The Byrne’s Mill Haunting -
Queanbeyan, New South Wales.
The land on which Byrne’s Millhouse, at 58 Collett Street, Queanbeyan, New South Wales sits was originally purchased from Hughes and Hosking’s by Martin Byrne in the early 1880s. Martin Byrne was a prominent businessman and hotelier in Queanbeyan. In 1883, Byrne completed building the house and flour mill. Byrne’s son, James managed the mill and lived in the house next door. The flour mill ultimately failed due to the railway arriving and was sold in 1889. It was cheaper to bring processed flour via rail than to produce it at the mill.
James Byrne lived in the house until his wife died in 1902. The Mill was later used as storage for J.B. Young Limited, a local department store. The Mill building was abandoned until 1978 when Derek Wigley set about renovating it. A new veranda and deck were added.[1] The Mill became a restaurant during the late 1980s, and early 1990s.
Mill House, in 1983 opened as a bookshop, antique shop and tearoom opened by Mercia Kaczmarowski.[2] From 2007 until selling the mill house in 2018, the property was lived in by the Richter family.[3] Mill House was Queanbeyan Books and Prints in 2009.[4]
It has long been alleged that the Mill and Mill House are haunted. Diners at the mill often reported a ghostly presence and feelings of being watched by an unseen spectre. Restaurant owner, Lisa Mudge denied that there was a haunting in her premises, despite the numerous claims by patrons.[5]
The old Mill House is commonly listed as one of the most haunted buildings in Queanbeyan!
Researched and written by Allen Tiller © 2024
[1] Derek Wrigley, ‘1978 Conversion of Historic Byrne’s Mill, Collet St. Queanbeyan into restaurant and offices,’ Derek F Wrigley A 20th Century Designer, (2016), https://www.derekwrigley.com/architecture/1978-conversion-of-historic-byrnes-mill-collett-st-queanbeyan-into-restaurant-and-offices/index.html.
[2] 'Queanbeyan Old mill houses tearoom, restaurant and bookshop', The Canberra Times, (4 March 1984), p. 13.
[3] Stephanie Anderson, ‘Piece of Queanbeyan history up for grabs,’ The Canberra Times, (2018), https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/6170400/piece-of-queanbeyan-history-up-for-grabs/.
[4] ‘Queanbeyan,’ Sydney Morning Herald, (2009), https://www.smh.com.au/traveller/inspiration/queanbeyan-20081113-5yts.html
[5] 'No ghost, but great food', The Canberra Times, (28 December 1993), p. 17.
