Beaconsfield

Description:

The small town of Beaconsfield sits on the western bank of the Tamar River in the heart of the Tamar Valley Wine Region. Beaconsfield was one of Tasmania's richest gold towns. At its peak, there were 53 companies working the goldmines. The last mine closed in 1914 when the technology of the day proved uneconomical. This rich mining heritage continues today. Mining started again in the early 1990s when the price of gold and advancements in technology made the mining of gold more economically viable. The town's mining history is on show at the award-winning Beaconsfield Mine and Heritage Centre. Also of interest is the beautiful timber Holy Trinity Church, constructed in 1907 with wooden gables and intricate internal woodwork. Nearby is Holwell Gorge Reserve, a narrow gorge and fern glade with beautiful tall trees, some up to 60 m high, three waterfalls and a scenic walking track. The town is also close to some of Tasmania's best cool-climate wineries, Narawntapu National Park, Greens Beach and all the attractions of nearby Launceston and the Tamar Valley. Beaconsfield is a 40-min drive (40 km) north-west of Launceston.