The population is static - about 100 families live there - and they have hung onto the essential services of a shop, school, pub and police station.

It's a far cry from the mining era of the late 1800s when there were 2000 residents and 21 hotels, but locals don't mind if their little piece of paradise remains hidden.

Given the Towong Shire town is only 25 minutes from Albury-Wodonga, plenty of residents commute.

Some were born in the area, never to leave.

Others stumbled across the place and loved the views, the peace and the friendliness of the community.

The tranquillity was interrupted twice this year when two long-term residents made headlines.

Stalwart John Mitchell died last month and was buried in the cemetery overlooking the town.

The former Towong mayor had been the face of the Save our Saleyards campaign, passionate about keeping the Bandiana saleyards where they are, especially for the sake of Upper Murray beef producers.

"Dad travelled a lot and always said Bethanga was God's own country," Mr Mitchell's daughter Catherine told his funeral service.

Then in September, the promotion of a proposed Guy Fawkes protest by Bethanga shopkeeper Richard Wright brought member for Benambra staffer Tony Tynan undone.

Mr Tynan was stood down from Bill Tilley's office, after he forwarded an email to journalists about Mr Wright's planned protest in Canberra.

Now life has settled down again in the hamlet, Mr Wright says there's plenty to enjoy about Bethanga.

"There are three published authors and very smart, able people here -- it's a thinking town, we don't go with the drift," he said.

"We've got a fine school, a police station, churches and we're close to the water and an hour from the snow -- it's almost paradise."

Courthouse Hotel publican Leslie Smith has a loyal clientele and attracts plenty of patrons from Albury-Wodonga, who are attracted by the family atmosphere and the absence of pokies in her country pub.

While she admits running a small business like hers is tough in Bethanga -- Ms Smith works at Tall- angatta as well to keep her ship afloat -- she is doing plenty to encourage people to make a special trip to the town over the hill.

"We need tourism and it's a nice 25-minute drive from Albury-Wodonga through Bellbridge," she said.

"We're open seven days a week for lunch and dinner."