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Nestled in the foothills of Stanley State Forest in Norther Eastern Victoria, Yackandandah is rich in history and natural resources (granite, gold, clay & sparkling spring water). The streetscape is largely unchanged from its heyday as a goldmining town. The whole town, including its avenues of oaks, elms and yews, have been classified by the National Trust.
Gold was first discovered here in 1852 which led to a gold rush in what became known as the north-east goldfields. Yackandandah became widely known for its alluvial wet mining techniques.
The area is now predominantly a dairy farming and forestry region, and has numerous bed and breakfast lodges which allow its many visitors to enjoy the peace and tranquillity of the district's forest and mountains.
Where is it?: Victoria: North East. Yackandanah is 36 km south of Wodonga and 288 km north-east of Melbourne via Beechworth.
Events: Yackandandah is home to the annual Yackandandah Folk Festival, attracting local, Australian and international artists.
Things to see and do:
Yackandandah has many heritage buildings. These include the Court House (1864); Post Office; Bank of Victoria (1865); Indigo Valley diggings; Presbyterian Church; former Athenaeum (1878); former Colonial Bank; SG Dean's Grocery & Hardware Shop (c.1870); Stone Bridge; 'Gundowring' homestead; 'Burramine' homestead (1842)
The Lions Town Walk starts at Isaacs Park just over the historic Stone Bridge and continues over Commissioners Creek. The path leads to the Miners Hut, a replica of an original miner’s home during the first gold rush. Mineral Lane takes you to the Molyneux Mineral Spring, where you can view the spring from a purpose built platform.
Schmidt’s Strawberry Winery is set amidst acres of lush strawberry fields, this winery is unique in Australia. Using a traditional family method, the fruit wine produced here has won international awards.
Yackandandah is on the North Eastern Victoria Food and Wine Trail. The region is the state's premier area for wine-lovers and foodies. Nestled between the high country's snowfields and the Murray River, this dramatic landscape of mountains, valleys, clean air and clean rivers, is the perfect backdrop for an inspirational food and wine experience. From the wineries of Rutherglen, Milawa, Glenrowan and the King Valley to the canned fruit outlets of Shepparton and all the specialist produce in between, the region is a gourmet lovers' delight. More >>
Surrounding area:
Guided tours of the Karr's Reef underground gold mine. The mine dates back to 1867. The tour departs from the Yackandandah Visitor Information Centre in High St where guests travel by 4WD bus into the mountains to the historic mine site. The mine still houses many original pieces of machinery and tools used during the goldmining era.
Allans Flat is an enormous hole created by hydraulic gold dredging which has been converted into a lake and public reserve with grassed areas, picnic tables, chairs and wood barbecues. A cairn at the entrance to the reserve on the southern side of the lake commemorates the occasion in 1845 when David Reid became the first white person to take up land in the area. Goldmining occurred in the area from the 1850s to 1904. At one stage the local school had 200 children. Agriculture developed to feed the community and remained when the gold inevitably dwindled. Today Allans Flat is a locality rather than a village.
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