In this update 

• News from the Yackandandah Visitor Information Centre
• What's On in Yack
  • Julian James and Beci Kate at Star Hotel
  • Summer Sunset Sips at Backwoods Distilling Co.
  • New Years Eve Trivia at Star Hotel
  • The Sea Inside exhibition at Sluga Gallery
• News from the Beechworth Visitor Information Centre
• What's On in Beechworth  
  • Brewery Tour at Bridge Road Brewers
  • Christmas themed lunch at The Grand Oaks Resort
  • Christmas Community Barbeque at Lake Sambell
  • Beechworth Farmers Market
  • Schloss Wooden Sword Making Workshop
  • Open Stage at Hotel Nicholas
  • NICA Try-It-Out Day
  • William Crighton and Beans On Toast at Old Stone Hall
  • Weathercraft Wines Pop-Up at Vino Bar
• Tourism News
  • Ride High Country and MAAP present: PROJECT (10)
  • Take part in the Tourism Strategy Survey
• Local Business Group Links

From the Yackandandah Visitor Information Centre

Hello everyone and happy holidays to all! 

For those looking to cool off during the festive season, the Yackandandah Swimming Pool has moved to peak season opening hours, offering plenty of time for a refreshing swim. Be sure to check the latest hours here before you encourage friends or visitors to head over.

Exploring the beautiful countryside with scenic walks, or visiting local shops for unique gifts and artisan products are great holiday activities. Stop by and see us at the centre for the latest updates on events and activities during the holidays. 

It's your last chance to contribute to our comprehensive guide to restaurant, cafe, and tourism business opening hours during the Christmas and New Year period. Business owners please, please submit your operating hours for the period of Monday 23 December through to Sunday 5 January 2025. Please email these details to info@exploreyackandandah.com.au before Friday 20 December. This information will be compiled into a convenient handout we will distribute to visitors who drop in to the centre, and we encourage local tourism providers to stop by and pick up a copy for themselves too!

If your business is not featured on the official Yackandandah website, please reach out and speak to us about your inclusion - it’s free of charge! Our team is here to assist you with creating or renewing your Australian Tourism Data Warehouse (ATDW) website business listing. If you need any help, please contact the centre on (02) 6027 1988 or info@exploreyackandandah.com.au

Wishing you all a happy and healthy festive season and a successful New Year. 

The Yackandandah Visitor Information Centre Team

What's On in Yack

Julian James and Beci Kate

Star Hotel Yackandandah
30 High Street, Yackandandah
Sunday 22 December 
2:00pm - 5:00pm

Julian James and Beci Kate have established a prominent presence in the Australian live music scene over numerous years. Their shows combine authentic energy with sincere storytelling, delivering an engaging and enchanting experience.

Summer Sunset Sips at Backwoods Distilling Co.

Backwoods Distilling Co.
6 Turntable Lane, Yackandandah
Saturday 28 December 
4:00pm - 8:00pm 

Join the team from Backwoods Distilling Co. for a relaxed evening with great drinks, live tunes, and delicious eats. Enjoy live music by the talented Jesse Sahra from 4:30pm to 7:30pm. No bookings needed, just grab your mates and enjoy a perfect summer evening. 

New Years Eve Trivia at Star Hotel

Star Hotel
30 High Street, Yackandandah 
Tuesday 31 December 
Entertainment from 4:00pm

Yackwiz Trivia Master Gary will put you through your paces one last time for 2024. Organise your mates, book a table to register your team and dress up in a team uniform. There are prizes to be won!

The Sea Inside exhibition

Sluga Gallery
27 High Street, Yackandandah
Now until Friday 31 January 

Exhibiting together for the first time, the four members of the Sluga family present photographs (by Nancy, Lily and Aimee) and paintings (by Charles) inspired by the sea. One family, four interpretations of the ocean.

From the Beechworth Visitor Information Centre

Hello everyone, 

School holidays are officially here in Beechworth, making it the perfect time for a family or friends getaway. For visitors who love the outdoors, why not suggest they try berry picking at one of the local berry farms, or exploring the stunning vineyard landscapes of Beechworth's wineries? Beechworth’s walks and cycle trails offer beautiful scenic routes, ideal for all levels of adventurers.

It’s also a great time to shop locally and pick up unique, handcrafted Christmas gifts from Beechworth's many unique shops. Before heading out on adventures, encourage visitors to pop into see us at the centre. We've got the latest guides on opening hours and a full list of events and activities for the holiday season. Due to the busy time of year, we also recommend booking ahead at any of Beechworth's amazing eateries to avoid disappointment. 

Don't forget to check out the Light Up Beechworth Christmas Light and Tree Trail. A huge thank you to Beechworth Inc. for bringing this project to life – your hard work has truly illuminated the holiday spirit!

If your business is not featured on the official Beechworth website, please reach out and speak to us about your inclusion - it’s free of charge! Our team is here to assist you with creating or renewing your Australian Tourism Data Warehouse (ATDW) website business listing. If you need any help, please contact the centre on 1300 366 321 or info@explorebeechworth.com.au

We wish you a wonderful, safe and successful festive season and New Year.

The Beechworth Visitor Information Centre Team

What's On in Beechworth

Brewery Tour at Bridge Road Brewers

Bridge Road Brewers
50 Ford Street, Beechworth
Daily at 11:15am

Join the team from Bridge Road Brewers for a guided tour through the brewery, where Victoria's #1 Pale Ale is made. You'll get an insider’s look at the brewing process from the in-house mill, to the final product you all know and love. Tours end with a guided taste of Bridge Road's award winning beers in the taproom (for those over 18 years of age). 

Christmas themed lunch at The Grand Oaks Resort

The Grand Oaks Resort
22 Oak Avenue, Beechworth
Saturday 21 December 
12:00pm

Enjoy an early 'Christmas Lunch' at The Grand Oaks this Saturday. The two-course meal includes roast turkey breast, baked ham, roasted vegetables or tomato tart with cheesy cauliflower and roasted vegetables, plus your choice of Christmas pudding and custard or pavlova with berries and cream. 

Call Michelle or Loki to book: (03) 5728 2618

Christmas Community Barbeque

Lake Sambell, Beechworth
Friday 20 December
4:00pm - 7:00pm

Beechworth's annual end-of-school-year community barbeque is set to bring everyone together at Lake Sambell. This festive gathering is the perfect chance for families, friends, and neighbours to celebrate another successful school year, share some delicious food, and enjoy the summer evening.

Beechworth Farmers Market

Christ Church
Corner of Ford and Church Streets, Beechworth
Saturday 4 January 
8:00am - 12:00pm

The Beechworth Farmers Market is held on the first Saturday of every month and specialises in a great variety of fresh, local produce.

Come by and have a chat with passionate growers and producers of the region, pick up some fresh local produce or grab a bite to eat from one of the many food stalls.

Schloss Wooden Sword Making Workshop

Old Wooragee Road, Beechworth
Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 January 

Join craftsman and toymaker Tim Schloss in this two-day workshop where you'll learn woodworking techniques using hand tools to cut, shape and finish your very own wooden Schloss Sword.

The Schloss Sword-making workshop is a premium, hands-on learning opportunity for all wood-working adventurers. Participants will begin with a simple piece of wood, and walk away with a finely crafted, finished sword.

Contact Tim on 0432 599 243 or info@schloss.com.au to book. 

Open Stage at Hotel Nicholas

Hotel Nicholas
1A Camp Street, Beechworth 
Sunday 5 January
5:00pm - 8:00pm

Join the team at Hotel Nicholas for an evening of local talent and entertainment. Performers are welcome to showcase their skills at this Open Stage event. Not a performer? Come along anyway and enjoy the diverse array of acts while supporting your community's artists. 

NICA Try-It-Out Day

Beechworth Mountain Bike Park
Alma Road, Beechworth
Saturday 11 January
9:00am - 5:00pm

NICA (National Interscholastic Cycling Association) is running a cross-country mountain bike program for anyone aged 12-17 years at the Beechworth Mountain Bike Park. 

Each session will be hosted by ride leaders, and lasts approximately 90 minutes, during which you will experience a taste of what NICA has to offer - from a beginner-friendly cross-country course, to a skills challenge, a checkpoint scavenger hunt and other fun engaging activities. The only prerequisite is the ability to ride a bike. Don't worry if you don't have a bike - NICA will provide a limited quantity of bikes (and helmets) that you can book when registering.

William Crighton and Beans On Toast

Old Stone Hall
7 Church Street, Beechworth
Wednesday 22 January 
7:00pm - 10:30pm

The last two years have seen Australian artist William Crighton win an ARIA, support Midnight Oil and The Dead South on tours around the world, play for the first time at Glastonbury and release his third album ‘Water and Dust’.

Pioneering the Bush Psych genre, Crighton is one of Australia's new generation of storytellers, his music soaked in the essence of the Australian landscape. 

Beans On Toast is a folk hero in the UK - he's played Glastonbury 15 times and released 15 albums. He's a hippy, a punk, a poet, a die-hard romantic and an eternal optimist. Expect an unforgettable night of music, camaraderie, and celebration.

Weathercraft Wines Pop-Up at Vino Bar

Vino Bar
40 Ford Street, Beechworth
Thursdays and Fridays until 28 February 2025
11:00am - 4:00pm

Join Weathercraft winemaker Raquel Jones for a seated tasting at Vino Bar, every Thursday and Friday over the summer months. 

Paid tastings of either four or five wines are available, please click the button below for further details.

Walk-ins are welcome (you may be asked to wait if tables are occupied). Book your seat to avoid waiting or missing out.

Tourism News

Ride High Country and MAAP present: PROJECT (10)

Ride High Country and cycle clothing brand MAAP are thrilled to launch the PROJECT (10) Ride Passport – the ultimate guide to tackling the top ten gravel routes in Victoria’s High Country. 

Beechworth is lucky to place twice in the list, with both the Beechworth - Eldorado Loop and the Beechworth Gaol Break Loop making an appearance. The campaign encourages gravel cyclists to disperse across Victoria's High Country and complete all ten listed gravel routes on their PROJECT (10) Ride Passport for a chance to win an epic High Country PROJECT (10) getaway and a sleek MAAP Alt_Road kit for two.

Participants can pick up their Ride Passport stickers in Beechworth from Little NEV or Bridge Road Brewers. 

Take part in the Tourism Strategy Survey

Council is developing Indigo’s new Tourism Strategy, which will guide the direction and performance of tourism in each of our tourism destinations. Your input is very important and informs the strategic priorities and direction for Indigo and your town for the next 5 - 10 years.  Please hit the button below to share your inputs and priorities. Feedback closes tomorrow Friday 20 December. This survey is the first step in the process and you will see more opportunities to provide input and insights during 2025.

Local Business Groups