Take a journey back in time exploring the hisoric towns of Yackandandah and Beechworth.

Begin - Your trip begins at the SS&A Club’s David Street Portico.

1. Travel South (crossing the Murray River) to Yackandandah where you may choose to have a delicious morning tea at Keeble’s Garden Centre/Timber Gallery Café

2. Take your time for as leisurely stroll through Yackandandah. In 1856 the township was surveyed, land sales began in the following year, and substantial buildings were constructed. The town retains a wealth of its Victorian architecture, and picturesque tree lined streets.
Many buildings, sites, trees, and the commercial core of town are now listed by the Australian Heritage Commission, Heritage Victoria and the National Trust.

3. Once you have fully absorbed the richness of Yackandandah continue South-West to the famously historic town of Beechworth.

4. Following the discovery of gold in 1852, Beechworth flourished and soon became a major regional centre. The tiny township grew quickly as thousands of eager miners flocked to the area, lured by the glint of gold and dreams of striking it rich.
Today Beechworth has more than 30 outstanding buildings classified by the National Trust, a legacy of the gold rush era, which yielded more than four million ounces of gold. With wide, tree-lined streets, deep granite gutters and shady, century old verandahs, Beechworth’s historic streetscape remains almost intact.
The main streets, which once rang with the clamour and excitement of the gold rush, are now a shopper’s paradise, housing specialty shops, old wares, galleries, antiques, pottery, cafes, restaurants, bakeries and historic pubs.

5. Make sure you check out some of Beechworth's most historic buildings detailed at the bottom of this page.

6. Time for tucker! Have some lunch at any one of the many delightful Beechworth establishments (hint: try the pies!).

7. Return to Albury SS&A club for dinner and debriefing.

Must-see Attractions

Beechworth’s Burke Museum
Erected in 1857, the building changed its name in 1863 to honour the explorer Robert O’Hara Burke. Burke was the Police Superintendent in Beechworth from 1854-1858. It is one of the best provincial museums in Victoria.

Beechworth’s Court House
One of the finest remaining gold rush court houses in Australia. Built in 1858, the Court House served many judicial purposes until its closure in 1989. the courtroom was the scene of countless trials involving Ned Kelly, his mother Ellen, bushranger Harry Power and Elizabeth Scott. Sir Isaac Isaacs began his legal career here and Sir Redmond Barry presided over many cases in this courtroom.

Murray Breweries
This historic brewery was built in 1865 while Beechworth was at the height of the Gold Rush. The original owner was George Billson, hence the name on the building of "Billsons Brewery", however over the next fifty years it underwent a number of name changes until 1916 when the current name of Murray Breweries was established.

The site was chosen because a natural mineral spring occurred here and the pure water has been used in all the beverages to this day.

During the 1920’s due to the intervention of a temperance group the production of beer ceased, although Stout continued to be made for another thirty years. It was at this time a soft drink and cordial factory was started. The brewery also houses a unique cellar museum containing a large bottle collection, brewing equipment, worldwide label collection and other memorabilia.

The Beechworth Carriage Museum is also located at the Breweries’ site. The National Trust of Australia’s (Victoria) collection consists of twenty horse drawn vehicles recalling transport of the 19th and early 20th century. Many vehicles remain as a direct link with Beechworth’s past, having been used in the town and neighbouring areas.