THE GREAT AUSSIE BEER SHED AND HERITAGE FARM MUSEUM ECHUCA

THE GREAT AUSSIE BEER SHED AND HERITAGE FARM MUSEUM ECHUCA

Australia is known for its incredible landscape and natural beauty, as well as the friendly people and love of beer. A visit to The Great Aussie Beer Shed and Heritage Farm Museum combines all three of these things, leaving visitors and guests a little happier when they leave then when they arrived.

Neil Thomas opened the doors to his incredible collections in 2003 to guests and visitors. He gains great pleasure in showing off his 20,000 plus beer cans from Australia and all over the world as well as his range of tap tops, handles, barrels, bottles, signs, brewery manufacturing equipment and machinery. Taking in all the different items can be quite overwhelming but Neil is always around to share what information he has on the different items while entertaining guests with his sense of humour and Aussie hospitality.

The 5000 sq. ft shed, also houses Aussie products, brand names and machinery like old petrol Bowsers, washing machines, a Coca Cola Collection, kitchen and laundry items and even a partially restored WW1 canon. As Neil’s passion and enthusiasm grew so did the collection and the items he acquired. In 2012 Neil completed the New Heritage Farm Museum which has old farming equipment from the late 1800’s including almost an entire range of Furphy farm water carts. A new part of the museum was opened in September 2017 which is known as the beer stein and horse drawn carriage museum with approximately 4000 beer steins on display. The carriages include an 1890 Dabb and Co Royal Mail Coach,1920 Milk cart,1920 Butchers Cart,1930 Bread Cart,1895 Station Buggy built locally in Rochester,1900 Taxicab from Melbourne and a gentleman’s Sulky built in Grafton in 1905. All are in fantastic condition and most are fully restored.

The collections are always expanding and in May 2018, another section of the museum opened and has an impressive collection of old vintage classic cars. This impressive collection attracts enthusiasts from far and wide and takes visitors back in time.

The Great Aussie Beer Shed and Heritage Farm Museum can also cater for functions in their unique Heritage Function Centre which is full of personality with many visible talking points. It comfortably seats 100 people and has a dance floor for guests to let loose and enjoy a relaxed celebratory vibe. The Heritage Function Centre is the perfect setting for weddings, Christmas parties, birthdays or any other celebration.

Neil and his wife Andrea welcome guests from all over and guarantee a personalised tour of the museum that will not only educate but entertain the whole family. Their passion for great customer service has been awarded with the museum taking out the 2015 Regional Achievement and Community Award for customer service. Neil and Andrea look forward to the future and relish the opportunity to safeguard Australia’s heritage and to celebrate their collections with their guests. The museum opens 9:30am - 5pm weekends, public holidays and school holidays or by appointment at all other times. You can find The Great Aussie Beer Shed and Heritage Farm online or call (03) 5480 6904.