The Meatworks was established in Burketown in 1863 by the Edkin Brothers who traded brine-cured meat directly with Batavia. In 1866 the brothers attempted to expand the business into the full-blown Boiling Down Works with the purchase of a steam plant that was operational in 1867. The new plant boiled the meat down for tinning, hides were pressed and bailed and hooves boiled down to tallow.

The venture did not survive beyond 1870 due to high freight costs and poor sales returns. The remains of much of the machinery can be found a short distance from the Landsborough Tree on Colonial Flat. Machinery taken from the site also surrounds the Burketown Visitor Centre (crn Musgrave and Burke Streets). 

For more information regarding the history of the Boiling Downs Works please visit - Boiling Downs Works History