Glenrowan is a town on the Hume Highway in Victoria. It is famous for being the location of the last stand of Australian folk hero and bushranger Ned Kelly and thus, is often colloquially called "Ned Kelly town".
Understand
Ned Kelly was an outlaw. A bushranger, who robbed and stole. He was also held as a folk hero of the time, for standing up against corrupt and tyrannical police of the time. After two years on the run, he was finally captured in Glenrowan. The police has anticipated his arrival, and laid siege to the Glenrowan Inn. Kelly was eventually taken alive, and later executed at Melbourne Gaol.
Get in
If you are travelling the Hume, the Glenrowan is just a short diversion from the Highway, just 7km south of Wangaratta service station.
No train service stops at Glenrowan, although the line and trains pass through the town. Coaches connect with the station at nearby Wangaratta, from where you can get train services to Albury and Sydney, or to Melbourne.
Get around
Walking. It's so small, that it takes more effort to take your car than walk. Even in hot 40° days.
See
- Animated Theatre Show. This is the major attraction in Glenrowan, and has a reenactment of Ned Kelly's last stand. It goes through four rooms and sets, including one outside set. There are animated models in each set, and the show is triggered as your group pass into each set. It is interesting and well put together, but the technology shows its age. The price of admission will only give you 30 minutes of entertainment to progress through the four shows. You can't do it any slower or faster. Young children may be scared by some of the inside scenes, that get dark with loud noises. adults $27, children $20, group and family discounts available.
- The siege site. You can walk around the siege site, but you will need a good imagination, as there is not much left standing to see.
- Ned Kelly Museum (Ned Kelly Museum & Homestead), 35 Gladstone St, +61 3 5766 2448. 9:30AM-4PM Daily. 2021-06-23
- The Big Ned Kelly, cnr Gladstone and Kate Streets, -36.464°, 146.2212°. 24/7. Just a huge statue of Ned Kelly. 2021-06-23
Do
There's nothing to do in Glenrowan, only see.
Buy
- Gift Shop, 35 Gladstone St. 9:30AM-4PM Daily. 2021-06-23
Eat
There are choice of cafes, restaurants and bakeries.
- Ned's Burger House, Gladstone Street, Glenrowan (Take the Glenrown exit from the hume Highway, and stop opposite the public amenities.). 9-9. Excellent Aussie and Greek food to be had, and a refreshing and easy stop. No chance of getting lost and Souvlaki as good as you can get anywhere. A post ski or fatigue beating stop. Under $10
Drink
There are no pubs in Glenrowan. You need to go to Wangaratta to have your portion of beer.
Sleep
There aren't anywhere where you can stay in Glenrowan. However, on the flipside, accommodation is plentiful in Wangaratta and it's only 7.7km away.
Connect
Telstra, Optus and Vodafone all work here.
Go next
- Wangaratta is your next obvious spot, and also Victorian premier Dan Andrews' hometown.