Some more Ned Kelly Touring Route Sites
GLENROWAN
On June 28 1880 the Kelly Gang bailed up the townsfolk of Glenrowan in the Ann Jones Inn as part of their grand plan to create a Republic of North East Victoria. Ned's brother Dan and two other gang members, Steve Hart and Joe Byrne, died during the epic shoot out with the police. Although wearing his unique hand-made armour, Ned was finally brought to the ground and captured after sustaining 28 gunshot wounds in his final dramatic battle with the police. The story of the Glenrowan Siege is told in a walking trail map that guides visitors around a number of informative signs located where the major incidents occurred.
BEECHWORTH
Beechworth is Australia's best preserved gold town. All four members of the Kelly Gang spent some time in Beechworth Gaol, Ned for a total of two years.
Ned appeared in the Beechworth Courthouse on August 6 1880 on a charge of murder. He was committed to stand trial here before returning to Melbourne for his Supreme Court trial and subsequent hanging.
Ned's mother Ellen also appeared in the Beechworth Court, in 1878, and was held in the Beechworth Gaol for a short time before being taken to Melbourne to complete her sentence. The Courthouse is just one of a number of remarkable 19th century buildings making up the Beechworth Historic and Cultural Precinct, which provides a fascinating insight into life during the gold rush and Ned Kelly era.
You can visit many of Ned's former haunts by following the Golden Mile walking trail. A brochure and much more information on Ned is available from the Beechworth Visitor Information Centre.
JERILDERIE
The Kelly Gang captured the southern New South Wales town of Jerilderie in February 1879, and robbed the local bank of 2,000 pounds. Here, Ned gave his Jerilderie Letter to the bank's accountant for publication as well as printing in the Jerilderie Gazette. It outlined Kelly's defence of the Gang's actions at Stringybark Creek, but was not published until after Kelly's death. After Beechworth, Jerilderie has the most Kelly-related buildings and sites, including the Post and Telegraph Office which was disabled by the Gang to prevent news of their robbery spreading. A walking "raid trail" map is available from The Willows Pioneer Museum next door to the Telegraph Office.
POWERS LOOKOUT (King Valley-Whitfield-Mansfield Rd)
Harry Power, a fellow bushranger to whom a teenaged Ned was "apprenticed" for a time, hid himself in the ranges at the head of the King Valley.
His camp was located near a hollow tree, through which holes were bored to give him a complete view of the valley. The highest spot above the campsite is now a popular viewing point known as Powers Lookout and has magnificent views of the valley, surrounding vineyard and tobacco farms. An entertaining hsitory of Harry Power and the region is located in the car park.
MANSFIELD
The three policeman killed at Stringybark Creek are buried in Mansfield Cemetery. There is also an impressive marble monument in the main street funded by public donation. The proclamation resulting in the Gang members being declared outlaws was made from the steps of the Mansfield Courthouse on November 15 1878. The Courthouse is still in use today. |
