Beechworth Administrative Precinct is the newest place on Australia's National Heritage List.
Added on 16 August, this historic town tells the national story of the 1850s gold rush in North East Victoria.
The historic buildings in the precinct have outstanding heritage value. From the Gold Warden's Office to the old Beechworth Gaol, the buildings show how people lived on goldfields in Australia.
The precinct provides a picture of how goldfields ran during the 1850s gold rush. The Chinese Protectorate Office is the only surviving example in Australia. It stands as a symbol of Chinese migration and the government's 1850s anti-Chinese legislation during the gold rush.
The precinct's inclusion in the National Heritage List recognises its ability to tell our national story of the 1850s gold rush. This ensures future generations can understand this part of our history.
The Australian Heritage Council conducted a detailed assessment of Beechworth Administrative Precinct. This assessment weighs the site against National Heritage criteria. Public consultation, including with Traditional Owners, was an important part of this process.
