High Country Life

Beechworth is an amazing place to visit, whether you want to enjoy the natural surroundings or visit the attractions. You can learn about the history of gold mining, see the Woolshed Falls or go on a hike around the lakes. Besides that, you can also try the many restaurants and wineries around the town.

History of gold mining

Beechworth, Victoria is a gold mining town that is often visited by tourists. The area is also known for its picturesque Victorian streetscapes and ornate buildings.

Thousands of miners flocked to the region in the late 1850s to chase the elusive gold. The total population of Victoria grew rapidly after the discovery. The towns of Ballarat, Bendigo and Melbourne were the main centres of the colony.

In the early days, surface alluvial gold was discovered. It was found in silty areas on the banks of rivers and creeks. Later, more difficult and dangerous methods were used. Among other techniques, hydraulic sluicing became popular. This involved using large amounts of water to sluice the gold from the riverbed.

The sluicing technique required large quantities of water and impressive engineering feats. To ensure that the water could flow, miners built extensive networks of dams, races and tunnels.

Beechworth was the centre of complex water networks in the colonial goldfields. Many of the races and dams built by the miners are preserved today. The Cultural Landscapes of Colonial Water Management project is a collaboration between La Trobe University and the Australian Research Council.

The Beechworth district was one of the most significant alluvial goldfields in colonial Victoria. During the 1850s, eight thousand people were working on the fields. However, as gold mined out, the area lost most of its population.

In the late 1850s, Chinese workers came to Beechworth. Several years later, tens of thousands of migrants arrived in South Melbourne and the Goldfields regions to chase the elusive gold.

During the 1860s, the Rocky Mountain Mining Company constructed an 800-metre-long tunnel under the township. This helped to reduce the water levels of Spring Creek.

Wineries

The Beechworth wine region is situated in the beautiful north east of Victoria. It is about 3 hours northeast of Melbourne. The area has a reputation for producing high quality wines. The grape varieties in the Beechworth region are Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, and more. The climate is cool, and the soil is composed of granite.

There are more than two dozen vineyards in Beechworth. Most vineyards are operated by family units. A few are not open to the public. However, some will see you by appointment.

Beechworth’s early vines were reportedly planted in 1856. These vines were likely sourced from James Busby’s cuttings. The town had 70 hectares in the early 1890s.

Wineries in Beechworth make some of the finest chardonnay in Australia. The climate allows for premium production of several different varieties. The terroir ensures a balance of fruit and flavours in the wines.

Beechworth is a town of around 4,900 people. Its main street is lined with eateries and heritage shopfronts. It is a lively tourist destination. It is located in the foothills of the Victorian Alps. It is a place where the gold rush left its mark.

In the early 19th century, Beechworth produced quality wine from its early vines. This led to a rapid growth in the community. The town became a bustling tourist destination, and was home to many of Australia’s first producers. The gold rush of the 1800s also left beautiful gardens and National Trust-listed buildings.

Today, the Beechworth wine region is growing steadily. It shares a zone with the Alpine Valleys, Rutherglen, and Glenrowan. Although there are a few vineyards, the wine industry is small. The resultant wine is largely sold through cellar doors.

Restaurants

The town of Beechworth is on the edge of the Victorian High Country. It is a great place to stay while exploring the region, or to stop off on a road trip between Melbourne and Canberra. There are a number of restaurants in Beechworth.

There are a number of different restaurants and cafes in Beechworth, and most are open on weekdays. A few of the more notable restaurants include: TINY, The Central Milkbar, and Provenance.

TINY is a new cafe that opened in Beechworth in 2020. Using Sixpence Coffee, TINY serves the best coffee in Beechworth. The cafe also serves local meats and cheese. The menu includes Italian-inspired dishes. The cafe accepts credit card orders and offers a few discounts for online bookings.

The restaurant at the Empire Hotel in Beechworth is one of the most popular restaurants in Victoria. The intimate dining room features polished original Baltic pine floors. There is live music, and the food and wine menu is a mix of classics and spins on them. The menu also features regional boutique beers and ciders.

Billson’s Wine Shop, located in Beechworth’s historic printery, is a great place to sample wines from north-east Victoria. It has a tasting room and a speakeasy bar, and also stocks imported and domestic wines, charcuterie, and cheese.

The Ox and Hound Bistro, a local favourite, is a laid-back eatery serving rustic French and Italian cooking. The menu features wines from surrounding regions and local Beechworth wines. This is a family run business that uses local produce, and the kitchen is run by the owner’s wife, Jeanette.

The Provenance Restaurant in Beechworth, owned by Chef Michael Ryan and his wife Jeanette, is a top-notch restaurant. This fine-dining establishment consistently places in the Gourmet Traveller’s Top 100 Restaurants in the world.

Lake Kerferd to Lake Sambell walk

There are many walking tracks throughout Beechworth that offer visitors the chance to explore this beautiful town. Some of the more popular ones include the Beechworth to Lake Kerferd walk, and the historic Murray to Mountains Rail Trail.

A good start to exploring Beechworth is to visit the Beechworth Visitors Information Centre. From there, a path leads you to Lake Sambell, and the lake is the perfect place to stop and take a look around. The Lake is a great family destination, and has a boat ramp.

There are also a number of old mine shafts that you can investigate. During the gold mining era, deep vertical shafts were dug to reach gold deposits. The mine shafts are quite deep, and can be a dangerous place to visit.

There are also plenty of old and historical buildings to see in Beechworth. The town has a rich history, including 32 National Trust listed buildings. This has made it one of Victoria’s best-preserved historic gold mining towns.

If you’re looking for a more adventurous walk, you might like to try the five-kilometre Gorge Scenic Drive. This scenic walk offers scenic views of the rugged countryside.

You can also take in the Beechworth to Lake Kerferd Walk, which includes several steep hills. This walk takes about 40 minutes to complete. It includes a fire road and single track. The path is also well signposted. The walk is dog friendly, but dogs are only permitted during Christmas and Easter breaks.

Beechworth is a scenic, dog-friendly town in north-eastern Victoria. It’s located near Wangaratta and Bright. It’s a 4 hour drive from Melbourne, and has a wealth of interesting sights and attractions.

Woolshed Falls

Beechworth Victoria is a lovely little town. It is a great place to visit, whether it’s for a day trip or a weekend getaway. It has a nice mix of old and new. It is also home to some interesting historical sites and museums.

One of the highlights is the Beechworth Historic Park, which contains a number of historical points of interest. It is the site of a series of waterfalls sourced from Spring Creek. It is also home to an impressive number of heritage listed buildings, most of which were built during the 1860s.

Another must-see attraction is Woolshed Falls. It was an important part of the gold mining history of Australia. It was used to extract alluvial gold from the river upstream. In the late nineteenth century, it was the center of the richest gold fields in Victoria. It is a wonderful spot to take a picnic.

The waterfall is only a few minutes drive from Beechworth. It is also part of the Chiltern-Mount Pilot National Park. It has a viewing platform and a trail. The best time to see the falls is early in the summer.

Other notable sights include the Ned Kelly courthouse, Mayday Hills Lunatic Asylum and the Yeddonba Aboriginal heritage site. There are also a number of boutique wineries. Some of the more impressive cellar doors are Pennyweight Wines, Eldorado Road and Indigo Vineyard.

If you want to learn more about Beechworth, check out the information center. There are guided tours and the Beechworth Town History Walk.

You could even take a tour of the Mayday Hills Lunatic Asylum. The place is home to 11-hectare gardens, which are dotted with art works, fountains and statues.