THE WINE HALL index
& THE WINE CAVE
When I was a kid (in the 1970's) the cave near the junction of Steele's creek and the Maribyrnong River was known as 'Smugglers Cave' (where my friends and I played regularly) but back at the turn of the 19th century it was called the Wine Cave.
Following is some information I have found on a little known piece of our local history:
Around 1894, a man called Robert Young bought a small piece of land near Steele's creek and set up the Wine Hall with John Paul Henry Seyfarth. They sold colonial wines, aerated drinks, tea, coffee and light snacks. The cave, according to local residents, was used to store the wine.
From this photograph, dated 1907, the Wine Hall appeared to be a lovely, well built weatherboard establishment that would have been very inviting on a warm summers day.
The wharf itself was built on the Maribyrnong River bank (or Saltwater River as it was known then) and a footbridge spanned the creek and lead to the entrance of the charming old building in it's magnificent natural setting.
Photo courtesy of the State Library of Victoria (Picture Catalogue)
Shirley Jones Postcard Collection.
Sadly, there are no ruins of this building, in fact, I had no idea of its existence when I played there as a kid.
Access to the Wine Hall was via river boat cruises. Activities and excursions on the Saltwater river had become increasingly popular and by 1896 a steamer named 'Maribyrnong' was able to transport approximately twenty people and fares were a shilling each.
In 1906 even more visitors to the area were made aware of this fascinating environment when the electric tram began running from the Flemington Bridge to the Saltwater River.
Realizing what a wonderful, natural asset they had, interested citizens formed the Essendon River League and began to work on beautifying the areas around the river.
The cruises became so popular that a group of local residents formed a syndicate and operated their business using motor boats. Daniel Hicks later bought the enterprise and the 'Maribyrnong Motor Boat Co' continued to run cruises to the Wine Hall.
Hicks, obviously a very intelligent businessman, could see the potential for an expanding market. In 1909 he created the Riverview Tea Gardens a few miles upstream from the Wine Hall. This was a huge development and comprised such attractions as Tennis courts, pavilions, refreshment halls, peacocks, emus and stunning gardens.
This picturesque location became the preferred destination and the Wine Hall gradually lost its custom and respectability and gained a reputation for selling sly-grog. This may have been where the name 'Smugglers' came from. It is not clear when the Wine Hall was closed or when it was demolished.
This is a fascinating part of our local history and I would be pleased to hear from anyone with more information. Please email me at liz_innis@hotmail.com Thanks.
Click here for my story on Childhood Adventures at Smugglers Cave
References:
Madigan, J & Frost, L
1995
Maribyrnong Record: Past Images of the River
Published by the Essendon Historical Society Inc.
Printed by Ashford Press, 176 Buckley St Essendon, VIC.
Jones, C
1981
Ferries on the Yarra
Chapter 3 - 'The Other River'
Greenhouse Publications Pty Ltd
Collingwood, VIC