We’ve thought very carefully about how you’re going to experience everything we’ve
kept for you. So, we’ve created some exciting drives, gentle bike and walking tracks, all of which criss-cross the Gorge area on the northern side of the town.
The walks connect fascinating sites that tell our adventure story about the search for
gold: the Powder Magazine, the Spring Creek Cascades, The Precipice, Reids Creek
Goldfields, Woolshed Falls, Ingrams Rock, and Fiddes Granite Quarry – all made themore enjoyable by delicious local produce and wineries along the way!
BEECHWORTH FOREST DRIVE
This scenic drive takes you through part of the Beechworth Historic Park, the orchard industry, pine plantations and sections of the Stanley State Forest. The panoramic views from Murmungee Lookout provide the perfect backdrop to showcase remarkable mixed species of eucalyptus trees: Red Stringybark, Blue Gum, Broadleaf and Narrowleaf Peppermint. Here you’ll encounter wildlife such as black wallabies, wombats, echidnas and several species of possum and glider. Native orchids, green-flowered Correa, purple-flowered Chocolate Lily and other wildflowers are prolific to this area.
The best time to view this profusion of colour is early spring. This is the best way to experience our gold-mining history in its natural splendor. Here, you’ll see remains of mining activity: mine shafts, sluiced out banks, and tunnels dotted through the trees.
There are picturesque picnic areas, such as Lake Kerferd or Fletchers Dam. Swimming in Lake Kerferd is no longer permitted; however, fishing is possible 12 months of the year.
STANLEY TOWNSHIP
The Beechworth Forest Drive takes you past the hamlet of Stanley, once a bustling goldmining town during the 1850’s. The town had a number of hotels, a bakery, general store, boot maker, carpenter, butcher, saw mill, brewery and inn. Today, Stanley has a general store and an inn, which stands on the original site of the old Star Hotel. In season, there is a delicious array of local produce: apples, nuts and berries for purchase. Close to Stanley township is Mt Stanley, with spectacular views from the summit of the Victorian Alps and surrounding forest.
GORGE SCENIC DRIVE
Expect to witness some breathtaking scenes as you drive around the northern and western outskirts of Beechworth through rocky mountain terrain. This drive takes in several lookouts along the way with spectacular views of granite valleys, waterfalls and the remains of mining activity. There is a magnificent sweeping view north to the hills that contains Ned Kelly’s lookout, North East Victoria’s infamous bushranger.
North East Victoria is rich in natural resources. There are several impressive displays of granite along this drive: the Granite Tors, where the granite has been weathered into strange and unusual shapes and Fiddes Quarry where you can easily imagine the quarry-men still at work. Newtown Bridge, built in 1875, provides a fine example of granite structure and Scottish stone-masonry. Just one hundred metres upstream is the site of the first gold discovery in Beechworth.
Other interesting walks and places to visit nearby are Woolshed Falls, the Eldorado Reserve, Mt Pilot Lookout, Aboriginal rock art and Warby Range State Park.
