Flashback to May 1921. It’s a crisp evening in the heart of Goulburn. The streets hum with quiet sophistication. Men in top hats stroll with women draped in elegance, dressed to the nines. The town is alive with pride, purpose, and a sense of occasion.
Fast forward to May 2024. I found myself wandering into the Goulburn Tourist Information Centre, chasing a thread of that old-world charm. The man behind the counter, generous with his time and stories, shared just the kind of historical insight I was looking for.
One place, in particular, caught my attention: the Old Mill Tavern, a charming mock Tudor building nestled beside a green park. Its windows now dark, a 'for sale' sign hanging on the door, it was clear the tavern had seen better days.
Peering through the glass, I felt someone behind me. It turned out to be the current owner—or rather, the seller—who caught me in my moment of curiosity. Instead of shooing me off, he kindly invited me in. We stepped through the quiet, echoing halls of what was once a thriving gathering place for Goulburn’s social and business elite. Movers, shakers, bikie gangs (allegedly), and international tour groups had all passed through its doors. Even corporate guilds from across the region once considered it a must-stop destination.
Yes—Goulburn used to be a place people went to. On purpose.
But like so many businesses in 2020, the Old Mill Tavern didn’t survive the pandemic. Lockdowns, travel restrictions, and the sudden evaporation of bookings hit hard. The regular rhythm of visitors disappeared overnight, and with it, a piece of Goulburn’s spirit.
And yet, standing in that empty building, surrounded by history and potential, I couldn’t help but think: Goulburn could be the Baby England of the Southern Hemisphere. The architecture, the history, the setting—why not?
It’s all still here. Waiting.
