Castlemaine Brewery, historic site in New South Wales, Australia
The Castlemaine Brewery is an industrial building in Newcastle that was constructed in the 1870s and operated for beer production and distribution. It features sturdy brick construction with a distinctive central tower for ventilation, flanking wings containing malting and storage areas, and later additions including a modern bottling plant built in the early 1900s.
The brewery was designed by architect Oswald Lewis and opened in 1876 after two years of construction. It became one of Australia's major producers before economic struggles and the Great Depression forced closure of beer production in the 1930s, after which the site served for distribution purposes.
The brewery was a central part of local community life and economy for over a century. Workers and their families depended on the site, which shaped daily routines and social connections throughout Newcastle.
The site is located on Hunter Street in central Newcastle and is easily visible as a landmark. Visitors can access the heritage buildings either as part of a museum tour or when staying at the serviced apartments, allowing exploration of the historic spaces.
The brewery had a dedicated well on the site that supplied water essential for quality beer production. This natural water source on the property gave the operation a significant advantage and contributed to the brewery's reputation as one of Australia's finest producers.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.