The installation consisted of a 15hp steam engine, a 30cwt (1.5 tonne) compressor, and a cream cooling plant, and in its first week of operation, produced 15cwt (3/4 tonne) of butter.

Although at the time there was also a co-operative factory at Raleigh, and a creamery at Fernmount, the Bellingen factory benefited from the rapid growth of dairying in the valley, and it became necessary to up-grade the plant and equipment within two years of opening.

In 1919, a bacon factory was added to the complex, which was to become a vital income producer over the next 40 years.

In the early 20’s a government statute decreed that all weatherboard butter factories were to be replaced with brick or concrete structures.

Construction of Bellingen’s new factory, ‘one of the finest in the state’ began in May 1926, and was completed in July 1927 at a cost of 9,229 pounds.

Richard Wildridge of Sydney “one of the foremost consulting engineers in the Commonwealth,” and Sydney builders Thackray & Gallagher, created “the last word in modern factories”, using reinforced concrete for the walls, and unique concrete arch beams in the roof.

The new factory continued to play a dominant role in the economy of the valley until the late 1940’s when the operators felt it necessary to introduce milk processing, to compete with the UK firm of Cow & gate who had purchased the Raleigh factory.

This move was not a great success however, as the Bellingen factory had been set up primarily for butter production.

After the disastrous 1950 flood, Cow & Gate sold the Raleigh factory to The Central Dairy Society, and In 1960 it was decided to combine the two operations, and centralise the valley’s dairy production at the Raleigh factory.

Butter production finally ceased on this site in 1963, and the old factory stood unused until the early 1970’s, when it was used for machinery storage.

In 1975 the main factory was converted to a private home, and then in 1985, the whole complex was privately purchased and developed into a craft and tourist complex, which opened in 1991.

On into its second century, Bellingen’s Old Butter Factory still resonates to the sounds of industry and creative enterprise. The building is currently being used as the Tumut Visitor

A commemorative plaque was unveiled on Sunday 1^st October 2006 to mark the Butter Factory’s 100th anniversary.

Located in the Old Butter Factory on the corner of the Snowy Mountains Highway and the Gundagai Road, Tumut is the Tumut Region Visitors centre. The Centre supplies a wide range of information on the Tumut Region and northern Kosciuszko National Park. Regional display area show casing what’s to see and do, shop stocking maps books, souvenirs and quality gifts. Wheelchair access is provided so come discover and experience all there is to see and do in our high country wonderland.

Phone: (02) 6947 7025

For more information go to: www.visittumut.com.au