Take a Sunday Drive to Beechworth

Ah, Beechworth - land of the mythical Beechworth Bakery, goldrush ruins, gorges, lakes and good old-fashioned country values; perfect for a Sunday venture in the car.

It is quite a ways away and there is a TON to see, so either leave early or perhaps start on Saturday and spend a night before exploring the area and taking your time on the way home. 

How to Get There

Beechworth is nestled in the foothills of Victoria’s High Country, just under a three-hour drive north-east across the state. 

Head out of town along the M31 Hume Freeway. Take the Great Alpine Road B500 to Tarrawingee, and the C315 to Beechworth.

What to See in Beechworth

Beechworth boasts a unique and majestic array of heritage buildings, earning it the title of one of Victoria’s best preserved gold towns. It truly is like stepping back in time and it has such an old-fashioned country charm.

• See where diggers laboured all those years ago amongst eucalyptus and native cypress pine forests, winding creeks, steep gullies and rugged granite outcrops at the Beechworth Historic Park on Kars Street. Absolutely breathtaking in autumn.
• Pop Lake Kerferd on your list of things to see - created in 1862 to retain the waters of the Hurdle Swamp for gold mining activities, today it is Beechworth’s main water supply and the surrounding bushland is a treat for nature lovers, offering habitat to a rich diversity of animal and birdlife. The lake can be accessed by a five kilometre walking track or by car.
• The Historic and Cultural Precinct includes a significant collection of authentic gold rush administration buildings, impressive museums and artefacts, all with a deep and rich history. You can see them in context and hear their stories with a Historic Walking Tour of the area.
• See large granite outcrops, native forest, magnificent rockpools and cascades at the Beechworth Gorge, a popular walking, bike riding and driving loop with views to the Woolshed Valley and across the township of Beechworth itself. Don’t miss the points of interest along the track here!
• Outside of Beechworth lies stunning natural scenery and is well worth a look if you are there for the day.

What to Do in Beechworth

• The rich history of the gold rush that shaped the towns and countryside of Beechworth, Chiltern, Rutherglen and Yackandandah can be explored on a fascinating self-guided tour of the Indigo Gold Trail, which takes in some of the most beautiful scenery in Australia.
• Check out The Beechworth Historic Courthouse, one of the few remaining living history museums in Australia and one of Beechworth’s most visited attractions. Built in 1858 and in continuous service for 131 years, the Beechworth Courthouse retains its original furniture and fittings, which are in incredible condition and gives a real insight into how life was at the time.
• If you’re up for it, why not try something different with an Asylum Ghost Tour?! Trawl the Mayday Hills Lunatic Asylum and see if you can spot any spooks.
• Visit Beechworth Stoneage Gems to see a hobby collection spannig 60 years.  The collection includes petrified wood, petrified fern, malachite, minerals, gem stones, opals, crystals and local stones such as smokey quartz crystal, crystal, garnets and agates. Only 8 kilometres from Beechworth on the Beechworth Chiltern Road, just look out for the sign.
• Indulge your sweet tooth with the Beechworth Honey Experience, where you can take a free self-guided educational honey tour (commencing every 10 minutes), and browse historical beekeeping artefacts. See live bees up close (from behind a viewing window), and head down the road to the Beechworth Honey Bee School for a free daily cooking demonstration or bee talk, taste complimentary bee and honey inspired drink and food, and explore the fascinating link between bees, pollination and our food future.

Where to Eat in Beechworth

• Beechworth Bakery! It’s famous for a reason. Yes get the vanilla slice and the beesting, but the croissants are worth the trip too.
• The Ageing Frog Fish Bar for the biggest pile of chips you’ve ever seen. Ever.
• Grab pizza and a beer at the Bridge Road Brewery
• Go old school with a counter lunch at Tanswell’s Commercial Hotel
• Go for something a little different at the Chinese Village Restaurant
• Nab a table at The Ox and Hound Bistro for modern food in country portions.
• DIY with some picnic items sourced from Goldfields Greengrocer or Larder Fromagerie.

Enjoy!

Main Image Credit: Explore Beechworth

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