Beechworth Courthouse
Home to the Kelly Trials Exhibition, the Beechworth Historic Courthouse invites visitors to stand in the very place where some of Australia's most famous historical events unfolded.
Built in 1858, the courthouse served the community for more than 130 years and remains one of the most significant public buildings from Victoria's Gold Rush era. Its imposing granite walls have witnessed stories of justice, controversy, ambition and tragedy, making it one of Beechworth's most fascinating heritage landmarks.
Experience the Kelly Trials
Step inside the courtroom and immerse yourself in the story of Ned Kelly through the Kelly Trials Exhibition, a 270-degree cinema presentation that brings to life the people, events and social issues that shaped the Kelly era.
The Beechworth Courthouse played a pivotal role during the Kelly outbreak of 1878-1880, hosting more than 40 hearings and trials involving Ned Kelly, members of the Kelly Gang and their supporters. Here, visitors can explore the complex themes of law, justice, crime and punishment in the very building where history happened.
Sessions run daily on the hour, from 10am to 3pm.
The exhibition is ramp access and service animal friendly, and ticket can be purchased online or through the Beechworth Visitor Information Centre.
More than Kelly
While the Kelly story is a significant part of the courthouse's history, it is only one chapter in the life of this remarkable building.
For more than a century, the courthouse was at the centre of civic life in Beechworth, hearing cases that reflected the challenges, ambitions and realities of life in colonial Victoria. The building offers a unique glimpse into the workings of the justice system during a period of rapid change and growth.
Visitors can explore the historic courtroom, jury facilities and one of the region's most impressive collections of legal reference materials. The courthouse also houses a remarkable law library containing many rare and historic volumes.
Photo: Sir William Stawell. Courtesy of National Library of Austalia
Stories within the walls
The courthouse has been connected to some of the most compelling figures in Australian history.
Among them was Elizabeth Scott, whose trial remains one of the most discussed legal cases heard in Beechworth. Convicted alongside two co-accused in 1863, she became the first woman executed in Victoria. Her story continues to offer insight into the social expectations, legal systems and lived experiences of nineteenth-century Australia.
The courthouse was also an important workplace for Sir Isaac Isaacs, who spent part of his early legal career in Beechworth before becoming Australia's first Australian-born Governor-General. His achievements would see him become one of the nation's most respected public figures.
Together, these stories reveal the many people who passed through the courthouse, from judges and lawyers to witnesses, jurors, defendants and local residents, each contributing to the ongoing story of Beechworth.
Photo: Ellen Kelly (Ned Kelly's Mother) with her Granddaughters. Courtesy of National Library of Austalia
Plan your visit
Whether you're interested in the Kelly story, colonial justice, local history or the architecture of one of Victoria's most important Gold Rush buildings, the Beechworth Historic Courthouse offers a fascinating opportunity to connect with the past.
Don't miss the Kelly Trials Exhibition, available daily within the historic courthouse. Discover the stories, people and events that continue to shape Beechworth's place in Australian history.