Beechworth is on the traditional lands of the Wiradjuri, Wavereoo, Dhudhuroa, Min-jan-buttu and Ya-itma-thang people, who collectively make up the Pallanganmiddang nation. It’s about three hours from Melbourne. People used to visit en route to the Victorian alpine region ski fields but it’s become its own destination now, known for its well-preserved gold rush-era sandstone buildings.
Before they closed in 1995 and 2004, respectively, most residents worked at Beechworth Asylum (also known as Mayday Hills) and Beechworth Gaol. Later, Beechworth Bakery (which opened in 1984) got popular for its pies and cakes, more things opened and now tourism is the main industry.
Food
Lots of people have tree-changed here so the area’s gentrified a lot, but a plus side is the food scene has vastly improved. Bandit is part of the recent boom of sandwich places. It only does five or six fillings, and they’re made to order. The Reuben is excellent.
Bridge Road Brewers opened 20 years ago. Its first beer, a pale ale, is usually the top-rated Victorian beer in the Gabs Hottest 100 countdown. It’s in a gold rush-era coach house and serves the best pizza in town. There’s a playground where adults can see their kids while they eat and drink, so it’s a relaxed dinner spot for families.
Provenance is Beechworth’s only fine dining restaurant. It’s Japanese food by award-winning chef Michael Ryan. It’s set in a grand old bank with high ceilings that still feels date-night intimate. The set menu of 18 small dishes is $170 so it’s mainly for milestone birthdays or anniversaries.
We have about 20 coffee spots and only two main streets! I like Tiny. You run into people there and it’s licensed after 11am. I DJ there some evenings, and they serve cocktails on weekends.
Coffee snobs rate Little Nev highly. It’s open 6am until midday and serves out of a former horse float parked in an old service station. Project 49 is an Italian provedore selling local goods from small-scale producers: meat, wine, cheese, condiments and excellent coffee.
Nature
The traditional name for Beechworth is Baarmutha, or Barmootha, which translates to “place of many creeks”. It’s known for its excellent…
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