Southern Highlands - Mittagong Maltings
The Mittagong Maltings is located about 120 kilometres (75 miles) southwest of Sydney on the northern outskirts of Mittagong and is adjacent to the main southern railway line. The main entrance is from the north, off the old Hume Highway. The site of 6.6 hectares (16.3 acres) straddles Nattai Creek, flowing north to Lake Burragorang.
Aerial view of the Maltings complex in 2023. Image courtesy of Google Maps.
The Maltings Group consists of major malthouse buildings on the western side of the Nattai Creek and fronting the main southern railway line. Both buildings are served by rail sidings. In addition to these dominant structures there are a number of ancillary/outbuildings which include large barley stores, sheds, a service building complex (engine rooms and pumps) and a company cottage. A light rail bridge and a pedestrian bridge provide crossing points over Nattai Creek.
The site has not been used for malting purposes and has remained largely vacant since 1980 following the fire in Malthouse 3.
History of the Maltings
The Maltings Company of NSW (Ltd) was formed in September 1898. Having selected the site at Mittagong for its suitable climate, proximity to the largest market, availability of rail transport facilities and a good water supply in the Nattai River, a single unit Malthouse was erected. It was built on conventional lines and commenced operation in August 1899. The building provided two concrete growing floors, with all necessary adjuncts, and the company operated with fair success despite difficulties in the supply of barley at this time. Tooth & Co., the Sydney brewing company, meanwhile, had decided to acquire a malting establishment for its purposes, and they purchased the Mittagong Works in 1905 and immediately set about improving and expanding the operation. Various additions were made at this time and the No.2 Malthouse was completed in 1907. When this was in production, the maltings were reported to be one of the largest in the southern hemisphere.
Malthouses 1 and 2 adjacent to the Main South railway line, Circa 1910-1920
The third malthouse was built and opened in 1916. The expansion of the maltings was concurrent with the expansion of Tooth's during this period - when they were buying and closing many of the smaller country breweries and considerably expanding their own market in NSW. These maltings supplied the malt used in Tooth & Co. breweries in Sydney, and was an important part of their operation.
The early 1940s were the Maltings' most active period, with output of malt being approx 200,000 bushells annually. This output was severely restricted following a large fire in August 1942, which completely gutted No.2 Malthouse and damaged No.1. The No.1 Malthouse was returned to service early in 1943 by constructing a temporary shell of timber and fibro inside the original brick walls, and fuller repair was made during the ensuing years. The No.2 Malthouse was completely rebuilt during the early 1950's and recommenced active operation in 1953.
Key dates in the history of the Maltings
Operation continued normally until another fire gutted the No.3 Malthouse in 1969. Tooths continued to operate at the site until 1980, when the works were closed and the site sold.
Heritage Significance
The Maltings is assessed as historically significant statewide. The Maltings is a landmark in Mittagong, well known to generations of travelers on the Hume Highway and the main southern railway line. The Maltings is significant in illustrating the pattern of development in the brewing industry of NSW and of industrial development in Mittagong in many ways. The Maltings is also important in demonstrating a high degree of creative and technical achievement through its technical, architectural and aesthetic attributes.