Beechworth, Victoria – A Historic Gold Rush Town in Victoria’s High Country

Beechworth, Victoria – A Historic Gold Rush Town in Victoria’s High Country

Beechworth is a beautifully preserved historic gold mining town nestled in Victoria’s High Country. Located approximately 285 kilometres north-east of Melbourne, the town is known for its tree-lined streets, grand 19th-century architecture, artisan food scene, and rich gold rush history.

During our stay in Beechworth, we wandered through the town centre, enjoyed morning tea at the iconic Beechworth Bakery, and explored the Old Beechworth Gaol and Historic Precinct. We also visited Last Street Brewery, Lake Sambell, and the former Beechworth Asylum before heading out to Woolshed Falls and Beechworth Berries.

Beechworth Town Centre

Beechworth’s town centre, centred around Camp Street and Ford Street, is filled with beautifully preserved historic buildings and charming shopfronts dating back to the 19th century. It’s a lovely area to explore on foot, with plenty of cafés, restaurants, and boutique stores to browse.

One of the most prominent landmarks is the Beechworth Post Office, built in 1870. It served as the town’s post office until 2018 and remains one of Beechworth’s most striking heritage buildings.

Another notable building is the former Bank of Victoria, constructed in 1861 and now home to Beechworth Gold, a family-owned jewellery store. Inside, you can still see the original gold vault that once stored gold discovered during the local gold rush.

Beechworth Bakery

Our next stop was the iconic Beechworth Bakery for morning tea. Open daily from 6.00 am to 6.00 pm, the bakery was established in 1984 as a small country bakery and has since grown to include eight locations across Victoria.

Despite its growth, Beechworth Bakery continues to use traditional recipes, with a huge range of baked goods made fresh daily using high-quality ingredients.

Just along Ford Street, you’ll also find Christ Church, completed in 1859, with its tower added in 1864. The church is still in use today and is another fine example of Beechworth’s historic architecture.

Beechworth Honey Shop

The iconic Beechworth Honey Shop is located at the top of Ford Street and is open daily from 9.00 am to 5.30 pm. Inside, you’ll find an impressive range of honey, honey-based products, gifts, books, confectionery, and beeswax skincare.

One of the highlights is the opportunity to taste more than 40 single-varietal honeys, ranging from light and delicate flavours to rich, warm, and bold varieties. The shop also features an informative display on the history of honey and beekeeping, along with a working beehive where you can watch the bees in action.

Nearby on Camp Street is the Hotel Nicholas, Beechworth’s oldest pub. Established around 1855 during the gold rush, it was originally known as the Alliance Hotel.

Also on Camp Street is the Beechworth Sweet Co., a wonderful old-style lolly shop offering a huge selection of traditional lollies, handmade fudge, chocolates, liquorice, and other nostalgic treats.

The Old Beechworth Gaol

Construction of the Old Beechworth Gaol began in 1857, and when it opened in 1860, it could house 36 prisoners. By the time construction was completed in 1864, the gaol could accommodate 72 inmates. It operated as a medium-security prison until closing in 2004.

Today, the gaol is open daily from 9.00 am to 2.00 pm and includes a café and a range of fascinating guided tours. These tours explore the gaol’s grim yet compelling history, taking you through original cell blocks and sharing stories of escape attempts and notorious inmates.

The Old Beechworth Gaol is closely linked to the Kelly Gang. Ned Kelly was imprisoned here three times, and his mother Ellen, brother Dan, and other associates were also held within its walls.

Beechworth Historic Precinct

The Beechworth Historic Precinct, located along Ford Street, is a collection of authentic 1850s administrative buildings. These include the Courthouse, Telegraph Station, Chinese Protectorate Office, Gold Wardens Office, Police Stables, and the Stone Lock-Up.

We really enjoyed wandering through the precinct and reading the information boards that detail the history and purpose of each building.

Beechworth Courthouse

The Beechworth Courthouse was built in 1858 using local granite and served as the region’s main courthouse until 1989. More than 40 trials and hearings connected to the Kelly Gang took place here, including Ned Kelly’s committal hearing before his final trial in Melbourne.

Today, the courthouse houses the Kelly Trials Exhibition, an immersive 270-degree wrap-around multimedia experience exploring stories of crime, punishment, law, and governance. Sessions run daily, with tickets available online or from the visitor centre.

Telegraph Station

The Telegraph Station, built in 1858, was once the region’s main communications hub, linking Melbourne and Sydney via Morse code. It played a key role in relaying information about the Ned Kelly manhunt, the Glenrowan siege, and courthouse proceedings to the wider world.

Today, the station features historical displays, and visitors can still send a telegram. It is open daily from 11.00 am to 2.00 pm, with free entry.

Stone Lock-Up

The Stone Lock-Up was constructed in 1867 to replace an earlier timber structure. Each cell could house up to 20 prisoners, with men held in the left cell and women in the right. Prisoners often remained here for months while awaiting trial at the courthouse.

Both Ned Kelly and his mother were held in the Stone Lock-Up during their time in Beechworth.

Beechworth Town Hall

The Beechworth Town Hall, built in 1859, now houses the Visitor Information Centre. The centre is open daily from 9.30 am to 4.30 pm, and visitors can step inside to admire the building’s beautiful interior and stunning vaulted ceiling.

Last Street Brewery

We visited Last Street Brewery, open daily from 12.00 noon to 5.00 pm. Formerly Billsons Brewery, it occupies a striking red-brick Victorian tower brewery building completed in 1873.

Today, visitors can enjoy guided tours, sample a wide range of traditional cordials, syrups, and small-batch and limited-edition liqueurs. The brewery also features a family-friendly taproom and restaurant, offering a seasonal menu made with locally sourced ingredients.

Lake Sambell

Lake Sambell is a lovely recreational lake located on the outskirts of Beechworth. It’s a popular spot for fishing, boating, cycling, and swimming during the warmer months.

The area was originally the site of the Rocky Mountain Mining Company and a busy gold sluicing operation during the mid-1800s gold rush. In the 1920s, the excavated land was transformed into a recreational lake and reserve.

Today, the reserve includes walking trails, a playground, a swimming area, BBQs, picnic tables, and shaded seating. Nearby is Beechworth’s Chinese Garden, a tranquil space created to celebrate the town’s Chinese heritage from the gold rush era, featuring ornamental ponds, pathways, statues, and shady trees.

Beechworth Asylum (Mayday Hills)

The Old Beechworth Asylum, located on Albert Road, is set within 11 hectares of beautiful heritage gardens. Built in 1867, the asylum once comprised 67 buildings and housed more than 1,200 patients and 500 staff at its peak.

It was one of Victoria’s largest psychiatric hospitals and operated as a largely self-sufficient community, with its own piggery, orchards, kitchen gardens, stables, barns, and farmland. Recreational facilities included tennis courts, an oval, a cricket pavilion, and a theatre.

Also known as the Mayday Hills Lunatic Asylum, it operated for over a century before closing in 1995. Today, the Mayday Hills Heritage Gardens are open to the public from dawn to dusk, and visitors can explore the historic precinct. Asylum Ghost Tours also offer ghost, paranormal, and historical tours of the site.

Woolshed Falls

Woolshed Falls are located in the Chiltern–Mount Pilot National Park, approximately 6 kilometres from Beechworth. A short walk leads to a lookout where you can see the falls cascading over granite rock formations into a deep pool below.

This area was once the heart of one of Australia’s richest goldfields, with up to 8,000 prospectors camping along Spring Creek during the gold rush. Today, the site includes two car parks, toilets, BBQs, and picnic tables, making it a great spot to visit.

Beechworth Berries

Beechworth Berries is a small-scale berry farm located around 7 kilometres from Beechworth, where visitors can pick their own berries. Strawberries are usually available, with raspberries, blackberries, and blueberries offered seasonally.

Before visiting, it’s best to check their Facebook page for current availability. After berry picking, you can enjoy a delicious strawberry ice cream and browse their range of jams, sauces, relishes, cordials, and other locally made products.

Final Thoughts on Visiting Beechworth

Beechworth is a town that effortlessly blends rich gold rush history with great food, beautiful heritage buildings, and relaxed country charm. From wandering the historic streets and learning about the Kelly Gang to enjoying local produce, peaceful gardens, and nearby waterfalls, there is so much to see and do in and around town.

Whether you’re visiting for a weekend getaway or including Beechworth as part of a Victoria’s High Country road trip, it’s a destination that invites you to slow down, explore, and really appreciate its stories. Beechworth is a place we thoroughly enjoyed visiting and one we’d happily return to.