Established in the North East of Victoria as part of the Indigo Shire in 1853, Beechworth Australia has a unique story to tell. This fascinating settlement is sunny, with a temperate climate well suited to viticulture, particularly on sloping terrain at 1200 yards above sea level. Grape vines thrive in granitic loam soils formed over gravel and clay.
The golden horseshoe logo for Beechworth, rightly suggests that the economy of this town was originally driven by gold. Today the agricultural industry buoys up the economy.
This interesting town has kept its history from fading into insignificance by keeping many restored relics in the public eye, like old coach houses, for instance. Some of these have been styled to become accommodation for visiting tourists. Lake Sambell, which was where the past gold mining operations undertook hydraulic sluicing has also been transformed into a lovely recreational area.
There are a number of dams that provide venues for swimming, fishing or simply picnicking. A visit to the nearby Woolshed Falls north of Beechworth reveals a spectacular waterfall.
The enthusiasm of its residents has culminated in Beechworth receiving a few prestigious awards, such as winning the 'Australian Tidy Towns Awards in 2009 and 2011, as well as being recognized for success in 'litter prevention' and also for 'energy innovation'.
Whether the area is explored privately on foot, by guided tour, or from the seat of a mountain bike, the historic past combines well with the exquisite beauty of the surrounds to provide an unforgettable experience.
Many annual festivals draw visitors to the area which all pay tribute to the unique past of the Beechworth, like a festival to commemorate the infamous outlaw Ned Kelly's committal hearing, before he was imprisoned in August 1880, and eventually hung.
Each year the families of Chinese that came over during the rush for gold finding a home in the Ovens hold a Chinese festival to celebrate their cultural heritage. They quickly formed a China Town, which still exists today. Other festivals and functions founded on past historic events occur throughout the year and attract visitors with a taste for different types of experiences.
People with four-wheel-drive vehicles can also experience the town in a unique way, following challenging tracks that pass around or through forests and old mining sites or abandoned hamlets. A steep road up to the summit of Mt Stanley is worth the effort for the views.
For the more active, one of the best known and prestigious Mountain Bike Parks in Australia offering an unequalled riding adventure is easy to access. Those who enjoy walking will find excellent walks to see plenty of bird life and small wild life in 'Chiltern - Mt Pilot' Park, which boasts the highest number of mammal, reptile and bird species at any Box-Ironbark site.
Shopping in Beechwood Australia offers its own experience, as would a trip to the Burke Museum or an art gallery; while an evening spent enjoying some excellent local wines, before heading off on a ghost hunt, would round off a visit to this unusual destination with an abnormally wide range of fascinating things to experience.
The golden horseshoe logo for Beechworth, rightly suggests that the economy of this town was originally driven by gold. Today the agricultural industry buoys up the economy.
This interesting town has kept its history from fading into insignificance by keeping many restored relics in the public eye, like old coach houses, for instance. Some of these have been styled to become accommodation for visiting tourists. Lake Sambell, which was where the past gold mining operations undertook hydraulic sluicing has also been transformed into a lovely recreational area.
There are a number of dams that provide venues for swimming, fishing or simply picnicking. A visit to the nearby Woolshed Falls north of Beechworth reveals a spectacular waterfall.
The enthusiasm of its residents has culminated in Beechworth receiving a few prestigious awards, such as winning the 'Australian Tidy Towns Awards in 2009 and 2011, as well as being recognized for success in 'litter prevention' and also for 'energy innovation'.
Whether the area is explored privately on foot, by guided tour, or from the seat of a mountain bike, the historic past combines well with the exquisite beauty of the surrounds to provide an unforgettable experience.
Many annual festivals draw visitors to the area which all pay tribute to the unique past of the Beechworth, like a festival to commemorate the infamous outlaw Ned Kelly's committal hearing, before he was imprisoned in August 1880, and eventually hung.
Each year the families of Chinese that came over during the rush for gold finding a home in the Ovens hold a Chinese festival to celebrate their cultural heritage. They quickly formed a China Town, which still exists today. Other festivals and functions founded on past historic events occur throughout the year and attract visitors with a taste for different types of experiences.
People with four-wheel-drive vehicles can also experience the town in a unique way, following challenging tracks that pass around or through forests and old mining sites or abandoned hamlets. A steep road up to the summit of Mt Stanley is worth the effort for the views.
For the more active, one of the best known and prestigious Mountain Bike Parks in Australia offering an unequalled riding adventure is easy to access. Those who enjoy walking will find excellent walks to see plenty of bird life and small wild life in 'Chiltern - Mt Pilot' Park, which boasts the highest number of mammal, reptile and bird species at any Box-Ironbark site.
Shopping in Beechwood Australia offers its own experience, as would a trip to the Burke Museum or an art gallery; while an evening spent enjoying some excellent local wines, before heading off on a ghost hunt, would round off a visit to this unusual destination with an abnormally wide range of fascinating things to experience.
About the Author:
Karl Larkins is regarded as a long term Beechworth person with an interest on native situations. He works as a freelance correspondent and is in addition a daily photo contributor to an array of tourism magazines. Karl's Independence will make him a perfect narrator for many Beechworth issues.