Beechworth has been named as one of Australia’s most desirable retirement locations according to Citro’s 2025 retirement guide.

The guide of the country’s top 50 retirement locations, released at the start of October, blends hard facts (house prices, healthcare access, liveability data) with the softer lifestyle factors that matter when people make a life-changing move.

It features a diverse mix of regional towns and coastal communities located across the country based on affordability trends, lifestyle, transport infrastructure, healthcare access and amenity.

While Beechworth did not make the top 10, it would be the only North East town to make the list and one of nine locations in Victoria.

The guide describes Beechworth as the home to history, heritage and plenty of restaurants and wineries, highlighting its “well-preserved” gold rush architecture, cultural living and active community.

Australia’s top retirement location was voted as Orange in NSW, followed by Rosebud in Victoria.

AMP research revealed Australians aged 40 and over are worried about being able to afford their ideal lifestyle when it comes to retirement – with three in five saying they were concerned, rising to seven in 10 for Australian women aged 40+ compared to half of Australian men in the same cohort.

More than one in three Australians aged 50+ are considering a relocation in retirement, and nearly four in 10 downsizers are in regional areas.

Citro managing director Toby Ellis said this year’s findings spoke to the challenges and concerns that many Australians aged 40 and over face when it comes to life after work.

“Australians over 40 are asking smart questions about where they’ll spend the next chapter of their lives,” he said.

“It’s about matching the practical – like affordability and healthcare – with the aspirational – like lifestyle and connection – to find the right place to really thrive in retirement.”