One for those into dark tourism is this creepy, old 'lunatic' asylum, decommissioned in 1995, which sits on Mayday Hill overlooking town. While a lot of the buildings have been redeveloped into hotels. residential properties, and the studios of the Mayday Hills Art Society, a lot remains abandoned and downright spooky. You can't access inside any of the buildings, unless you sign up with Asylum Ghost Tours, which operates historical tours by day and ghost tours by night.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Chinese Gardens

0.56 MILES

Down near pretty Lake Sambell you’ll find the pleasant Chinese Gardens, a tribute to the Chinese gold miners. After redevelopment in 2017, it's now a very…

2. Bridge Road Brewers

0.8 MILES

Beechworth’s gem of a microbrewery produces some excellent beer; our favourites are the Chevalier saison and the Bling IPA. All go beautifully with…

3. Beechworth Courthouse

0.81 MILES

The Beechworth Courthouse is notable for Ned Kelly’s first court appearance; see the cell where Ned was held in the basement behind the Shire Hall. There…

4. Telegraph Station

0.81 MILES

You can send a telegram (national/international $2/4) to anywhere in the world from the Telegraph Station, the original Morse-code office. There's a…

5. Ned Kelly Vault

0.81 MILES

Within the original subtreasury building (c 1858) where gold was stored is this exhibition space dedicated to Australia's most infamous bushranger, Ned…

6. Town Hall

0.84 MILES

Beechworth's grand historic town hall dates to 1858, and today is home to the visitor centre.

7. Old Beechworth Gaol

0.84 MILES

In 2016 a consortium of locals banded together to buy the historic 1860 Beechworth prison in order to save it from being developed. Entry to the gaol is…

8. Burke Museum

0.89 MILES

Dating from 1857, when it was the Beechworth Athenaeum, this is one of Australia's oldest museums. It was renamed in 1861 in tribute to the famous…