CRESWICK WOOLLEN MILLS

A Very Fine Yarn

Experience a slice of Victorian history at the Creswick Woollen Mills. The last of its kind, Creswick Mills is a family-owned and run business with a proud heritage of designing and manufacturing the finest natural fibre textiles since 1947.

Creswick Mills and the Mill Museum are located in the town of Creswick, about an hour and a half outside Melbourne and only 20 minutes from beautiful Ballarat. Here you’ll have the opportunity to experience the interactive exhibit entitled ‘A Very Fine Yarn’. This award-winning and educational exhibit will help you discover the history of the Mill, and shares the journey of natural fibres from source, through the production process and on to shop floor. Free self-guided tours are available all day. Then call in at The Mill Shop to experience the luxurious feel and comforting scent of our premium products.

The Mill is open from 10am to 5pm daily. From Thursday to Monday be sure to visit our Baby Animal Farm – where you can ‘meet the makers’ of some of our fine fibres – our very cute baby lambs, and baby alpacas known as cria!

The Mill Shop

After gaining insights about the manufacturing process, be sure to visit the Mill Shop to experience the luxurious softness and cosy comfort of the exquisite range of apparel, accessories, bedding, homewares and gifts.

Creswick prides itself on creating modern designs crafted from the finest natural fibres such as merino wool, possum, alpaca, cashmere, cotton and bamboo, including a range of high-quality knitwear, jackets, blankets and rugs. Explore the varied textures of goods produced from a range of natural fibres, and delight in the rich, warm scent of garments woven from the finest quality wool.

With regular new in-store arrivals, we carry a great range of gift ideas and quality souvenirs to add a warm and refined feel to your home or wardrobe. We offer gift-wrapping instore, or can deliver your purchases direct to your door.

For those who can’t get here in person, we are also proud to offer an online shop to make purchasing a breeze wherever you are. Please visit creswickwool.com to browse our comprehensive collection. You are also welcome to contact our Customer Care Team on 1800 338 837.

Snuggle up in a woollen scarf, wrap yourself in the supreme softness of an alpaca blanket, and discover for yourself a love of natural fibres at Creswick Woollen Mills.

History of the Mill

For over 75 years, Creswick Woollen Mills has built a reputation for manufacturing superior quality products and embracing innovation.

Originally established in 1947 by a post-World War Two migrant family, the Mill soon caught the attention of high-end textile merchants in Melbourne with an eye for fine fibres. They initially began purchasing the mill’s textiles for dresses and jackets. As years went on, Creswick Woollen Mills range of products evolved. While continuing to supply high-quality fabrics to fashion brands, other innovations emerged. The classic Billabong picnic blanket was created, and after many years of development, fire-retardant blankets were developed for use by the Country Fire Authority and New South Wales Rural Fire Service, proving that natural fibres were not only fashionable but also highly functional.

At the turn of the century, Creswick Woollen Mills continued its expansion, opening its doors to visitors from around the world and inviting them to experience its historical mill site.

In 2022, we celebrated our 75th anniversary- heralded as a time of new beginnings. While continuing to evolve, we maintain our commitment to exceptional quality standards and sophisticated, modern design. A commitment to doing right by the environment and our community underpin Creswick’s culture.

In demonstration of our commitment to community, we are proud to partner with leading charities to donate blankets to people experiencing homelessness. We also strive to contribute to the protection of our planet through the use of extensive solar panels, the pursuit of carbon neutral goals, and the increasing use of recycled materials to create an innovative range of upcycled options.

Through adherence to our core values and an ongoing commitment to innovation, Creswick Woollen Mills is sure to endure the test of time for many decades to come.

Accessibility

Creswick Woollen Mill is located on Railway Parade in Creswick, just 20 minutes’ drive from Ballarat. The township of Creswick is accessible by bus from Ballarat Train Station. The bus stops close to the Mill in North Creswick with a short walk to the gate.

The Mill site has been designed to be easily accessible all on one level ensuring ease of access. The mill building has a flat concrete floor, and the corridors on the mill tour are wide and easy to navigate. All displays are visual and written in both English and Mandarin, with large fonts to aid readability. Visitors can touch the wool at different stages of production, making the tour sensory. The displays are less than 1 metre tall, and broad mesh fencing allows for good views of the equipment, regardless of eye height.

The retail area is well organised, with multiple level displays. However, the change rooms are not wheelchair accessible. A cafe is located within the retail area, with ample space and movable furniture.

There is an accessible toilet with side and rear grab rails and a padded backrest available near the main entrance.

Outside, visitors can interact with lambs and alpacas in the animal feeding area, which is accessible via ramps and a concrete access path.