The mill was built around 1865 as part of the Totara Estate, which belonged to early settlers Matthew Holmes and Henry Campbell. Part of the mill was created with limestone cut from the hill behind the mill. The heavy machinery was brought to New Zealand by sailing ship from the United Kingdom, Australia and United States in the 1860s and 1870s. Wheat and oats were ground using horizontal grinding stones, which were powered by a 'undershot' waterwheel.
In 1901 the mill was sold to the Clark family, who operated it for the next 75 years, and it is now best known as Clarks Mill. Electric power was added in the 1930s. The New Zealand Historic Places Trust purchased Clarks Mill in 1977, and it is now open to the public on Sundays 1-3pm November-April including Labour Weekend Sunday (fourth Sunday in October). Don't miss the operating days and experience the Mill in action on the last Sunday of the month.
Now open every day during February 2014, 10am-4pm, with the machinery operating on Thursdays at 11am and Sundays at 2pm