Stanley & Eldorado
Stanley
Follow the winding, bending road for just ten kilometres south of Beechworth and you will come across the small village of Stanley. This tight knit farming community is famed for its produce, with cool climate and fertile soils providing the perfect conditions for growing apples, stone fruit, berries and nuts. Call in to Jim Jams or Hillsborough Nuts to take home some of the delicious local produce.
Hop from farm gate to farm gate and pick up some apples and nuts during Autumn, and delight in sweet stone fruits and berries during the warmer months. In summer you can even pick your own berries and cherries at select farms. You’ll be astounded by the beauty of these orchards and opportunity to learn direct from farmers themselves about where your food comes from.
Stanley is a stone’s throw from some of the most beautiful, breathtaking views in the region. Drive along Six Mile Road/Lady Newtown Drive for about 15 minutes and you will be greeted with the famed picnic spot of Murmungee Lookout. Facing south you will be treated to a panoramic view of the river flats, farmland and mountain ranges and on a clear day you can see the majestic Mount Buffalo.
If you’re heading back into Beechworth from Stanley, be sure to detour via Red Hill Road where you will follow the northern shoreline of Lake Kerferd. This route will take in gorgeous views of the surrounding farmland and the township of Beechworth.
Another optional detour is via Mt Stanley, at 1050m elevation it offers exceptional views of native bushland and the extensive pine plantations which date back to the Great Depression.
Stanley Village and Plateau contain picturesque walking trails that take in exquisite views, ancient creeks, blooming orchards and grazing land.
Take the opportunity to create your own walking itinerary or utilise one of the pre-mapped and signed routes made for you. Take in the views of Stanley bushland or drop into a local farmgate to collect your goods for the journey home.
Call in to the Stanley pub and treat yourself to some great food and beverages. Established in 1854, the pub has been looking after the local farmers and visitors alike for over 150 years. The unique apple box bar is bursting with locally produced wines, spirits and beers, and the kitchen serves up seasonal local produce with an Asian touch.
In the warmer months, enjoy the light and airy sunroom, or enjoy a band as you sip a Stanley apple cider in the leafy beer garden. When winter sets in, cosy up by the open fire in the lounge with a velvety cool climate pinot noir.
Eldorado
For a ‘sleepy country town’ of little more than 250 permanent residents, there are lots of interesting things to see in Eldorado.
It’s known as a tiny town that is full of hidden gems, both literally and metaphorically. Some people come to Eldorado for the gold and gemstone hunting, while other come for the excellent camp spots, bush walks, food and history.
A former goldrush hub that in its heyday was home to more than 7,000 people, Eldorado has a fascinating history, which you can discover at the Eldorado Museum in Main Street. Housed in and around the town’s old school building, the volunteer-managed museum was started by the local community in 1967. It’s open each Sunday from 2pm – 4pm. Packed with relics and stories of a former age, here you can find out about Eldorado’s mining ear and local family history. Groups are welcome, and private bookings can be made for outside general open times. To find out more, visit eldoradomuseum.com
It’s worth taking a trip to see Cock’s Eldorado Gold and Tin Mining Bucket Dredge – situated on the Wangaratta side of Eldorado, about two kilometres from the museum. Working between 1936 until 1954, it was one of the largest dredges in the Southern Hemisphere – a floating monster weighing 2,142 tons. In its 18 years of operation, the dredge produced 70,664 ounces of gold and 1,383 tons of tin. Visitors can marvel at the dredge’s immense size, read information panels, and take a walk arount he dredge hole area.
When you have finished viewing the dredge you can pop into the Eldorado Pub and General Store for a meal and a refreshing beverage of your choice. The pub is the smallest in Victoria and the walls are covered with memorabillia and lots of character making it a truly unique experience.
There are lots of opportunities for nature walks among the local hills, rugged granite countryside, streams and bushland surrounding the town. From the top of Monument Hill you can take in a view along the Eldorado valley. A short trek on Reid’s Walk will take you through some of the region’s early mining areas. Many visitors spend some time down at Reedy Creek hunting for gold and panning in the burbling waters.
