If you’re a history buff…
Beechworth
There are many places to go in Victoria to learn about the state’s history, but one that really leans into its past is Beechworth, in the northeast part of the state. A gold rush town, Beechworth has the traditional architecture of the 19th century, with many well-preserved historical buildings.
Northern Victoria is Ned Kelly country, and don’t they know it. The famous bushranger, his mother and other members of the Kelly Gang spent a fair bit of time in the Old Beechworth Gaol ( Cnr Williams & Ford Sts, Beechworth 3747. oldbeechworthgaol.com.au. Tours Mon-fri 11am; Sat, Sun 11am & 1pm. $10-$15) and Beechworth Historic Courthouse
( 94 Ford St, Beechworth 3747. 03 5728 8066. www.bourkemuseum.com.au. Daily 9am-5pm. $12-$15 for access to the Burke Museum, Ned Kelly Vault and Courthouse). The courthouse is cleverly set up, with speakers positioned at key spots playing the sounds of local actors recreating important trials. Need more Ned? The Ned Kelly Vault has the largest collection of Ned Kelly memorabilia in the world, and you can see historical photographs, implements that might have been used by the Kelly Gang and even a door with some bullet holes in it, said to be from a raid on the famous outlaw gang
( 94 Ford St, Beechworth 3747).
Visit the Beechworth Telegraph Station to learn about this crucial form of communication throughout the 19th and 20th centuries – did you know that telegraph was the only way anyone knew about the bombing of Darwin during World War II? ( 92 Ford St, Beechworth 3747. 03 5728 8065. www.bourkemuseum.com. au. Free. Daily 10am-4pm). Local guides are knowledgeable and helpful, full of interesting facts and historical tidbits.
The Robert O’hara Burke Memorial Museum is also worth visiting, with more than 30,000 items documenting Aboriginal, Chinese, gold mining, 19th-century and natural history
( Loch St, Beechworth 3747. 03 5728 8067. Daily 10am-5pm).
Bendigo
You can learn more about Victoria’s history in the gold rush city of Bendigo, about a two-hour drive from Melbourne. Gold was discovered in them thar hills in the 1850s, and prospectors ultimately discovered some $9 billion in gold in the region. Some of that money was put into the urban design and buildings, many of which were designed in an ornate European style to show off their owners’ wealth.
Stroll along the city’s wide boulevards in the self-guided heritage walk ( downloadable online at www.bendigoregion.com.au/explore-bendigo/ take-a-heritage-walk) to learn about the city’s history and culture. Feeling a bit footsore? Bendigo’s historical trams (sorry, Melbourne, but you’re not the only one with trams) are another way to see the city, while getting a running commentary stuffed full of fascinating facts thrown into the bargain. The Golden Dragon Museum ( 1/11 Bridge St, Bendigo 3550. 03 5441 5044. www.goldendragonmuseum.org. Tue-sun 9.30am-5pm. $10-$12) is definitely worth a visit to learn about the Chinese history in Bendigo, and you can also take a guided tour through the former Sandhurst Gaol, now the Ulumbarra Theatre ( 10 Gaol Rd, Bendigo 3550. 03 5434 6100. www.bendigotourism.com/tours/ bendigo/sandhurst-gaol-tour. Tours Tue 11am & Sat 11am. $10-$15). The Central Deborah Gold Mine is open to the public to get a sense of what life was like for 19th-century gold miners ( 76 Violet St, Bendigo 3550. 03 5443 8322. www. central-deborah.com. Daily 9.30am-4.30pm. $5-$6.50). The mine even offers the chance to try your hand at panning for the precious metal.