Beechworth, Victoria, travel guide and things to do: Nine must-do highlights

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Beechworth, Victoria, travel guide and things to do: Nine must-do highlights

By Ben Groundwater
Updated
Historic Beechworth town centre.

Historic Beechworth town centre.Credit: iStock

THE ONE WINERY

It would be criminal, really, to select only one winery to visit in the Beechworth area. This is one of Australia's best boutique wine regions, the source of some world-class chardonnay, as well as excellent pinot noir, gamay, Nebbiolo and more. The wineries that cling to the rugged hills around Beechworth range from the exclusive and difficult-to-access – the likes of Giaconda and Sorrenberg – to the friendly and easily approachable, such as Pennyweight and Weathercraft. Perhaps the best blend of the two, however, is Savaterre. Visits here are appointment-only, but the crowd is friendly and the wine – Savaterre's top-level chardonnay is poured in the Emirates first-class cabin – is some of the best in the country. See savaterre.com

THE ONE RESTAURANT

Chef Michael Ryan from The Provenance in Beechworth

Chef Michael Ryan from The Provenance in BeechworthCredit: Peter Charlesworth

Chef Michael Ryan's two-hatted restaurant Provenance has long been destination dining for those who care about cuisine. This is sometimes the sole reason people come to Beechworth: to take a seat in the gold-rush era Bank of Australiasia building and be treated to a multi-course feast of Ryan's Japanese-influenced fare. Ryan utilises local ingredients to create the likes of chawanmushi – Japanese steamed custard – with trout roe, sashimi with house-made yuzu kosho, and grilled beef with smoked miso butter. The wine list features both international and Australian labels, though there's a focus on the excellent product of the Beechworth region, with a few difficult-to-source vintages available. See theprovenance.com.au

THE ONE HOTEL

Provenance Hotel, Beechworth.

Provenance Hotel, Beechworth. Credit: iStock

Beechworth's best hotel is the same as its best restaurant, Provenance. The eatery has accommodation on site: choose from either modern rooms in the former stables out the back of the restaurant, or opt instead for the "Manager's Residence", a beautifully decorated, self-contained apartment in what was once the bank manager's dwelling above the restaurant. Perhaps the biggest drawcard at the Manager's Residence, particularly for those with any lingering COVID-19 concerns, is the option to have your dinner at Provenance served in the residence's private dining room. Simply sit back and enjoy as waiters run plate after plate of Japanese cuisine up the charmingly creaky old stairs. See theprovenance.com.au

THE ONE BAKERY

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Beechworth Bakery is a classic of the country-bakery genre. Housed in a building that dates back to 1857, the specialty here is sweet, cream-filled deliciousness, in the form of vanilla slices, custard tarts, snickerdoodles, and the true classic, the bee sting (a round brioche filled with pastry cream, topped with honey-glazed nuts). Beechworth Bakery also does a great range of savoury snacks, though plenty of locals will tell you the best meat pies in town come from just up the road at Gum Tree Pies. See beechworthbakery.com.au

THE ONE PROVIDOR

People in Beechworth care about food and wine. They care about where it comes from, they care about who produces it, and they care about how it tastes. For proof, call in to Project 49, a café and deli on Beechworth's main street. Here you'll find some of the best local produce around, from Beechworth's famous honey, to locally made cheeses, olives, charcuterie, jams, and more. The team at P49 also bake bread and pastries, plus make a mean flat white. See projectfortynine.com.au

THE ONE HISTORIC SITE

You can't miss HM Prison Beechworth as you drive into town: the old jail's imposing granite walls are as solid as ever, despite the fact the prison, built in 1864, was decommissioned in 2004. The jail had some famous inmates over the years, from bushrangers such as Joe Byrne and Steve Hart, to none other than Ned Kelly himself, who was held here on two occasions, including during his committal trial for murder in 1880. Tours of the prison are conducted daily, and, because this is Beechworth, there's a great café on-site. See oldbeechworthgaol.com.au

THE ONE MUSEUM

History buffs will also want to call past the Robert O'Hara Burke Memorial Museum – named after he of Burke and Wills fame – to check out the collection of more than 30,000 individual items that range from Aboriginal weapons and tools to gold rush artefacts to animal and birdlife taxidermy. There's also an entire vault dedicated to original items relating to Ned Kelly and his gang, including Kelly's death mask. See explorebeechworth.com.au

THE ONE TAKEAWAY

If you aren't expecting to find high-quality, authentic Sri Lankan cuisine in country Victoria, then you haven't met Amandhi De Silva. The Sri Lankan-born chef now calls Beechworth home, and operates an eponymous restaurant that focuses on gourmet take-out delights to enjoy at home. Each night Amandhi cooks up something different, with dishes ranging from whole fish steamed in banana leaf, to goat curry, to spiced cauliflower with sambal. Perfect for those wanting a quiet night after a long day. See amandhis.com

THE ONE PUB

Take a break from the wine sipping and instead indulge in some beer slurping at local Beechworth brewery Bridge Road. The taproom here is set in a 150-year-old coach house and stables, and there are usually about 20 house-brewed beers available for tasting. Don't miss classics like the pale ale and the "Bling IPA", as well as seasonal brews such as the "Nitro Magical Christmas Unicorn", and the "Hazy Bling NEIPA". This is serious beer for serious beer drinkers, as well as those who just fancy a cheeky schooner. See bridgeroadbrewers.com.au

ONE MORE THING

The historic gold mining town of Yackandandah in Victoria.

The historic gold mining town of Yackandandah in Victoria.Credit: iStock

Just a short drive down the road from Beechworth, Yackandandah is a lovely little village with plenty of historic buildings that house shops, galleries, bakeries and cafes, plus there are opportunities for bushwalking and mountain-bike riding in the surrounding area. See exploreyackandandah.com.au

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