2025 MCT TOUR EPISODE 6: STEVE BINGHAM’S "The One More"

EPISODE 6: STEVE BINGHAM’S GOLDEN TROWEL
A GLOWING TRIBUTE TO AUSTRALIA’S BEER HERITAGE

For stop six of the 2025 Man Cave Tour, Jaya and Luca headed to Narangba, Queensland, where they met the big-smiling, big-hearted Steve Bingham. Originally from Orange, New South Wales, Steve now calls Queensland home, or as he jokes, enemy territory.

What he has built here may be one of the most visually striking man caves in the country.

It is bold, bright, and overflowing with nostalgia. Every wall, beam, and even the ceiling are covered in glowing pieces of Australia’s pub history. This is not just a man cave. It is a tribute to a national pastime.

THE GOLDEN TROWEL AND THE ONE MORE

Out the front of Steve’s shed, a gleaming sign reads The Golden Trowel. It is a nod to his trade as a bricklayer and to his mate Rob Carney, another heavyweight within the Man Caves Australia community.

If Steve had his way, though, he would rename it The One More, because once you step inside, you never want to leave.

As the roller door lifts, you are hit with a kaleidoscope of colour and light. Hundreds of illuminated beer signs glow like stained glass, transforming the shed into a temple of Australian brewing culture.

A COLLECTOR’S DREAM

To say Steve’s cave is filled with beer memorabilia would be an understatement. This place feels part museum, part love letter to Australian beer history.

Original perspex pub signs line the walls. Spinning light-up schooners look freshly poured, complete with bubbling detail. Bar lights, metal plaques, vintage brewery barrels, and signage from every major brand you can name fill the space from floor to ceiling.

Carlton. Tooheys. Resch’s. VB. Castlemaine XXXX. Swan. West End. Pilsner. Harn. Tooths. KB. Emu Draft. Fosters. Lion. Carlton Cold. Each one glows with its own character and its own slice of history.

For anyone building a beer-focused cave, this is the blueprint. (SHOP BEER SIGNS HERE)

THE HERITAGE BEHIND THE COLLECTION

Steve’s passion for collecting runs deep.

His grandfather, Leslie A. Driver, once ran the Eden Hotel in Eden, New South Wales. When the pub closed, a handful of relics were passed down through the family, including the original liquor licence sign that read:

Leslie A. Driver
Licensed to sell fermented and spirituous liquors

That sign sat boxed away for decades until Steve rediscovered it. The moment he saw it again, the collecting spark ignited.

What began with a single heirloom has grown into one of Australia’s most complete private collections of beer signage. A glowing archive of advertising design, craftsmanship, and pub nostalgia that spans generations.

INSIDE THE GOLDEN TROWEL

Steve’s double-sized shed is a masterclass in curation.

Every surface is covered with intention. Walls, ceilings, doors, and beams are layered with light and history, leaving no blank space untouched.

At the centre sits a seven-foot pool table alongside an original tabletop arcade machine. Around them are stools, barrels, and brewing relics once used in real pubs and breweries.

Genuine barrels from Castlemaine XXXX and Terry’s Lithgow sit nearby, along with original tap handles and heavy metal stools with the iconic X base. Steve shared that those stools were eventually phased out because staff struggled to move them during cleaning.

These small stories bring the space to life.

There is even a taxidermy yak head mounted proudly on one wall. A quirky, unmistakably Steve addition that somehow fits perfectly.

For anyone dreaming of a full pub-style setup at home, this cave sets the bar. (SHOP POOL TABLES & ARCADE MACHINES)

BEER, BROTHERHOOD, AND BRICKLAYING

What becomes clear the moment you step inside is that this cave is an extension of Steve himself.

As a bricklayer, he is a builder by nature. As a collector, he is a preserver of culture. As a man cave enthusiast, he is part of a brotherhood that stretches across the country.

This is a place to unwind, share stories, and always have one more. Whether that is a beer, a laugh, or a yarn about the good old days.

FAQs: BUILDING A THEMED MAN CAVE LIKE A PRO

How do I start collecting authentic pub memorabilia?
Start small and local. Visit garage sales, old pubs being renovated, and online marketplaces. Look for genuine brewery markings and materials like perspex, enamel, or tin.

How do you keep hundreds of signs looking good?
Patience and care. Clean lighting, tidy wiring, and controlled humidity go a long way in preserving vintage pieces.

What’s the key to designing a themed cave?
Consistency. Whether it is beer, motorsport, or music, commit fully. A clear theme gives a man cave its soul.

THE LEGACY OF LIGHT

Steve Bingham’s Golden Trowel is more than a man cave. It is a glowing testament to craftsmanship, memory, and passion.

Each light tells a story. Each brand holds a piece of Australian history.

And as Steve likes to say, the name says it all. There is always time for one more.