The Beechworth Historic and Cultural Precinct, a nationally significant collection of Heritage Victoria, National Estate and National Trust-listed buildings, offers one of Australia’s best heritage tourism experiences with its links to the gold rushes of 1850s and the legendary bushranger, Ned Kelly.
This fascinating destination is perfect for tour groups of all ages. Our friendly Visitor Information Centre staff can tailor an informative and enjoyable itinerary to help your school or organisation get the most out of a visit to this very special part of the world.
The Precinct is the jewel in the crown of Beechworth, with its wide, tree-lined avenues and unspoiled heritage streetscapes. In the years following the discovery of gold in 1852, more than 8000 miners flocked to the area with dreams of striking it rich. As the town’s population grew, so too did the need for improved government services and the collection of buildings now known as the Historic & Cultural Precinct was developed as a result.
Visiting the Historic & Cultural Precinct
School Groups
School students of all ages enjoy an interactive visit to the Precinct.
History is brought to life in an entertaining and educational way by our expert tour guides through lively presentations and interactive costumed role plays. Students learn about colourful characters and events from the past when they visit these fascinating buildings with their collections of historical artefacts, documents, soundscapes, audio visual presentations, original furniture and fittings.
They will discover what it was like to live in 19th Century Beechworth, how trials were conducted, what it feels like to stand in the same dock where Ned Kelly stood, how news was communicated and what life was like for the miners, including the thousands of Chinese, who came to Beechworth in search of gold.
Precinct School Tours cater for the needs of a range of subjects within both the Victorian and NSW school curriculum frameworks.
Coach and Tour Groups
Your organisation or group can choose a package that includes either guided presentations or self-guided visits to individual Historic & Cultural Precinct buildings.
Guided tours can include a range of enjoyable options such as participation in costumed roleplays based on actual court transcripts in the Historic Courthouse and entertainment by one of Australia’s best loved bush balladeers in the amazing Street of Shops, a recreation of the Beechworth shopping centre of the 1850s in the Burke Museum.
Whatever your organisation chooses, our friendly team are there to ensure a great day out for everyone on board. They will happily answer questions or share their amazing wealth of knowledge of the people and events so integral to Beechworth’s history.
The Beechworth Historic & Cultural Precinct
Courthouse (1858)
It was here that Australia’s most famous bushranger, Ned Kelly, was committed to stand trial for murder. His mother Ellen, brothers Dan and Jim and Uncle Jim Kelly also faced charges in this courtroom. Elizabeth Scott, the first woman hanged in Victoria, was sentenced to death there. Still with its original furnishings and fittings, many other famous names of Australian history had links with the Beechworth Courthouse including the ill-fated explorer, Robert O’Hara Burke, Sir Redmond Barry and the first Australian-born Governor General, Sir Isaac Isaacs.
Telegraph Station (1858)
Morse Code once linked Beechworth to the outside world. From here, messages and news, including famously, the Kelly Gang siege at Glenrowan were transmitted. Still operational via the international Morse Code Fraternity, the building also honours the area’s early surveyors.
Town Hall (1858)
Now home to the Beechworth Visitor Information Centre and the excellent big-screen presentation, Echoes of History, this grand building also includes Harry Powers’ Cell, a small holding cell in its original condition, in which Harry Power, the “Gentleman Bushranger” and mentor to a young Ned Kelly, spent many months on remand.
Robert O’Hara Burke Memorial Museum (1857)
Named in honour of Beechworth’s Police Superintendent, and later, ill-fated member of the Burke and Wills expedition, the Burke is one of Australia’s best regional museums. Its fascinating and extensive collections include natural history, the goldfields, Chinese influences and the nationally significant R.E. Johns collection of Aboriginal artefacts dating from the first half of the 19th Century. One of the original Ned Kelly death masks and a rare Tasmanian Tiger are also on display.
Gold Office & Sub-Treasury (c1856)
More than four million ounces of gold was extracted from the goldfields of this area, in today’s money, worth billions of dollars. The Sub-Treasury was purpose-built to store the precious stuff before its transfer to Melbourne.
Powder Magazine (1859)
This rare building, restored by the National Trust in 1966, was built to store large amounts of gunpowder used in mining and quarrying. It was ingeniously designed so that any explosion would be directed upwards rather than outwards.
Also worth a visit…
Several other Precinct buildings dating from the Gold Era can be included in your group’s next visit to Beechworth including the Chinese Protector’s Office, Gold Warden’s Office and the Stone Lock-up. Find out more when you contact our Visitor Information Centre staff about planning your school or organisation’s Beechworth itinerary.
How to plan your group’s Historic & Cultural Precinct tour
How to book
Contact the Beechworth Visitor Information Centre staff for advice on how to best tailor an itinerary to suit your school or organisation’s needs. They will ensure your visit is enjoyable as well as educational, and they’ll look after your accommodation needs too.
Where to find us
Beechworth is an easy three-hour drive on the Hume Freeway from Melbourne, 30 minutes from Wangaratta, 40 minutes from Albury Wodonga, under three hours from Wagga Wagga, five hours from Canberra and eight hours by road from Sydney. Regular train services between Melbourne and Sydney stop at both Wangaratta and Chiltern, 20 minutes by road from Beechworth.
Parking
Excellent coach parking is available. Amenities are available for coach crew as well as access to shelter and picnic tables for group catering if required.
Disabled access
Wheelchair access is available in the Burke Museum and Town Hall, with limited access to the inside of the Courthouse. Toilets people with disabilities are located next to the Precinct area.
More Beechworth Group Activities
Pat's Town Tours
Professional historian Pat Doyle will amaze you with his passion about Beechworth’s golden history.
Pat talks about the important significance of
The discovery of gold in 1852
Beechworth Cemetery & Chinese Burning Towers
Beechworth Historic & Cultural Precinct buildings
The Old Beechworth Goal
Local legends, Sir Isaac Isaacs, Robert O’Hara Burke & Ned Kelly
Amulet Vineyard
Amulet Vineyard is set in a panoramic landscape with long distance views over the surrounding valleys. Lunch and afternoon tea in a bushland setting is available to groups, by prior arrangement, featuring platters of regional produce.
Our function room can cater for 100 people in airconditioned comfort, with wonderful views and outdoor seating. Our lunches feature regional produce of charcuterie platters of smoked meats, cheese platters with Milawa bread. In winter, hearty soups, and in summer, fresh salads, followed by homemade cakes and coffee. Click Here to Download Amulet Vineyard Group Fact Sheet
