Glenrowan

Glenrowan is the site of the final siege and capture of bushranger Ned Kelly and his gang in 1880. Their story is preserved in its attractions, museums and historic walks. Glenrowan is on the Hume Freeway just south of Wangaratta in North East Victoria.

Glenrowan has a long and rich wine making history. Folklore has it that Ned Kelly helped the Bailey family plant their first grapevines as a fencing contractor. The last 130 years have established Glenrowan a reputation for full-bodied reds, particularly Shiraz and Durif, fragrant whites, and delicious fortified wines.

Trails, Tasting and Tales – Saturday 12 to Monday 14 June 2010
Celebrate the Queen's birthday long weekend from Saturday 12 June to Monday 14 June 2010 in the Glenrowan Wine Region for Trails, Tastings and Tales food and wine festival. Over the course of the weekend visitors can enjoy a range of interesting attractions happening at each winery. For more information about the event please email jennifer.booth@taminickcellars.com.au

Glenrowan Winemaker's Weekend – Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 October 2010
Join us for the fifteenth annual Glenrowan wine region's Winemakers' Weekend Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 October 2010. The weekend will be full of activity, at a slow pace, for lovers of deep and complex wines and wholesome food. The dinner on Saturday evening hosted by seven regional wineries is called 'Slow Food from the Producer's Paddock'.

Renowned local chefs will source the finest of local, seasonal produce to create a delicious slow prepared four-course dinner matched with regional wines specially selected by the winemakers. On Sunday there'll be tastings at each of the participating wineries, a delicious breakfast, wine appreciation sessions and the opportunity to share the magic of Glenrowan regional wines with the winemakers at each winery.

Tickets cost $120 each for the whole weekend which includes food, wine and music, plus winemakers’ events. For further information and to make a booking please email jennifer.booth@taminickcellars.com.au

Legends and history
On 28 June 1880 Ned led Joe Byrne, Dan Kelly and Steve Hart against a formidable police force. With the townsfolk kept hostage in the local inn, Ned’s plan to upset the establishment and form the Republic of North East Victoria came unstuck when he was duped by the local school teacher.

During the dramatic shoot out at the Kelly Gang siege, bullets bounced off the Gang’s ingenuous armour made from the shears of mould-board ploughs. The sight of the Gang in their imposing suits amidst the foggy moonlit night struck the fear of the unnatural into the police and it took several hours to bring Ned down. Ned was hung for his crimes while the other members of the Gang perished during the siege.

Kelly’s shadow still looms large over the North East. The siege at Glenrowan brought about a climatic end to the Kelly uprising and is commemorated annually around the 28 June in and around the township with a series of events and informative lectures. The Ned Kelly museums at Glenrowan explain the whole story and are a must see whilst in the region. You can also visit the actual sites of the Gang’s last stand as part of the Ned Kelly Touring Route

Bushwalks, bike rides and wildlife
Sweeping views from the Warby Range State Park southwards out over Lake Mokoan or north-east towards Mt Buffalo offer many options for a picturesque picnic spot, bird watching and bushwalking. Explore the Warby Ranges, including Ryan’s Lookout, Mount Glenrowan and Salisbury Falls (during the cooler months) and see the country through the eyes of Ned Kelly.