Beechworth - Fast Facts

Beechworth
Almost perfectly preserved and maintained historic goldmining town.
Beechworth is surely the state's, if not the country's, best-preserved 19th-century gold town. It has over 30 buildings listed with the National Trust and, for the most part, they are substantial and often elegant buildings in excellent condition. Perhaps more important is the feel of the streetscape. The historic buildings in so many Australian towns tend to be 'cheek to jowl' with functional modern structures, creating a motley, incoherent and untidy effect. By comparison, Beechworth's streetscape is remarkably coherent and well-preserved. The frequent usage of honey-coloured local granite as a building material lends further cohesiveness. Indeed, there is nothing to mar the overall feel which is redolent of the past.

Naturally this motif of the past is central to the town's commercial orientation as a tourist town, but, even here, tastefulness prevails. The businesses are housed in appropriate buildings, there are some good second-hand booksellers, and many of the gift shops sell handcrafted items of genuine quality. Even the trash-and-treasure outlets tend to be charmingly unpretentious.

Finally the public parks and gardens, with their mature trees and interesting gardens, the wide tree-lined streets, the 19th-century residences and Beechworth's picturesque setting in the foothills of the Australian Alps contribute an indefinable but vital component to the graceful and dignified air that hangs over the park-like character of the town.

Beechworth is located 271 km north-east of Melbourne via the Hume Freeway and has an elevation above sea level of 550 metres.

Tourist Information

Beechworth Visitor Information Centre
Old Shire Hall Ford St
Beechworth VIC 3747
Telephone: 1300 366 321