesque landscapes.
• Surrounded by several historic satellite towns with plenty of unique attractions.