If you are arriving in Beechworth and need a meal you will be glad to know there are plenty of options. From the fine dining experiences through to the convenience of quick local food there is something for you and your family. Of course there are several famous options but there are also a number of excellent local cafes, diners and boutique eateries. It is worth noting that not everything is in the centre of town with a number of out of town businesses also offering some delightful food options. Some of the local wineries also provide meals and a number of the accommodation providers can arrange picnic baskets and the like.
When you are looking for a place to cool down during the hot Summer months then take the short drive from Beechworth out to Woolshed Falls. You can hop amongst the falls – be careful they are slippery and there is a big drop off where the water plunges into the gorge below. There are rock pools to sit in and enjoy the cool waters, historic walks to discover and maybe bring along a picnic lunch. Woolshed Falls also has an observation deck from where you can get an excellent view of the cascading waters and also the creek that heads further down Reidy Creek. This is another of Beechworth’s wonderful natural attractions, be sure to take any rubbish home with you and only to leave your footprints
Cultural diversity is just one of the many attractions about living in Beechworth. As a community our residents have arrived from all over the world and from all walks of life. Of course there are many people that have lived her for generations and the core of what Beechworth has become. The newer residents have brought with them new ideas, skills and energy, together the old and the new are driving Beechworth’s future. Each year at events such as the Golden Horseshoes festival we celebrate our past, present and future. Come along and help us celebrate, you will find the locals friendly and welcoming, and who knows, you may decide to stay for a while.
Beechworth is well known as a town that loves to celebrate. Some people even say that it is a rare occurrence when there is now something happening in, or around, Beechworth. There is a wide variety of festivals including the very popular Celtic Festival, Golden Horseshoes Easter Festival, Drive Back in Time Vintage and Veteran Car weekend, Harvest Celebration, Ned Kelly weekend and a whole host of other events. The festivals create a real buzz of excitement around town and attract people from across Australia as well as the nearby towns. If you are planning on experiencing Beechworth during a festival weekend be sure to arrive early as parking can be scarce.
If you are someone that loves the outdoors then the Beechworth region has plenty to offer. There are some wonderful walking tracks, bike trails and viewpoints from which to take in the surrounding landscapes. And if you are a family and have not yet discovered the fun of geocaching then Beechworth is a great place to start with plenty of little ‘treasures’ to unearth. We are also luck enough to have an abundance of native Australian wildlife including koalas, kangaroos, echidnas, monitor lizards, wallabies, birds and even fish. In fact one of the often undiscovered secrets is the picturesque Lake Sambell which has a public beach, free BBQ’s, Children’s play equipment and a boat ramp.
There is plenty of fun to be had in Beechworth, especially during the many festivals that we celebrate each year. From the boutique wines and gourmet foods of the Harvest Celebration through to the hustle and bustle diversity of the annual Golden Horseshoes Festival there is something for everyone. From the smell of the petrol and grease of the Drive Back in time to the more delicate nature of model trains and antique fairs, the sounds or Celtic bagpipes to the rumblings of bushrangers and police on horseback during the Ned Kelly weekend. There are costumes and characters, rogues and rebels, all to be found in Beechworth.
Much of the success of Beechworth as a destination can be attributed to its stunningly preserved history and colonial culture. From the historic precinct and the old gaol to the old granite quarries and majestic buildings there is a taste of history to be discovered. One of the popular attractions is the regular outings of the Beechworth re-enactment group which adds to the atmosphere of colonial streets but modern day offerings. There are many other historic locations to discover including Woolshed Falls, Flat Rock, Ingram’s Lookout, the Cemetery and Mayday Hills, just to name a few. If your feel like a walk then maybe take the trail to Lake Kerferd past some of the old mine shafts. There s plenty to see and do in Beechworth.
There are some wonderful spots to take in the local scenery. Most are easily accessible and others may require a short walk. View across the town or the historic goldfields are easily found and they are a great motivator to get out and enjoy some light exercise. This view is from the Precipice lookout which takes in the farming fields below that were once bustling with miners and aspiring business people. You can walk along this plateau from the Beechworth Gorge across to Woolshed Falls following the gently flowing Spring Creek. It is a well maintained track but do watch out for snacks and other critters during the Spring and Summer months when the grass is tall and dry.
For visitors in Melbourne, a trip back in time to Beechworth Victoria is an opportunity that should not be missed. It's like the town is still in the 1850s, with perfectly preserved buildings from the gold rush era. But these days, the only miners panning for gold here are tourists looking for some adventure and entertainment.
As a matter of fact, visitors here can enjoy a whole array of events and festivals throughout the year. Starting from the Opera in the Alps festival in January, the lineup continues all the way to the Harvest Festival in May, the Golden Horseshoes Easter Festival and the Ned Kelly Weekend in August. It's sad that visitors have to choose one of these and miss the rest, unless of course a visitor comes here and never wants to go back.
As for coming here, Albury Airport is the closest airport servicing the town and its visitors. But it's much more interesting to take a scenic drive from Melbourne. It's only 3 hours away (or 4.5 from Canberra), and the Hume Freeway gives way to the spectacular beauty of the last leg of the drive between Wangaratta and Wodonga. Sydney is a bit further away on the other side- a 7 hour drive.
Once here, visitors can choose from a whole bunch of attractions and activities. As mentioned above, history buffs can take tours of the historic buildings from the gold rush years and go on gold panning expeditions. There are also ghost tours and the Historic Precinct tour which includes the Ned Kelly courthouse.
Tourists will find an amazing array of shops, bakeries, restaurants and wineries all competing to offer fresh goods, gourmet food and local wines. In terms of attractions, visitors can enjoy the La Trobe Gardens, shopping in the boutique stores and browsing the art galleries. All of this is apart from the main entree, which is made up of the historic buildings, the tours and the festivals.
Another aspect of the town's attraction is its natural beauty, set in the foothills of the Australian Alps. The snow-capped mountains look down on deep gorges and rolling green hills filled with thundering water falls and all sorts of wildlife. Many visitors come here just for the outdoors, and enjoy activities like mountain biking, boat fishing and taking scenic drives. The top of Alma Road has a bike park, Lake Sambell is good for the fishing, and the best place to take a scenic drive and see some Koalas and Wallabies is Beechworth Gorge Drive.
As for the accommodations, visitors can choose from a splendid collection of self contained cottages, caravan parks, bed and breakfasts, and hotels and motels. Everything from pricey resorts to cheap motor inns is available. When there's a festival in progress, it's best to have a reservation. Otherwise, there's plenty of room for all visitors.
Whatever the reason or season for the visit, Beechworth Victoria is sure to be an interesting experience. It's a welcome change from the big cities, since it is still a small town with only a few thousand permanent residents. It's all very authentic, and the fresh mountain air can still be felt inside the town.
