australian PLACES...great weekends away in Victoria
accommodation review
FINCHES of BEECHWORTH
BEECHWORTH
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This is one of Beechworth's finest heritage houses, lovingly restored several years ago and turned into a top-class bed and breakfast home. Set in huge English style gardens with extensive lawns and deciduous trees, Finches is a stone’s throw from the main street where Gold Rush heritage is at its best.
Friendly hosts Peter and Carole O’Neill took over the reins a couple of years ago, further improving guest comforts with little touches like a crackling wood fire in the guest lounge, almost never-ending tea and coffee, books and magazines to browse. Finches has hydronic heating, so the place is never cold – even when Beechworth freezes through a rare but picturesque winter snowfall.
Three guest bedrooms in the original section of the house have been carefully redecorated in Victorian style; two have ensuite while the third has a private bathroom of its own. Three further ensuite guest rooms have been added to the rear of the house and if you want extra luxury, choose a king-bed room. All the little soaps and requisites expected of upmarket lodgings are in guest rooms, and full cooked breakfast is served at a reasonable hour for holidaymakers.
The gardens and broad verandahs give plenty of scope for relaxed privacy with a cup of tea, and your hosts can advise on historic walking tours, Ned Kelly sites, and scenic places to visit. Nearby wineries are well worth visiting, too.
It’s a five-minute stroll from Finches to restaurants and pubs. Give yourselves ample time to explore Beechworth - there's plenty to see.
My re-visit in May 2007 confirms that Finches has maintained excellent standards.
WHERE: 3 Finch Street, Beechworth; 270km north-east of Melbourne via Hume Freeway, about 3 hours drive.
HOW MUCH: from $180 per couple B&B; best deal is two nights B&B including a two-course dinner at The Bank Restaurant, $380 per couple.
CONTACT: Phone (03) 5728 2655
copyright PETER ROBINSON 2007 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED