THE New Year holiday period at Beechworth this year has been an amazing roller coaster ride for tourists and locals alike.

Freeman on Ford Bed and Breakfast was fully booked throughout, Camp and Ford streets were packed with tourist families , car parking spaces were full but some businesses were closed due to COVID regulations.

Real estate prices throughout the whole district have continued to rise to record levels as Melburnians seek the relatively safe COVID environment and wonderful life–style on offer here.

Indigo Shire Mayor Bernard Gaffney was pleased to note that Lake Sambell has become a major tourist attraction for the whole district.

In 2015 Cr Gaffney successfully led Indigo Shire Council in the massive task of saving Lake Sambell through extensive repairs to the dam wall and adjacent infrastructure at a cost of $3m.