La Trobe at Beechworth is located on the site of the former Mayday Hills Hospital or the Beechworth Lunatic Asylum as it was originally named.

Established in 1867 as one of three major asylums in the state of Victoria, the hospital operated for almost 130 years until its closure in 1995. During this time it grew to incorporate nearly 52 buildings spread across an 11 hectare site, at its peak accommodating over 1,000 patients.

Today most of this infrastructure remains (including large sections of the building pictured above). A self-guided historic walking tour around the site provides a fascinating insight into the operations of one of Victoria's major mental institutions.

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