If you ask a local, they’ll tell you the way to pronounce the first ‘a’ in Castlemaine is short and staccato, like a pouncing ‘cat’. But if you put the question to a different local, they may swear sideways that in fact the ‘a’ is longer and posher, as in ‘glass’.
Sitting pretty on Dja Dja Wurrung Country about 120 kilometres northwest of Melbourne and about 40 kilometres from Bendigo, Castlemaine boasts a thriving arts and live-music scene, and plenty of excellent pubs, restaurants and small-batch coffee pushers. With this is a growing influx of ex-Melburnians who have affectionately dubbed the former gold rush town Far-North Northcote.
One thing the residents of this cool, creative town can heartily agree on is, no matter how you say it, Castlemaine is a secondhand mecca for those who like to score a bargain, and save the planet while they’re at it.
Here’s just a handful of super secondhand stores in Castlemaine where pre-loved treasures are waiting to be discovered.
The Good Op Shop
Tucked away down Lewis Drive in a trendy nook that also houses a cafe, The Good Op Shop is a good egg, championing secondhand stuff for the sake of the environment, and driving change in the local community.
Owner Tiffany Inglis donates profits to conservation organisations like Landcare Australia and the Bob Brown Foundation.
She also tirelessly runs community projects like the annual Upcycling Award, which encourages people to create objects or artwork out of things that were destined for landfill.
The Salvage Yard
Just alongside The Good Op Shop in this small business precinct is The Salvage Yard, a place to hunt for recycled building materials, old doors, windows and coveted clinker bricks.
You could spend hours trawling through the timber, wrought iron and stone treasures in this purpose-led place.
Their ethos is to educate Australia on the benefits of working with reclaimed building materials.
Mutual Muse
Another champion of sustainability is Mutual Muse, a secondhand clothing shop offering vintage fashion lovers the chance to buy and sell quality threads.
With their other two outlets positioned in Brunswick and Northcote, as well as a new space just opened in Preston, you know this place will provide high-quality, on-trend pieces that ooze personality.
The store wears its values on its sleeve, and joyfully celebrates diversity and accessibility, so you can support a conscious business while choosing your next pre-loved outfit.
Warm Store
Thoughtful, purpose-led businesses are the go in Castlemaine, and Warm is certainly one of them.
This secondhand store on the main street presents a carefully curated selection of vintage clothing.
Their suitably warm tone invites people of all genders to explore their collection of inclusive items, with a focus on pieces from the 80s and 90s.
As well as clothing, they offer a range of secondhand homewares such as lampshades and knick-knacks.
XXXX Antique Complex
If you’re after traditional antiques and collectibles, with a dash of quirky automobilia thrown in, the labyrinthine XXXX Antique Complex is sure to impress.
Their six large showrooms, along with outside areas and a garage, house everything from genuine enamel signs, antique clocks, petrol pumps and furniture, to collectible tins, glass, oil cans and jewellery.
They also claim to offer the finest collection of Art Deco statuary in all of Australia.
Vinnies and Salvos Castlemaine
Good old St Vincent de Paul and The Salvation Army stores never fail to disappoint bargain hunters, offering everything from clothing and furniture to homewares and books.
The original secondhand saviours continue to keep prices low for shoppers, while providing frontline support and advocacy for our community’s vulnerable members.
A mere eight-minute stroll from one another, these two country town stalwarts are worth a visit when thrifting your way through this very vintage-friendly village.