Historic... BEECHWORTH
Beechworth is one of the best weekends away in Victoria for those wanting to visit a well preserved heritage town replete with excellent accommodation and good dining venues. This 1850s Gold Rush town in Victoria’s north-east has become incredibly popular with those who appreciate the combination of carefully restored colonial buildings, a splash of Ned Kelly history, and large helping of beautiful countryside.
The region was initially explored by Hume and Hovell in 1824, though it was some time before a settlement emerged. Beechworth had a boom time when the gold flowed like water: in fourteen years after first discovery in 1852, some four million ounces of gold were officially mined.
It’s fabled that one wealthy miner actually rode through town on a horse shod with shoes of pure gold - proving that horseshoes can bring good fortune after all. But whether the story is true or not, there’s no doubt the prosperity generated by Beechworth gold has left an admirable heritage - and a little infamy.
The Kelly Gang made their home on a rocky hilltop eyrie overlooking the town and surrounding country. The marauding gang became outlaws in the region around Glenrowan, Greta and Beechworth in the 1870s, and Ned was temporarily incarcerated in the local lockup, tried in the courthouse, and imprisoned here. The old prison is now in private hands, and many local residents hope it will be preserved intact for history's sake.
Anyone wishing to follow in Ned’s footsteps, lawfully, could start here in town. From the Post Office, Ford and Camp Streets are lined with shops and hotels nestling comfortably close, toe-ing the broad footpaths beneath swooping iron verandahs. Further afield, in easy walking distance, are skillfully restored stone public buildings (the town's historic precinct charges a fee for entry) and timber cottages, as well as some of the most beautiful cottage gardens in the Victoria. In Autumn, the town's deciduous trees blaze with extraordinary colour.
Local-quarried granite was a favoured building material for important edifices, and the town today boasts thirty-two buildings classified by the National Trust - most in an excellent state of preservation thanks to the skill of last century’s stonemasons and the durability of the honey-coloured stone.
Beechworth Bakery is a popular place for pies and cream cakes, Wardens for good coffee and casual dining. The old Bank Restaurant has now evolved into "Provenance" and has found renewed favour with diners. Local pubs aren't too shabby either. Or, try the Bridge boutique brewery behind Tanswells Hotel in the main street - not bad at all!
A number of walking routes are marked on the Beechworth within-a-walk map, available at the tourist information centre. Keen sightseers can explore the Powder Magazine, ceremonial Chinese burning towers, the scenic Gorge Road, Murmungee Lookout, and find innumerable quiet, shady picnic spots. Local award-winning wineries have tastings and cellar door sales.
One of the best attractions for cyclists is the rail-trail which extends to Everton and links with the main Wangaratta to Bright rail trail; a total distance of almost 100km. The rail-trail to Everton is a more modest 16km, mostly downhill - but remember it's all uphill coming back to Beechworth.
Getting there: Beechworth is about 284km north-east of Melbourne, off the Hume Freeway. It's a three hour drive from the city via Hume Fwy. A suggested (longer and more scenic) return route is via Whitfield, Mansfield and Yea, about 6 hours.
STAY THE WEEKEND AT:
Freeman on Ford - luxury B&B with ensuites in restored banking chambers, heart of town. Ph 03 5728 2371
The Stone Cottage, 2 s/c cottages 5mins walk to centre of town. ph 0411 324 797 see my review.
