Nestled in the lush surroundings of Strathpine, also known as the Valley of Pines, the Normanby Rum Distillery is a historic gem that shaped the region’s development.
In the early days, Strathpine was renowned for its timber and sugar industries. Timber milled in the area was used to construct many iconic Brisbane buildings and the region was also home to three significant sugar mills. Among them, the Normanby Rum Distillery stands out as a fascinating chapter in Strathpine’s rich history.
Normanby Rum Distillery- A Proud Part of Strathpine’s Heritage
The journey began with the Port Royal mill, established in 1873 on the banks of the South Pine River. Renamed Normanby, after the Marquess of Normanby, the Queensland Governor from 1871 to 1874, the mill started producing rum in 1875 using molasses, a by-product of the sugar refining process. When sugar cultivation declined, the distillery survived by sourcing molasses from other mills, and Normanby Rum soon gained popularity. In 1878, it was awarded a Bronze Medal at the Paris International Exposition, a testament to its quality and craftsmanship.
During its first decade, the distillery produced an average of 260 gallons (1,180 litres) of spirit weekly, and at its peak, the distillery employed 16 staff members, including seven men on the production line, women in packaging and labelling, office staff, the manager and his son.
Initially, bottling occurred on-site, but as production grew, larger casks were sent to Castlemaine Perkins and Dalgety’s for further processing and bottling. The rum was marketed under various labels, including Red Seal, Blue Jacket and Normanby, while Dalgety’s produced The Old Soldier label, a blend of 60% Normanby and 40% Beenleigh rum.
The distillery’s ownership changed several times in the early 1900s. By 1911, a branch line connected the distillery to the North Coast Railway Line, near the current Westfield Strathpine shopping centre. Rum Lane, now Dixon Street, was a bustling thoroughfare. By the late 1920s, the distillery produced over 1,100 gallons (5,000 litres) of rum daily, contributing significantly to the Commonwealth Government’s excise revenue.
The Bennett family managed the distillery from 1908 until production ceased in 1968. Today, the legacy of Normanby Rum Distillery remains a proud part of Strathpine’s heritage, a reminder of a time when the sweet aroma of rum production filled the air and shaped the local community.
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