Ahoy - Mac's Web Log

A telegraph pole burnt in half by the onrushing bush fire

On the spur of the moment we decided to make a two day visit to Beechworth, about 300 kilometers north east of Melbourne. A quick visit to the internet brought forth a likely place to stay there, the Country Charm Swiss Cottages. A phone call confirmed a booking in their Special Occasions Cottage for Wednesday and Thursday the 3rd. and 4th. of July.

On Wednesday morning we took off about 10 AM, making our way up the Hume Highway, the route one takes to reach Sydney. A stop at Eurora for lunch, thence north to Wangaratta, a turn to the right, to arrive at Beechworth about 2.30 PM.

These five charming cottages nestle on a hillside looking to the NE, with a great view of the surrounding hills and countryside. Our cottage at the bottom of the hill opened up to a living and kitchen area with a paved floor, and featured a large open fireplace, see the accompanying photograph. A spacious bedroom with a canopied queen sized brass bed beckoned, off it, a bathroom fitted with a spacious luxurious corner spa that would obviously be used each morning of our stay. The cottage nicely appointed, and we were very pleased with our choice.

Outside view of our cottage in Beechworth

Breakfast Supplies.
Breakfast supplies were either in the fridge or in the basket. Fresh farm eggs, bacon, orange juice, milk, bread, butter, jams, two cereals, rolled oats for porridge, museli, tea coffee etc, all well thought out, and the necessary utensils all there. I said to Denise, " I bet there isn't an orange/lemon squeezer in the cupboard" absolutely wrong, there was, everything one needed had been thought about and provided.

Recommendation.
In many years of travelling this world of ours, and staying in all sorts of accommodation, we have found this one to be quite lovely. We have no hesitation in commending this site to anyone wanting a few days away in a romantic setting where your needs have been anticipated.

A view inside our cottage at Beechworth

January 2003 Bush Fires.
This area was in the midst of the devastating bush fires last January. Beechworth was threatened on two fronts, to the west, a fire raged about 5 kilometers away, and out to the east a second fire front roared along a few kilometers away. The wind fortunately swept these fires along parallel to the town, but I understand the local populace were all packed, they were under threat and ready to evacuate over a ten day period, the closest the fires came only some 1.5 kilometers away.

Beechworth ringed by the Bush Fires on the 21st. of January 2003

This whole area was threatened, the towns of Stanley, Yakandandah, Myrtleford, whilst Bright was literally saved from destruction by some very determined and courageous fire fighters on three separate occasions. Thousands fought the fires, being drawn from New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania, Queensland the Australian Armed Services, New Zealand, even 35 specialist fire fighters were flown in from the United States to assist. 40 aircraft were used for reconnaissance purposes, mapping, and water bombing.

Fireman fighting Bush Fires, January 2003

Losses.
Thousands of sheep and cattle were lost, 41 homes burnt down, 3,000 kilometers of fencing destroyed, and over a million hectares of parklands, state forests and farmland burnt. The toll in monetary terms, $Millions, for farmers, small business and tourism operators.

Beechworth History.
It was the discovery of gold at Woolshed Creek in 1852 that sparked the mad invasion of gold seeking miners, as thousands flocked here to seek their fortune. Over the next ten years, some 4,121,918 ounces of gold were prized from the surrounding area, and it was continually mined until 1920. The town was at first named Mayday Hills, and then it was later changed to its current name Beechworth.

A gaol was built which still operates as such, and a facility for the Mentally ill named Mayday Hills catered for 1,000 patients, it closed in 1993, and its 11 hectares of Heritage Gardens with its associated buildings was purchased by La Trobe University in 1997, to be used as an External Learning and Conference facility with 200 available beds.

The main street of Beechworth with the post office and its clock tower, the old bank on the other corner now a shop specialising in gold sales

Ned Kelly.
The infamous Australian Bush Ranger Ned Kelly, with his Mother Ellen went on trial at the Beechworth Courthouse many years ago.

Beechworth Bakery.
Situated in Camp Street, is the local Bakery, it opens seven days a week from 6 AM to 7 PM, to draw an amazing throng on a daily basis. We literally had to fight our way to the counter to place an order for some of the tempting goodies available. Thursdays being particularly busy, as out of town buses arrive, crammed with Senior Citizens anxious for coffee and cake on their arrival here, the Bakery being on their must see route. Up stairs can cater for some 200 visitors, and it was crammed to overflowing.

The Weather.
We were fortunate to have really glorious weather, the morning sun bursting through our our cottage windows, and the view to the distant hills across the valley all very idyllic.

Homeward Bound.
We came home along a different route, visiting Milawa and its local cheese factory, to purchase some of the local produce etc, through Oxley and the King Valley to Whitfield, over the mountain range with its magnificent views down the valleys, on to Mansfield. Then via Alexandra, where Denise happened to have been born, to Buxton where she went to the small school, the only girl in a class of about 15, over the Black Spur range with its glorious Mountain Ash trees and roadside ferns to Healsville, and Melbourne to home.

All in all, an inspired choice, and a wonderful two days away in the lovely Australian bush and at Beechworth.

The romantic Bedroom at Beechworth

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