GLENROWAN
#visitwangaratta
At a Glance
On 28 June 1880 Ned Kelly, shot multiple times by police, was captured alive after a siege at the Glenrowan Inn.
The Kelly Gang’s alleged plan was to lure as many police to Glenrowan as possible after the murder of Aaron Sherritt, then derail the train bringing the officers from Melbourne. The plan failed after a local teacher, Thomas Curnow, signalled the train to warn of the ambush. Thirty four police were involved in
the subsequent shootout with the four Gang members.
Dan Kelly, Joseph Byrne and Steve Hart died at the siege, along with two of the 30 or so hostages held inside the inn, Martin Cherry and Johnny Jones who were killed by stray police bullets.
The “Last Stand” at Glenrowan was famously the place the outlaws appeared wearing the now iconic armour they had fashioned from heavy iron ploughs. The violent confrontation ended the two-year “Kelly outbreak”.
Explore Glenrowan & Surrounds
Glenrowan is at the foot of the ruggedly beautiful International Union for the Conservation of Nature (ICUN) listed Warby-Ovens National Park which the Kelly Gang is said to have used as a hideout. Now an important refuge for threatened communities of woodland birds, animals and plants, the park is
fantastic for bushwalks and stunning sunrise views from Mt Glenrowan.
The Glenrowan Wine Region includes historic Baileys winery, famous for its award-winning fortifieds and big red wines. Tastings are available at the 1870s cellar door. Sample local ales at Black Dog Brewery, one of the High Country’s renowned trail of craft breweries and visit farm gates for fresh seasonal fruit.
The area holds a selection of scenic road cycling rides, from the challenging Taminick Loop and the climb up the Taminick Gap to the easier ride out to the Winton Wetlands. Gravel and mountain bike riders are increasingly drawn to the region as they discover the area’s many kilometres of quiet country lanes.
Greta, home to the Kelly family after the death of Ned Kelly’s father John, is not far from Glenrowan. After the Glenrowan siege, relatives buried the remains of Dan Kelly and Steve Hart at the Greta Cemetery Reserve. Ellen Kelly was also buried there.
Take a scenic drive through Greta to Whitfield in the King Valley, home to Australian Prosecco thanks to the many Italian family winemakers here. Explore a fantastic range of cellar doors, cafes and restaurants and stay at boutique accommodation, pubs and caravan parks along the way.
From Whitfield it’s a 20 minute drive up the Mansfield Road to Power’s Lookout, offering sweeping views of the valleys and alpine ranges to the north and east. The lookout was named after Harry Power, bushranger and Kelly family associate said to have taken on a teenaged Ned Kelly as his criminal apprentice.
Historic Sites
The events of 1880 are commemorated in local museums and attractions. Take a self-guided walk following the Heritage Siege Precinct guide taking in places significant to the story including the sites of Ann Jones’ Glenrowan Inn, the police shelter site and the site of Ned Kelly’s capture.
Getting to Glenrowan
Glenrowan is a 10 minute drive from Wangaratta.
Visitor Information
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