CSR Refinery, Yarraville

CSR Refinery is a sugar processing facility in Yarraville with structures spanning three distinct periods, including a five-storey pan house overlooking the sugar wharf on the Maribyrnong River. The complex uses bluestone and brick construction to process raw sugar into finished products for distribution.

The Colonial Sugar Refining Company established this facility in 1872 to process raw sugar locally due to concerns about sea transportation of refined goods. The company chose this riverside location to simplify logistics and control production quality.

The industrial site shaped the neighborhood as a working community tied to sugar processing, and locals recognize the refinery as a landmark that defined the area's identity.

The facility sits directly on the river with clear visibility from the street, making it easy to view the exterior and understand the scale of operations. Visitors should check ahead about access options, as parts of the site may have restricted areas.

The Golden Syrup and Treacle Packing House from the 1880s houses an original CSR-designed filling machine that demonstrates how early manufacturers automated the packing process. This machine represents an overlooked piece of industrial progress that few visitors notice.