Beechworth is a lovely gold rush town in regional Victoria and a great location for a holiday with kids.
Here’s my top list of places to go and things to do in Beechworth that’s great for families.
Our visit has previously been supported by Tourism North East, though we have visited the town and its surrounds many times on our own.
Things to Do in Beechworth
1. Go for a walk around Lake Sambell
There are a number of different walks starting from Beechworth township and one of the most scenic is around Lake Sambell. There is also a Beechworth-themed playground on the shore which is shaded and popular with families having parties and picnics. There are public toilets and BBQ facilities there.
2. Quercus Community Bookshop
Country towns always have the best second-hand book stores and we like visiting them especially to buy holiday reading. All books at Quercus Community Bookshop are donated and proceeds from Quercus go towards the services provided by the Beechworth Neighbourhood House.
Quercus Community Bookshop cnr Ford and Church St, Beechworth (03) 5728 2388
3. Beechworth Honey Experience
Beechworth Honey has a honey concept store on the main street. The building comprises a shop, cafe and a free educational honey tour which consists of a series of videos. The best bit about our visit is the honey ice cream!
Beechworth Honey Experience Cnr Ford & Church Streets, Beechworth 03 5728 1432
4. Cycle the Murray to the Mountains Rail Trail
If you want to ride around Beechworth or the surrounds you can hire free recreational town bikes from Bridge Road Brewers or Four Seasons Cottage has two to lend out (with helmet and locks). I use the bike to cycle into town to get provisions and do a few kms of the scenic and relatively easy stretch of the Murray to the Mountains Rail Trail on the outskirts of town. If you have older kids you may like to walk/cycle the 5km Gorge Scenic Drive at Beechworth Historic Park.
5. Find some of the best waterfalls in Victoria
Inside Beechworth Historic Park there are a series of waterfalls from which Spring Creek drops down into the valley. You can enjoy views of waterfalls and the rugged countryside on the Gorge Walk.
Also Woolshed Falls is a popular destination inside Chiltern-Mt Pilot National Park. A 6km walking track links Woolshed Falls to Beechworth via the Cascades.
A short 30min walking track leads to a view of Raymond Creek Falls plunging metres into a deep, clear pool. You can also enjoy a picnic or take a self-guided walk around the alluvial gold workings.
An observation deck provides views to falls and the valley below, which is particularly spectacular after heavy rainfalls.
Woolshed Falls, BeechworthÂ
Related: Best waterfalls in Victoria
Where to eat in Beechworth
6. Bridge Road Brewers
Bridge Road Brewers has a family-friendly environment for craft beer and wood-fired pizzas. Full review
Bridge Road Brewers, Old Coach House Brewers Lane, 50 Ford Street Beechworth 03 5728 2703
7. Beechworth Bakery
The original Beechworth Bakery is of course in Beechworth and it’s an institution in the town. It sells lots of old-fashioned bakery items and I like their sweets more than savouries – their Beesting is very famous and is like a giant custard puff.
Beechworth Bakery 27 Camp Street, Beechworth 1300 233 784
Find Hotels and Airbnbs in Beechworth, Victoria
8. Cellar Door Wine Store
Cellar Door Wine Store is a wine store that specialises in local wineries (especially wineries that don’t have a cellar door for the public) that also serve cheese and charcuterie platters and other nibbles. While it’s not strictly family friendly you can enjoy cakes and nibbles. I have a slice of pillowy orange cake which was made by the owner of the Four Seasons Cottage!
Cellar Door Wine Store 62 Ford Street, Beechworth 03 5728 2882
9. Goldfields Greengrocer
Goldfields Greengrocer is a small but surprisingly well-stocked grocer with ready-made pasta meals, soups and cheese as well as fruit and veg. We buy our Weetbix, yoghurt, bananas and ice cream from there.
Goldfields Greengrocer 61 Ford Street, Beechworth (03) 5728 2303
10. The Ageing Frog Fish Bar
The Ageing Frog Fish Bar is touted by some as the best fish and chips in Victoria and their potato cakes are legendary. Despite the fact that Beechworth is landlocked fresh fish does come up the highway regularly.
The mound of chips you get is astonishing, so don’t order anything but a small serve ($3). As for the potato cake, we aren’t that impressed to be honest…but you be the judge.
My big discover is actually their winter-warming seafood bisque with flecks of crab meat inside a thick fragrant broth. A large serve is an unbelievable $12 – it is a dish that could easily be twice or even three times in the cost in a fancy restaurant. Unfortunately they don’t sell it cold/frozen to have your fill of the soup while you’re in town.
Ageing Frog Fish Bar, 68 Ford Street, Beechworth 03 5728 2046
11. The Ox and the Hound
Enjoy Italian-inspired cuisine in a classy but still relaxed restaurant on the main street of Beechworth.
12. Press Wine Room
The Spanish tapas and wine bar is more of an adult venue but on Sunday mornings they are open for brunch from 8:30am and the place is filled with families! Highly recommend the waffles and the breakfast tortilla as well as the cosy surroundings.
13. Project 49
An upmarket provender with a bacon and egg brioche roll that sells out every day!
14. The Collective
A cosy little cafe on the main street with pastries from amazing pastries stocked from Frankie’s in Albury.
15. Beechworth Sweet Company
Beechworth Sweet Company is an old-fashioned sweets shop that’s the perfect stop for a long car drive home. You’ll find items made onsite (highly recommend the toasted marshmallows) as well as imported sweets from England, Ireland and America. Set a budget (and maybe a time frame) and enjoy a sweet childhood memory.
16. The Plough Inn
Twenty minutes out of town is The Plough Inn a family-friendly gastropub in Tarrawingee. Full review.
The Plough Inn 2322 Beechworth-Wangaratta Rd, Tarrawingee 03 5725 1609
Where to Stay in Beechworth
17. The Four Seasons Cottage
The Four Seasons Cottage is the perfect base for our family. The house is very spacious, with an open plan kitchen, a fireplace we light at night and three large bedrooms so that T and I don’t have to sleep in the same room as either of the kids, meaning a restful evening for all.
They are also able to provide a portacot, a highchair for Baby 2.0 and even an antique rocking chair! The kids are too young for the other toys, books and board games but it doesn’t matter as there was loads of space for them to explore, inside and out. The large garden is particularly fun for Lady AB, who just ran laps from one end to the other.
The Four Seasons Cottage 36 Finch St, Beechworth
18. Gladstone House
Gladstone House is a charming cosy cottage within walking distance of the centre of town that’s perfect for families. It offers 2 bedrooms, a modern bathroom, a lounge with a wood fire place, a very well appointed kitchen and landscaped gardens (and even a bocce/petanque kit).
There are heaters and cosy blankets in every bedroom so highly recommend it for a winter visit!
Things to do in Bright with kids
Best waterfalls in Victoria
This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase using the links there is no extra cost to you and I earn a small commission that helps me to provide free, valuable and useful information for you! Thanks Joyce
Comments are closed.