Ned Kelly Touring Route
It may be more than 140 years since the life of Australia's most famous bushranger ended on the gallows of the Melbourne Gaol.
But the events of that time continue to both fascinate and divide public opinion. Many people's lives were impacted and for their families and descendants, these stories are personal and powerful. With each new telling of the story in popular culture, in books, theatre, art, music, cinema, newspapers and magazines, in blogs and historical re-enactments, the lines between fact and fiction have often become blurred.
Taking a journey along the Ned Kelly Touring Route from Melbourne to Jerilderie in southern NSW, via Beveridge, Avenel, Euroa, Benalla, Mansfield, Stringybark Creek, Glenrowan, Chiltern, Eldorado & the Woolshed Valley, and Beechworth, is a great way to explore the story in detail, and to discover the different perspectives of those who were actually there, in the context of the times they lived.
Along the way, visit historically significant sites, join a guided tour of places associated with the Kelly story, view original artefacts and artworks at excellent regional museums and galleries and gain a deeper understanding of why this is still hotly debated and often mythologised in Australian popular culture.
The route not only connects destinations immortalised the events of the "Kelly saga" of the 1860s and 1870s, it also offers a ready-made itinerary for a memorable road trip that takes in a scenic and culturally rich slice of south-eastern Australia.
The Kelly Story
The era of Ned Kelly and his gang is one of the most remarkable episodes in Australia's history. Spanning just two short years between 1878 and 1880 the 'Kelly outbreak' has assumed epic proportions in the Australian psyche, and Ned Kelly is arguably Australia's best known historical character. His short and violent life has been a continuing inspiration for poets, writers, artists and filmmakers. Being "as game as Ned Kelly" is regarded as an admirable trait - courageous, resolute and independent.
Just who was Ned Kelly? Behind the head piece of his famous, crude suit of armour was a man of many faces. He was a common criminal. He was a hero to Irish immigrants, who were persecuted by the establishment. He was a bushranger who held up a whole town, not just banks. He was intensely protective of his family, and avenged a police officer's assault on his sister.
Ned was barely educated, yet his famous letters were poetic and passionate. He murdered police officers, was outlawed and could be shot on sight by anyone. Yet when he was sentenced to hang, more than 30,000 people signed a petition asking for a reprieve.
"The day will come when we will all have to go to a bigger court than this." - Ned Kelly to Justice Sir Redmond Barry on being sentenced to death in October 1880.
Ned Kelly has never faded from our national consciousness. Indeed the passing years have served to build Kelly's legendary stature. Why? Perhaps because he had so many qualities ordinary Australians admire. He was a larrikin. Loyal to his family and ready to sacrifice himself for his mates. Represented the struggling classes. Thumbed his nose at the establishment. And he was fearless.
Whatever the truth, Ned Kelly is a central figure in the Australian national identity, characterised by his ambivalent status as both a hero and a villain. He is part of our folklore, our popular culture and our art.
Explore the Route
All the major Kelly sites are marked with informative signs such as the one shown here, recognisable by the distinctive helmet symbol.
The signs provide commentary on the events that occurred at the site and expand on the information
contained in this brochure. Some sites and townships also have a centrally located larger sign providing an overview to help you get the most from your visit.
Ned Kelly Touring Route Sites
OLD MELBOURNE GAOL
Ned Kelly was executed on November 11, 1880. It is the most recalled of more than 130 hangings in this gaol, Victoria's oldest, that operated from 1842 to 1924. Those very gallows remain where Ned's famous last words were spoken. Features of this award winning site include Ned's death mask, the last revolver he used complete with the bullet mark that smashed his hand and a cell and spaces dedicated to telling his story.
VICTORIA POLICE MUSEUM
Every story has two sides. Examine the history of the Kelly Outbreak through the experiences of the police involved. See original forensic exhibits, and learn what life would have been like for an officer in the 1880s. From Ned Kelly's blood stained cartridge bag, to the infamous armour worn by Dan Kelly and Steve Hart the Victoria Police Museum will challenge and surprise you.
AVENEL
In 1865, the township of Avenel hailed 10 year old Ned Kelly as a "hero" for his act of bravery in rescuing a young boy from drowning in the swollen waters of Hughes Creek. As a gesture of appreciation, the family awarded Ned with a 7 foot long, green silk sash. The sash, which Ned later wore during the Glenrowan Siege, is on display at Benalla's Benalla Costume and Pioneer Museum. Ned Kelly's father died in Avenel in 1866 and is buried in the local cemetery. The grave site, along with a number of other significant sites, form part of a local trail.
EUROA
The infamous robbery of the Euroa National Bank by the Kelly Gang in December 1878 was the result of a carefully staged plan designed to draw the attention of both politicians and the public alike to the perceived injustices surrounding the Stringybark Creek incident. The robbery succeeded in its goals, netting the Kelly Gang 2,260 pounds and raising awareness of their cause. However, it also cemented their reputation as outlaws, and the resolve of the police to apprehend the Gang. The full story of the bank robbery, together with an extensive collection of memorabilia from the period, are on display at the Farmers Arms Hotel Museum in Euroa.
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 Benalla Costume and Pioneer Museum you can step inside the portable cell once used to hold Ned Kelly, this is an opportunity to live history. The museum also holds the green silk sash presented to Ned in gratitude for saving the young boy in Avenel . 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.
STRINGYBARK CREEK
The infamous shoot out between police and the Kelly Gang took place at Stringybark Creek on 26 October 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.
EL DORADO AND THE WOOLSHED VALLEY
The Woolshed Valley had spawned a chain of gold rush towns during the 1850s and 60s. It sprang to new life with the Kelly Outbreak in 1878. Joe Byrne, lieutenant of the Kelly Gang, lived in Sebastopol and had attended the Woolshed School with his lifelong mate, Aaron Sherrett. Key sites are the murder scene, The Kelly Cave (briefly used by the Gang after the police killings) and the 'police caves' where 'watch parties' camped. Kelly items are on view at the Eldorado Museum.
GRETA
Ned Kelly lived in Greta on Fifteen Mile Creek from the age of 12, when the family moved here after his father died. The Kellys continued to live here after Ned was captured and hanged. Today the house site is privately owned by Kelly descendants and not open to the public. It was from Greta station that Fitzpatrick, newly arrived, rode out to the Kelly house with a belly full of booze and glory on his mind - either from making a conquest with Kate or bringing in Dan, wanted on charges of horse stealing - the incident which kicked off the events that culminated in the standoff at Glenrowan. Greta cemetery is the final resting place for Ned Kelly.
He was buried here on January 20, 2013 in an unmarked grave alongside his mother Ellen Kelly (nee Quinn) and his younger brother Jim. Fellow Kelly Gang members
Dan Kelly and Steve Hart are also buried here. Visitors from all around the world have signed the visitor's book located at the cemetery rotunda.
GLENROWAN
On 28 June 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 their epic shoot out with the police. Although wearing his unique hand-made armour, Ned was finally brought down and captured after sustaining 28 gunshot wounds in his final dramatic battle with the police.
BEECHWORTH
Beechworth is Australia's best-preserved gold town. All four members of the Kelly Gang spent time in Beechworth Gaol, Ned for a total of two years. Ned appeared in the Beechworth Courthouse on 6 August 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 Beechworth Gaol 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. Guided Ned Kelly walking tours depart daily from the Visitor Information Centre. Beechworth Gaol is also now open to the public for self guided tours, which includes a visit to Ned Kelly's cell.
JERILDERIE
Thumbing his nose at the NSW constabulary, the Kelly Gang crossed the Murray River, arriving at the town of Jerilderie on 8 February 1879, to deliver a letter for publication that outlined Ned's defence of the Kelly Gang's actions at Stringybark Creek. In the process he relieved the town's bank of 2000 pounds. Unfortunately, the Jerilderie Letter, providing both insight and motive for Kelly's actions, wasn't published until long after his death. Walk in the footsteps of the Kelly Gang, exploring the six buildings visited by Ned or his Gang that are still in existence, including the Post and Telegraph Office which was disabled by the Gang to prevent news of their robbery spreading. If you are feeling generous, you can 'shout the bar' at the Royal Mail Hotel, as Ned did all those years ago.
POWERS LOOKOUT
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 vineyards. An entertaining history of Harry Power and the region is located in the car park.
MANSFIELD
The three policemen killed at Stringybark Creek are buried in Mansfield Cemetery. There is also an impressive marble monument to them in the main street which was funded by public donation. The proclamation resulting in the Gang members being declared outlaws was made from the steps of the Mansfield Courthouse on 15 November 1878. The Courthouse is still in use today.
Timeline of Key Events in the Life of Edward 'Ned' Kelly
1854 c. December: Ned is born at Beveridge, the third child and first son of John 'Red' Kelly and Ellen Kelly (nee Quinn).
1859 Ned attends Beveridge Catholic School. 'Red' Kelly builds the family house that still stands.
1860 Kelly family move to Avenel where they rent a 20 acre dairy farm from Eliza Mutton. Ned attends Avenel Common School
1866 (approx): Ned saves seven-year old Richard Shelton from drowning and receives a green silk sash from Richard's grateful parents Esau and Margaret Shelton.
27 December: Ned's father 'Red' Kelly dies of Dropsy. He is buried at Avenel Cemetery.
1867 Kelly family move to Greta. Later that year Ellen Kelly takes up an 88 acre selection at Eleven Mile Creek.
1869 26 October: Ned is acquitted of robbing and assaulting Chinese Hawker, Ah Fook.
1870 23 June: Ned is acquitted of 'robbery under arms', whilst 'apprenticed' to Harry Power.
10 November: Ned is sentenced to three months for violent assault and a further three months for sending indecent letters to a female. He serves his sentence at Beechworth Gaol and is released in March 1871 after a two month remission.
1871 May: Ned is sentenced to three years in gaol for Receiving a Stolen Horse. Ned serves 18 months at Beechworth Gaol before being transferred to Pentridge Prison and serves a period on board the prison hulk, Sacramento. He is released with a six month remission for good behaviour in February 1874.
1874 19 February: Ellen Kelly marries Californian George King at Benalla. Ned signs the marriage register as a witness.
8 August: Ned wins a twenty round, bare-knuckle fight with 'Wild' Wright at Beechworth and becomes 'unofficial boxing champion' of the North-East.
1875 Ned works as foreman of a sawmill providing timber sleepers for the Beechworth railway.
1877 September: Ned is fined for being drunk and disorderly, assaulting police, resisting arrest and damaging a police uniform, after a fight with Constable Fitzpatrick and Constable Lonigan at Benalla.
1878 March: Warrant is issued for Ned's arrest for horse-stealing.
15 April: The 'Fitzpatrick Incident' takes place, resulting in the arrest of Ned's mother Ellen Kelly, brother-in-law William Skilling and neighbour William Williamson. Ellen Kelly is later sentenced to three years in gaol for aiding and abetting the attempted murder of Constable Fitzpatrick.
26 October: Sergeant Kennedy and Constables Lonigan and Scanlan are shot dead in a gunfight between Ned and Dan Kelly and their mates, Joe Byrne and Steve Hart, at Stringybark Creek. The gunfight 'creates' the Kelly Gang.
30 October: The Reward for the Gang is announced at f2000.
15 November: Members of the Kelly Gang are outlawed by an Act of Victorian Parliament.
9-10 December: Kelly Gang bails up Faithfull's Creek Station and robs the National Bank at Euroa.
1879 3-4 January: 23 Kelly sympathisers arrested and imprisoned at Beechworth Gaol.
8-10 February: Kelly Gang bails up the town of Jerilderie and robs the Bank of New South Wales. Ned hands his Jerilderie Letter to Edwin Living for publication.
15 February: Reward for the Kelly Gang reaches f8000
1879-80 Feb 1879 - June 1880: THE KELLY GANG EVADE CAPTURE.
1880 26 June: Aaron Sherritt is shot by Joe Byrne in the Woolshed Valley, signaling the start of Ned's 'Glenrowan campaign'.
27-28 June: The Siege of Glenrowan takes place. Joe Byrne, Dan Kelly and Steve Hart are killed, along with civilians John Jones, Martin Cherry and George Metcalfe. Ned Kelly is captured.
6-11 August: Ned's committal hearing is held at Beechworth. Ned is ordered to stand trial for the murder of Constable Thomas Lonigan.
28-29 October: Ned's trial is held at the Supreme Court in Melbourne. Judge Sir Redmond Barry presides. Ned is found guilty of Lonigan's murder and is sentenced to death.
11 November: Ned is executed at the Melbourne Gaol.
1881 February: Ellen Kelly is released from Melbourne Gaol.
23 March-20 September: Royal Commission into the Kelly Outbreak hears evidence.
1929 April: Ned's remains are exhumed from the Old Melbourne Gaol and re-buried in a mass grave at Pentridge Prison.
2009 Mass grave at Pentridge Prison discovered. Ned's remains are identified in 2011.
2013 18 January: Ned is buried in an unmarked grave at Greta Cemetery.
Web Links
→ nedkellytouringroute.com.au
→ Ned Kelly Touring Route Brochure (PDF)
