Kellyland is located at Glenrowan in Victoria’s magnificent High Country. This popular tourist attraction pays homage to Australia’s most famous bushranger, Ned Kelly and the last stand of the Kelly Gang on June 28, 1880. Through the magic of clever animatronics and special effects, the audience is transported back to this important event in Australia’s history.
The re-enactment of Ned Kellys last stand starts as you ride with police toward the township of Beechworth. You’ll be held captive by the Kelly Gang in the Glenrowan Inn before witnessing one of Australia’s most famous gunfights. As the heat and smoke subsides, you’ll arrive at the Old Melbourne Gaol to share in Ned Kelly’s last moments.
One of the main highlights of a tour through the town of Glenrowan is ‘Kellyland’ where visitors are enthralled by the realistic re-enactment of Ned Kelly’s Last Stand. There’s plenty more to enjoy at Kellyland including Kellyland’s museum. Here you can wander through and explore some amazing original artefacts.
The museum houses the bar from the McDonell’s Railway Tavern which was the Kelly Gang’s local watering hole. On display are Victoria Police artefacts, wanted posters, original photographs, antique firearms, even Ned’s death mask. There’s also a fabulous collection of the works of acclaimed Australian artist John Dollery.
There’s a giftshop at Kellyland where you can take home some memorabilia from Ned Kelly’s Last Stand as well as interesting items like handmade Kelly armour and helmets! In Glenrowan you can continue exploring bushranger and local history at The Ned Kelly Museum and Homestead, Glenrowan Blacksmith Shop and Armoury and a history walk.
Glenrowan lies in the Wangaratta area, 236 kilometres north-east of Melbourne. A six-metre-high Ned Kelly welcomes visitors to town and a plaque at his feet reads: “Ned Kelly - Hanged a murderer in Melbourne, November 11, 1880 - not 26 years old - described as a rebel, bushranger by necessity, a bush battler, underdog, sometimes gentleman, sometimes larrikin and a man with a strong sense of family.”
The area has a rich gold prospecting history and is known for its hardy cattlemen and women. The region boasts Victoria's highest peaks, pristine national parks, clear mountain lakes and many of the state’s popular ski resorts.
Glenrowan also has a long history of winegrowing and is home to some of the most famous vineyards in Victoria. Driving through the region today, visitors stop and enjoy an abundance of farm gates offering fresh produce including the most delicious stone fruit such as cherries, apricots and peaches.
On June 28, 1880 the Kelly Gang attempted to derail and ambush a police train and failed. At Glenrowan Inn they took on the police in what became their final battle known as Ned Kelly’s Last Stand.
The gang was wanted for the murders of three police officers at Stringybark Creek in 1878. Three of the gang - Dan Kelly, Joseph Byrne and Steve Hart - were killed in the siege and Ned Kelly the only survivor, was seriously wounded and captured.
The animatronic show depicting the Kelly Gang’s last stand runs for approximately 40 minutes. There is plenty more to explore on a trip to Kellyland’s museum, some wonderful artworks and the giftshop.
Glenrowan was named after local farmers James and George Rowan who farmed in the area between 1846 and 1858. The township of Glenrowan was settled in the late 1860s and the Post Office opened in 1870.
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