Whipped into shape ... exposed brickwork, polished floors and historic gardens give the Euroa Butter Factory a Tuscan feel.Credit: Sheriden Rhodes
We're having a glass of local chardonnay in what was once the old milk delivery room of the historic Euroa Butter Factory. Underfoot is a solid flagstone floor while the original loading door now overlooks a pretty Mediterranean-style garden, which tonight has been transformed into an outdoor cinema.
Locals have rolled up, bought their tickets and are sitting outside on deck chairs in the fading light waiting for the screening of the 1964 James Bond classic Gold Finger.
Our hosts Rebecca and Russell Griffin are former South Australians, who bought the butter factory four years ago and have given it a new lease of life as luxury warehouse-style accommodation. They're passionate about this wonderful robust building and surrounding region, renowned for its fresh produce and some of Victoria's best boutique wineries, and hope to see increasing numbers of visitors from both Sydney and Melbourne.
The couple, who have two young children, missed the opportunity of buying the factory in 2004 when the auction was scheduled the day after their wedding. But as fate would have it, the property was passed in and they sealed the deal on Christmas Eve.
"We liked the fact that the region had some terrific wineries, while Euroa is a pretty little town with historic buildings, friendly locals and some boutique shops," says Rebecca. "But what really sold it for us was it's just 90 minutes from Melbourne. We thought people are eventually going to get sick of visiting Daylesford and the same old places and Euroa has the potential of becoming the next thing."
It's not hard to imagine this place in its heyday when it used to produce some of the world's best-quality butter sold as the Shield brand. The current Euroa Butter Factory building was completed in 1901 after the original building was destroyed by fire. The majestic chimney stands as a proud reminder of the building's steam-driven past, while the original slate foundations and brick walls, some nearly three quarters of a metre wide, are a testament to another era and would certainly have their fair share of stories to tell of its colourful past.
At its peak, the factory was one of the biggest employers in the area and is said to have put Euroa on the map. Downstairs where guests have breakfast, there's a terrific old photograph of the factory in its prime. Several horse-drawn carts appear to be lined up - either dropping off milk for production or collecting the finished product for transportation to Melbourne by train and onward for export to countries including Singapore, Hong Kong, South Africa and England.
After production of butter ceased in 1951, the building was used for the commercial production of ice. But when refrigerators became the norm, production stopped and a long period of decline followed for this once-dignified building.
"When we first saw it there was dirt on the floors, pigeons flying in and out, no gardens, no doors and windows downstairs and no staircase. But the building had something about it. It felt almost Tuscan with the tumbling down bricks overlooking the surrounding countryside. Family and friends thought we were mad but we're very proud of what we've achieved," Rebecca says.
And so they should be. The transformation is remarkable. The five guest rooms, all with ensuites, are located upstairs where high-shine polished floorboards are a perfect backdrop for the mix of antique and contemporary furnishings.
There's a huge lounge and dining room with a long table, which seats 16, exposed brickwork, chandeliers, antique sideboards and comfy old leather lounges. The beds are all queen size with luxurious linen and fluffy towels, air-conditioning and interesting artwork.
Downstairs there's an eye-catching, marble-top bar, flagstone floors, black and white photographs and a huge picture window in what was once the original receiving door.
The historic garden has several brick-paved courtyards and huge tree-lined lawn.
We walk into town one night along the Goulburn River to dine at the Pickled Olive, having a beer first at the friendly pub next door. The next day we visit the Ruffy Produce Store. It's eerily quiet given the store usually serves 150 for breakfast and owner Helen puts it down to the recent fires. The upside is we have the warm, hospitable host practically all to ourselves. Afterwards we visit the historic Tahbilk Winery for a cruise on its tranquil wetlands and wine tastings.
Back ensconced inside the thick walls of the Euroa Butter Factory, a cold glass of wine awaits and we peer out at one of those magical, inky, star-studded nights that you only seem to get in the country. You can almost feel this mighty building, its handsome features now restored, puffing its chest out with pride - glad once again to be of service.
Rooms at the Euroa Butter Factory start from $160 midweek and include complimentary mineral water and afternoon tea. Phone 5795 1408, 0412 438 649 or see euroabutterfactory.com.au. The Ruffy Produce Store is open weekends for breakfast and lunch. Phone 5790 4387 or see ruffy.com.au. Tahbilk Winery, see tahbilk.com.au.
The writer was a guest of Strathbogie Shire Council.
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