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Beechworth
Beechworth
  
Quick facts
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- Population approximately 3,200
- 267 kilometres north-east of Melbourne
- One of Australia's richest gold fields
- Courthouse where Ned Kelly stood trial
- Close to the Rutherglen, Milawa and
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Beechworth wine regions.
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Beechworth is one of only two towns in Victoria classified as "Notable" by the National Trust. With wide tree-lined streets and solid, dignified buildings, still in their original splendor, Beechworth is reminiscent of the flamboyant gold rush days. Many buildings, sites, trees and the commercial core of the town are listed by the Australian Heritage Commission, Heritage Victoria and the National Trust. These magnificent buildings of the late 1800s have been restored and now house restaurants, accommodation, superb antique establishments and specialty shops. A dynamic arts community brings its interpretation through its work to visitors in a busy arts precinct. Beechworth can offer you fine dining, wineries, restaurants, cafes, delicatessens and country pubs, gift shops, book stores and a large selection of bric-a-brac wares. Whether your interest is in the historical, or in seeing how the past and present meld in an unique town environment, then Beechworth can give you experiences that will bring you back, time after time.
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www.beechworthonline.com
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Activities and Attractions
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- Take a walking tour of the Beechworth Historic and Cultural Precinct and the buildings of historical significance in central Beechworth, many of which are made of local honey granite
- Discover Beechworth after dark on a lantern-lit walking tour and learn about local history
- Walk through the historic courthouse at Beechworth, where Ned Kelly stood trial in 1880 after the siege at Glenrowan
- Visit the nearby towns of Yackandandah and Chiltern, which have changed little since the nineteenth century and have been the setting for a number of Australian period films
- Visit Burke Museum to learn about local aboriginal heritage, gold fever and the history of the town and region, and see Ned Kelly's death mask. The museum is named after Robert O'Hara Burke - the Beechworth police superintendent who became the famous (and ill-fated) explorer
- Enjoy a meat pie, lamington or pastry at the famous Beechworth Bakery
- Take the Woolshed Falls Historic Walk
- Visit the local cemetery, a large section of which is dedicated to the graves of approximately 2,000 Chinese who came in search of gold, and see the twin ceremonial Chinese burning towers built in 1883
- Visit cellar doors to sample local wine, and taste the fare of gourmet local producers
- Cycle the scenic Murray to the Mountains Rail Trail, a sealed bitumen trail following the historic railway lines linking Wangaratta, Beechworth and Bright
- Visit La Trobe University Beechworth Campus, formerly the Beechworth Lunatic Asylum. Constructed in 1867 and set in 11 hectares of ornamental gardens, the hospital served as one of Victoria's three major country asylums and housed up to 1,000 patients.
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Events
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- Chinese Lantern Festival - February
- Beechworth Classic Motorcycle, Lawn Mower & Rotary Hoe Show - February
- Golden Horseshoes Festival - Easter
- Drive Back in Time - May
- Beechworth Harvest Celebration - May
- Timber Heritage Festival - May
- Ned Kelly Weekend - August
- Beechworth Celtic Festival - November
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How to get there
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Beechworth is 267 kilometres or approximately 3 hours from Melbourne via the Hume Freeway, Great Alpine Road and Wangaratta-Beechworth Road.
Vline trains run from Melbourne to Wangaratta . From there connect with the bus service to Beechworth. Contact Vline 136 196 for the latest timetable.
Wangaratta Coach Lines runs a regular service between Albury, Beechworth and Yackandandah during school periods. Ph +61 3 5722 1843
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