BEECHWORTH WALKS

La Trobe at Beechworth welcomes visitors to its magnificent heritage buildings and gardens noted by the National Trust as Victorian Gardens of Significance. A ‘historic self guided walking tour’ guides visitors around the historic precinct and surrounds of the old Mayday Hills hospital or Beechworth Lunatic Asylum as it was originally named. Established in 1867 as one of three major asylums in the state of Victoria, the hospital operated for nearly 130 years until its closure in 1995. Along the way visitors will discover fascinating facts and information relating to the asylum, its buildings and operations. The gardens cover 11 hectares and surround the historic buildings. Planted as a botanical garden of exotic trees and shrubs in the late 19th century, the lush green exotic plantings are set against a spectacular back drop of indigenous flora. The original plantings were thought to have been donated by the Royal Botanical Gardens. They include Bunya Pines, a magnificent 55 metre tall Douglas Fir, Californian Redwood, Cedars, Cypress and Sequoias. Canary Pines overlooking the Mayday Hills Oval and an Avenue of Oaks were planted in the early 20th Century by the “Ornamental Gardener” Hugh Linaker. Plantings of Rhododendrum, Azaleas and Roses date from the 1970’s and offer a splendid colourful vista in early spring.

The ‘historic self guided walking tour’ is free and available to anyone who is interested in learning more about asylums established in the Victorian era. Brochures can be collected on site at the reception desk of the George Briscoe Kerferd Conference Centre or at the Visitor Information Centre in Beechworth. The gardens are open daily to the public from dawn to dusk.

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