Beaconsfield...

This area's history dates back to 1804, when officers from a party under the command of Lt. Col. William Paterson explored the district. He decided to establish a permanent settlement at the head of Western Arm and named this York Town. This remained his quarters for about 3½ years.

Gold was discovered at Beaconsfield (originally named Cabbage Tree Hill) in 1869. The town thrived at the beginning of this century and the ruins of the big brick buildings with romanesque arches, erected at the pithead of the Tasmanian Gold Mine in 1904, still dominate the town. The mine closed in 1914 due to water seepage after ore to the value of more than $6 million ($400 million at today's value) had been extracted. Two of these buildings have been restored to become the award-winning Grubb Shaft Museum, now acclaimed as one of the best mining and local history museums in the country, with hidden animals, a native plant garden, domestic memorabilia, a waterwheel-driven stamp battery, and hands-on working exhibits of mine history.

Other points of interest include the York Town Memorial (on Kelso Road) and local arts and crafts at the Van Diemens Gallery. There is also a picnic area with gas barbecue just South of the town boundary.