New South Wales · Attraction
Old Butter Factory
Heritage precinct of artisans and galleries
schedule 1 min read / Updated Jun 2026
The Old Butter Factory is a cluster of heritage industrial buildings from 1906, converted into an arts and crafts precinct on the edge of Bellingen's town centre. Visitors can wander freely through studios and galleries, watch craftspeople at work, and browse rooms filled with handmade jewellery, woodwork, leather goods, ceramics and furniture.
The precinct contains several distinct spaces including the Nexus Community Gallery, the Silver Mill handmade jewellery studio, the Woodcraft Gallery and Cargo Lane with furniture and homewares, plus a mini emporium focused on Asian antiques and artefacts. Old farm machinery and vehicles are dotted through the lush grounds between buildings, reinforcing the site's pastoral history. The on-site cafe operates daily from 8am to 3pm and serves breakfast and lunch, making it a popular stop regardless of whether visitors are shopping or not.
The site hosts events and weddings throughout the year, and the grounds and galleries are free to explore at leisure. The conversion of a working butter factory into a creative precinct is itself a story of Bellingen's transformation from a dairying community to a centre for arts and alternative culture, and interpretive signage on the site explains that history. The complex sits about five minutes' walk from the main street along the Bellinger River foreshore.
Where to stay
Holiday parks near Old Butter Factory.
2 options via our booking partner
Bellinger River Tourist Park
10.8km away
Valla Beach Holiday Park
19.3km away
Bookings handled by our partner Parkbooker. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Scenic views
