Glenrowan

Glenrowan Events l

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.

Trails, Tasting and Tales - 9-11 June, 2012
There's something for everyone in the Glenrowan Wine Region this Queen's Birthday weekend. Five wineries play host to Trails, Tastings & Tales in Ned Kelly's old stomping ground in one of Australia's oldest and most historic wine regions.
The family-friendly food and wine festival will offer great food 'inspired by the vine' complemented by an array of regional red, white and fortified wines.
There will be art exhibitions on display at the wineries, live music, wine appreciation and learning sessions with the winemakers, fresh produce and preserves for purchase, a showing of veteran and classic cars and other cellar door entertainment to keep the visitor amused.
Cost of $5 to participate in the festival which includes a Glenrowan Wine Region tasting glass, to be used at each participating winery, and a 'Kelly Gang permit' to take with you to each winery on the trail. If visitors go to all five wineries and collect a stamp from each one, a 'pardon ticket' is issued. All 'pardon ticket' holders go in the draw to win Glenrowan winemakers' packs of premium regional wines, drawn July 2012.

Join the winemakers at Rinaldo's Wangaratta for the Trails, Tastings & Tales Festival degustation dinner on Sunday 10th June. Renowned chef, Adam Pizzini, will create a delicious five-course menu matched with premium Glenrowan regional wines. Enjoy a fine dining experience and chat to the makers about the region's signature wines.

The Glenrowan food and wine festival operates a 'no coaches' policy and strictly no BYO alcohol. Mini buses are welcome.

Click here to download the festival brochure

For more information about the event please email jennifer.booth@taminickcellars.com.au

Food and wine

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.

The cellar doors are intimate, historic and welcoming. Click here for winery details along with a map of the region.

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.

Click here to download our Glenrowan Fact Sheet including how to get here, where to stay and more regional highlights.