Victoria's best preserved gold town, Beechworth, lies cradled in the foothills of the Australian Alps. Declared a Notable Town one of only two in Victoria, it has over thirty buildings listed by the National Trust. This fascinating and beautiful area is a place of marked contrasts...... tumbling waterfalls, quiet streams, deep rocky gorges and placid valleys with cattle grazing where towns have long since vanished and where miners of bygone days toiled in search of gold.

Over four million ounces of gold - 115 tones or approx. two billion dollars (1997 prices) were found in the first 14 years after its discovery in 1852. The town's wide tree-lined streets and solid dignified buildings, still in their original splendour, are reminiscent of the bustling gold days when the streets rang with the clamour and excitement of the quest for gold.

The town was closely associated with the infamous Ned Kelly and his gang. You can visit the cell where he was held in his youth and see the gaol where he, his mother and sympathisers were imprisoned, and the court house where his final trial commenced.

A range of galleries and potteries, in addition to the many and varied tourist attractions are fascinating places to visit. They offer a vast array of hand-made and locally produced handcrafts. The many specialty shops have for sale unique and

interesting merchandise. Beechworth has a range of recreational opportunities unequalled in quality and variety, including gold and gemstone fossicking, fishing, 4 wheel driving, bushwalking and exploring.

Beechworth has accommodation for everyone - hotels, motels, guest-houses, Bed and Breakfasts, hostels, caravan parks and cabins. Quality restaurants, coffee shops and eating places offer excellent local produce and foods to suit all tastes. Our local wineries produce some of the finest reds and whites in the area.

Beechworth's central location, proximity to the wineries snowfields and waterways.... Together with its spectacular scenery and wealth of history, makes it an ideal base from which to discover the north-east region of Victoria.

*Reproduced with the permission of Indigo Shire Council.

History

Originally named Mayday Hills, the area was used for grazing by the settler David Reid until the discovery of gold in February 1852. Reid abandoned Mayday Hills to the thousands of hopefuls who rushed to the alluvial gold fields in search of their fortunes. There was a population of 8,000 in the area by late 1852.

From a canvas and timber settlement, rapid social and economic change occurred with the arrival of miners' families and businesses to support the growing community. The town was renamed to Beechworth in 1853. Over four million ounces of gold were found in the first 14 years after its discovery.

The town's early administrators had the vision to realise the gold would not last forever and make substantial investment in public services. A hospital for the aged, gaol, general hospital and lunatic asylum were all constructed or upgraded during the 1850s and 60s. It was the presence of these institutions that maintained the economic strength of Beechworth after the gold years and into the 1990s.

Murray to the Mountains Rail Trail

Experience the beautiful Ovens Valley by walking or cycling along the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail. This is an old, disused railway line that has recently been converted into a walking and cycling track, and is now available for public use.

This section of Rail Trail is part of the Victorian Rail Trail Project which is setting the pace in converting "rails to trails". Changed transport needs have left a network of disused railway lines across the state, which offer tremendous opportunities for recreation and tourism. By the time the project is completed, a total of 700 km of disused railway line will be converted to tracks for the public to enjoy.