Plans for a new boutique distillery and bar inside a repurposed roof truss factory could mean major changes for one of Cairns’ most recognisable commercial buildings. See what’s planned.
Narrow Tracks Distilling owners Doug Thorpe and Bec Zammit have some exciting news about their new location. VIDEO: Brendan Radke – Cairns Post
Narrow Tracks Distilling has announced plans to expand operations by converting the old sawmill building on Magazine St into an industrial-themed bar with a distillery attached.
A huge 500sq/m section of floor area has been repurposed for new use following a discontinuation of timber roof truss manufacture by Rankine Timber and Trusses.
Narrow Tracks Distilling owners Doug Thorpe and Bec Zammit are moving their Stratford distillery into a much larger premise at the distinctive Rankine Timber warehouse on Magazine Street. Picture: Brendan Radke
The landmark Stratford building was established in the late 1957, however milling operations at the site date back to the founding of Cairns when freight travelled up the Barron River to be loaded at a jetty that’s now the site of the old highway bridge and fishing platform.
The newly created section within the warehouse fronting Magazine St has been leased to Narrow Tracks Distilling owners Doug Thorpe and Bec Zammit.
The growing business that began trading in 2021 will relocate from Industrial Av into a hip new industrial space set up as a modem bar and distillery but expected to maintain the classic charm of the rustic old sawmill building.
The couple plan to open a bar to compliment the increase in production at the new site. Picture: Brendan Radke
According to the impact assessable change of use request lodged with Cairns Regional Council, proposed new use of the site is “well separated” from the heritage-listed magazine building that gave Magazine St its name.
Mr Thorpe and Ms Zammit have been busy fitting out the new space on Magazine St to bring their vision to life
“The main part of the business is the distillery production, that’s going to take up the bulk of the space and then the bar is a way that we can promote our product,” Mr Thorpe said.
“And eventually we will be able to do tours and walk people through and teach them about what we do and how we do it.”
Mr Thorpe, an aircraft engineer by trade, created Narrow Tracks with his partner Ms Zammit as a side hustle after being laid off during the pandemic.
A local success story, the business has broken into the big time to now stock two products in Dan Murphy’s and BWS outlets from Port Douglas to Townsville.
Ms Zammit said it was an exciting time for the growing business.
“We will make a nice cosy corner and put in some chesterfield lounges and keep a lot of the timber and metal,” she said.
“We will let a lot more light through and get some really comfortable funky furniture, nothing will be store bought and we have some old rail carts that we will upcycle.”
A drive-through coffee shop is proposed for Magazine St in Stratford. Picture: Supplied
The under-utilised and sprawling Stratford property at the corner Magazine and Greenbank Rd is also undergoing a new use with Rustygate3638 proposing a drive through coffee outlet targeting tradespeople that will be built using old shipping containers.
Narrow Tracks Distilling plans to produce about 5000 litres of spirits a year to be used in three gin and two moonshine products.
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