Some Ned Kelly Touring Route Sites
OLD MELBOURNE GAOL
Ned Kelly was executed at the Gaol on 11 November 1880, aged
25. Shortly before his death, Kelly reportedly uttered the
famous words "Such
is life". Displays include the condemned cell and gallows scene and
a suit of armour worn at Glenrowan during the "last stand" shoot
out with police. Case studies provide a fascinating glimpse
of what conditions were like for the hardened criminals who
were housed here between 1841 and 1929. The Gaol is Victoria's
oldest surviving prison. Open daily 9.30 am to 4.30 pm. Closed
Good Friday and Christmas Day.
AVENEL
Ned showed bravery early in life. As an 11 year old he rescued a boy from drowning in Hughes Creek and was presented with a green silk sash for his bravery by the boy's grateful parents. His father died here and is buried in the local cemetery. The sash, which Ned wore during the Glenrowan Siege, is on display at Benalla's Costume and Pioneer Museum. A local trail map of the various sites associated with Ned's early life is available from most commercial outlets in Avenel as well as the Nagambie and Euroa Visitor Information Centres.
EUROA
Following the events at Stringybark Creek the Kelly Gang recognised the need to secure adequate resources to support their life on the run. On 10 December 1879 the Gang staged a daring raid on Euroa and robbed the National Bank of 2,000 pounds. The story of the planning for the hold-up and memorabilia from the period is on display at the Farmers Arms Hotel Museum (open Friday-Monday). A local Euroa historic trail map is also available.
BENALLA
As the major town closest to Ned's home, Benalla was the epicentre of Kelly's bushranging days and was police headquarters for the Kelly Gang manhunt. The gang comprised Ned and Dan Kelly, Steve Hart and Joe Byrne. Sidney Nolan's tapestry depicting the siege - "Glenrowan" - is on display at the internationally renowned Benalla Art Gallery along with other Kelly-related works. At the Costume and Pioneer Museum you can step inside the portable cell once used to hold Ned Kelly. The museum also holds the green silk sash presented to Ned. Other Kelly sites include the cemetery, where gang member Joe Byrne is buried, the courthouse where the Kelly family appeared on various charges, and the bootmaker's shop where Kelly was once involved in a fight with several police. A comprehensive trail brochure with maps showing all the Ned Kelly sites is available
from the Visitor Information Centre. Guided tours operate throughout the year.
STRINGYBARK CREEK
The infamous shoot out between police and the Kelly Gang took place at Stringybark Creek on October 26 1878. The Gang surprised the police at their camp and, in the ensuing gun battle, three policemen were killed. A police memorial has been erected here and at Mansfield where the police are buried. The natural bush setting at Stringybark Creek is largely undisturbed and can be reached by a well-graded dirt road from either Benalla or Mansfield. CAUTION: Logging trucks frequently use this road.
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