burke museum

Burke Museum – Beechworth is a fascinating treasure trove of local history, named after former police superintendent Robert O’Hara Burke of the ill-fated Burke and Wills expedition, and brings together Beechworth’s rich past all under one roof. Inside, you’ll first discover an impressive collection of jewels, minerals and discoveries from around Beechworth and Victoria’s High Country, alongside a striking natural history display featuring colourful birds and even the last thylacine (Tasmanian tiger). One of the most powerful artefacts is Ned Kelly’s death mask, which Mamma found both incredible and a little chilling. The museum then steps back in time with a recreated streetscape showing what Beechworth looked like during its gold rush heyday, complete with shopfronts, fashion and artefacts of the era, before finishing with stories that honour the important people of the region, past and present – making it an engaging, educational stop and a perfect indoor activity for families on a High Country road trip.