BEVERIDGE

At a Glance

The third of eight children, Ned Kelly was born here between December 1854 and June 1855 to John “Red” Kelly and Ellen Kelly (formerly Quinn).

In 1842, aged 22, John Kelly was transported from Tipperary in Ireland to Van Diemen’s Land (Tasmania) for seven years for the theft of two pigs. He was freed in 1848, heading to Melbourne where he met his wife Ellen in 1850.

The couple moved to Beveridge where John Kelly built their house around 1860, from locally sourced timber, with a bluestone chimney and packed earth floor. Ned Kelly spent his early years here, attending the Beveridge Catholic School with two sisters Annie and Maggie.

Explore Beveridge & Surrounds

Just a short hop north of Melbourne and known for its extensive grassy plains, Beveridge is a fast-growing community in Mitchell Shire at the foot of the extinct volcano, Mt Fraser.

The first stop on the Ned Kelly Touring Route and the gateway to the Great Dividing Range, the Kelly story began in Beveridge where his original childhood home can still be seen as well as the bluestone church where he and his sisters went to school.

The Hunters Tryst Tavern, built by early settler, Andrew Beveridge, in 1841 and local drinking place of Ned’s father John Kelly, is still a busy country pub and a great place for a family meal.

Today Beveridge also boasts the new 18-hole Mandalay golf course and a sleek new clubhouse and restaurant. The course is surrounded by an easy 6 km walking trail for a leg stretch. The surrounding areas also offer scenic reserves dedicated to conserving local flora and fauna.

Other places to visit around Beveridge include Kilmore, Tooboorac, Puckapunyal, Tallarook and the main regional centre, Seymour, on the Goulburn River. The region is rich in pioneering, railway and military history, beautiful forests, cool climate wineries and Australia’s second longest rail trail.

Soak up stunning rural landscapes on a pedal through the heritage listed Trawool Valley along the Tallarook to Trawool leg of the Great Victorian Rail Trail. It’s worth timing a visit to coincide with the excellent Tallarook Farmers’ Market on the first Sunday of the month where dozens of stallholders sell fresh seasonal produce and artisan-made crafts.

In Seymour, Australia’s military history is commemorated, including the moving Vietnam Veterans’ walk and for railway buffs, a fascinating Heritage Railway Centre showcasing lovingly preserved steam and diesel locomotives.