History
The Cabbage Tree Creek township was originally established to support the booming timber industry of the mid 20th century. Five timber mills worked full time supporting the families that were drawn to the area's wealth of natural resources.
Nestled on the banks of the Cabbage Tree Creek, the township was built by those mills to house their workers. Today although the timber mills have disappeared, some of the buildings still remind us of their previous existence. The "Cook House" and "Manager's House" are two such buildings. The Cook House was built to supply meals to the workers of the Alstergren Mill. Some of the original interior walls were made from hessian and wallpaper. The few houses to survive to today are now used as private dwellings.
Little now remains to remind us of the saw-milling history beyond photographs and a handful of relics - a boiler and a brick furnace. There was also a thriving agricultural community farming dairy, beef, seed beans and fresh peas and beans that were sent to the Victoria Market in Melbourne. Dairy farming still plays an essential role in the township.
Since the closure of the mills, the town has become a lovely, peaceful village in the extraordinary and beautiful East Gippsland Wilderness precinct. Under the current Planning Scheme, although the area presently zoned 'Township' is actually quite small, there have been two new houses built in the last year or so and a number of others are presently being renovated; a clear sign of renewing confidence in the future of the area.
Nestled on the banks of the Cabbage Tree Creek, the township was built by those mills to house their workers. Today although the timber mills have disappeared, some of the buildings still remind us of their previous existence. The "Cook House" and "Manager's House" are two such buildings. The Cook House was built to supply meals to the workers of the Alstergren Mill. Some of the original interior walls were made from hessian and wallpaper. The few houses to survive to today are now used as private dwellings.
Little now remains to remind us of the saw-milling history beyond photographs and a handful of relics - a boiler and a brick furnace. There was also a thriving agricultural community farming dairy, beef, seed beans and fresh peas and beans that were sent to the Victoria Market in Melbourne. Dairy farming still plays an essential role in the township.
Since the closure of the mills, the town has become a lovely, peaceful village in the extraordinary and beautiful East Gippsland Wilderness precinct. Under the current Planning Scheme, although the area presently zoned 'Township' is actually quite small, there have been two new houses built in the last year or so and a number of others are presently being renovated; a clear sign of renewing confidence in the future of the area.
Historical photos of Cabbage Tree Creek and saw mill operations. (Courtesy of Ken & Glynis Swan) Click to enlarge
Historical photos of Cabbage Tree Creek saw mill operations. Click to enlarge
