In this update 

• Indigo Epic is OPEN
• News from the Beechworth Visitor Information Centre
• What's On in Beechworth
  • Beechworth Community Picnics
  • A collection of half decent artworks

  • Evening High Tea

  • High Country Hop
  • Events in Beechworth
• News from the Yackandandah Visitor Information Centre
• What's on in Yackandandah
  • Hard Yacka and Indigo Epic mountain bike races
  • Yackandandah Folk Festival
  • Mary Coughlan at The Star Hotel
  • Events in Yackandandah
• Tourism News
• Business Support

Indigo Epic is OPEN

Indigo Epic was officially launched yesterday by Mayor Sophie Price, Dr Helen Haines, and local mountain biker James Lacey. The trail, which is 56km of single track mountain bike trail, connects Beechworth and Yackandandah through the beautiful, history-filled forest between them. 

The trail is estimated to bring an additional 12,500 visitors annually and inject $5m into the local economy annually. We are excited to have this addition to our cycling offering!

News from the Beechworth Visitor Information Centre

It was a very busy long weekend in Beechworth with lots of happy visitors excited to explore our wonderful region. Berry and apple picking have been a crowd favourites. Go straight to the source and pick your own! Black Barn Farm, Europa Gully Orchard and Beechworth Berries all have beautiful fresh produce ready for your belly.

A shout out to the team at Tiny who have launched Tiny Cocktail Nights (Friday, Saturday and Monday each week).

We are excited to have Indigo Epic officially open as of Wednesday 12:00pm. We are keen to see the increase in visitation that the trail will have on Beechworth. 

Please make sure your business and upcoming events and festivals are listed on our websites and included in our visitor servicing communication channels. It’s easy to do and it’s absolutely free! Contact the friendly Visitor Information Centre staff who will be happy to assist you via ATDW.

Enjoy the sunshine!

Beechworth Visitor Information Centre team

What's On in Beechworth

Beechworth Community Picnics

Quercus is very excited to invite you to join its Community Picnics this March. These are free events designed to 'celebrate where we live' with Beechy friends, new and old.

Quercus will be providing the activities and snacks (along with their partner organisations) you bring your picnic and your friends. Stay as long as you like, join in the activities, or simply enjoy the atmosphere.

Sunday 19 March
Picnic and Paint
1:00pm - 4:00pm
Town Hall Gardens

Wednesday 29 March
Cricket Fun
4:00pm - 7:00pm
Beechworth Primary School

A collection of half decent artworks

Monday 20 March
7:30pm
Tiny

Local artist Charlie Borg will be displaying her artworks at Tiny in an exhibition titled A collection of half decent artworks.  Come in for opening night and enjoy Asian fusion nibbles and funky cocktails! 

Evening High Tea

Friday 24 March
Moments and Memories Tea Room
6:30pm

Join the team at Moments and Memories Tea Room for a special evening high tea on Friday 24 March. Tickets are $75 per person with vegetarian and gluten free meals available for $85. Book your spot early to avoid disappointment! 

High Country Hop

Saturday 25 March
Police Paddocks Beechworth
from 12:00pm

High Country Hop is back! Join the team from Bridge Road Brewers as they host brewers from around the world. Headlining the list of guests, all the way from California, legends of US craft, the inimitable Firestone Walker. There is an excellent line up of musical guests, activities for the kids and delicious food on offer all day. You don't want to miss this one. 

News from the Yackandandah Visitor Information Centre

Hello from Yackandandah Visitor Information Centre!

Many people took advantage of the long weekend to come and explore our beautiful town.

We had lots of visitors looking for walking tracks, cycling options and a large number of guests enjoying the historic streetscape of High Street. Welcome back to Grace’s Place Thai restaurant which has returned after taking a short break.

We are excited to have Indigo Epic officially open as of Wednesday and are looking forward to the increase in visitation in town!

Thank you to the accommodation providers that have supplied us with vacancies over the coming months as we prepare for the upcoming Yackandandah Folk Festival, Beechworth’s High Country Hop Festival, Easter weekend and school holidays. Please reach out if you have availability that needs filling and we will direct enquiries appropriately.

As always, please consider putting your events on our websites;
 www.explorebeechworth.com.au and www.exploreyackandandah.com.au.

It is free to do so via ATDW. If you need any help please contact the Beechworth Visitor Information Centre and the team will help you with a listing on either website. 

Enjoy the sunshine, 

Yack Visitor Information team

What's On in Yackandandah

Hard Yacka and Indigo Epic mountain bike races

Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 March 

Starting from the Yackandandah Sports Park right in town, this is part of a two-day mini stage race weekend with two Shifty Fifty events. Saturday will be the traditional Hard Yacka whilst Sunday will see the very first race on the brand new Indigo Epic Trail, Friday night activities are also to be featured this is a weekend not to miss.

Yackandandah Folk Festival

Friday 24 - Sunday 26 March

Yackandandah Folk Festival is a total community event. It has developed a great reputation for providing some of the best overseas and touring acts, as well as assisting in the nurturing of younger performers.
In addition to great music over the weekend, the festival allows all of the other community groups and sporting clubs to participate, so that the festival has become a weekend celebration of fun. The aim of the festival is not to be the biggest or the best, but quite simply to provide great music in a friendly relaxed and participative environment.

Tickets for this year's festival have sold out but there are still opportunities for volunteers. 

Mary Coughlan at The Star Hotel

Thursday 20 March
The Star Hotel
7:30pm

Ireland’s Mary Coughlan is arguably the greatest female singer to have emerged from Ireland in recent times, the equivalent of Irish vocal royalty. Mary rocketed to fame in 1985 with her debut album, Tired and Emotional. Seventeen years later, with as many albums under her belt, she is known as one of Ireland’s greatest soulful jazz and blues singers of all time, a true artist who has crafted a timeless and highly regarded versatile career with devoted fans worldwide.

Tourism News

Tourism investment continues to grow

Summarised by Simone Klose - Australian Regional Tourism

The total value of Australia’s tourism investment pipeline increased by 3.6% to $44.3 billion in 2021-22, according to Tourism Research Australia’s Tourism Investment Monitor.

Most of the 244 projects in the pipeline are in the accommodation sector. The sector has 152 projects valued at $11.5 billion, which could potentially add 23,000 rooms to accommodation supply.

The aviation sector has 14 projects valued at $16.7 billion, while arts, recreation and business services (which includes convention centres) has 78 projects valued at $16.1 billion.

More than 80 projects are currently under construction, with a further 128 in the planning phase.

Business Support

People, Processes and Technologies

Wednesday 22 March
153 High Street, Rutherglen
5:00pm - 8:00pm

Indigo Shire's Economic Development team are partnering with Destination Rutherglen to host a free business workshop "People Processes and Technologies", presented by the Monarch Institute and Business Victoria.

This three-hour session will provide a valuable networking opportunity as well as a chance to develop critical organisational competencies around culture and process transformation resulting in a more effective and sustainable change effort.  All welcome - including non-members.

Innovator's Mindset

Tuesday 28 March
Yackandandah Public Hall
5:00pm - 8:00pm

Indigo Shire's Economic Development team are joining forces with the Yackandandah Chamber of Commerce to host a free business workshop - Innovator's Mindset.

This three-hour session is a valuable networking opportunity as well as a chance to learn about innovation, time management and leadership as key themes in business.  All welcome - including non-members.  Light refreshments provided.