Around Benalla
Benalla is a small city located on the Broken River gateway to the High Country north-eastern region of Victoria, Australia, about 212 kilometers northeast of the state capital Melbourne. In 1974, the Broken River, which the town lies on, was dammed, creating an attractive and wide waterway known as Lake Benalla. Swimming and boating activities are popular on the lake which is surrounded by parkland and walking tracks. On the western bank of the river lies the town's botanical gardens which feature an art gallery, the Sir Weary Dunlop memorial statue, and Benalla's famous rose gardens which are home to a large variety of colorful roses. The eastern bank of Lake Benalla is lined with a recreational park adjacent to the council offices and a network of bicycle and walking tracks that traverse the several islands that exist in the lake.
Benalla Art Gallery
Benalla is home to one of the finest regional art galleries in Victoria.
The gallery was built in 1972 and is beautifully positioned within the mature grounds of the Botanical Gardens that sit adjacent to Lake Benalla.
The Benalla Art Gallery boasts a variety of art from some of Australia's contemporary and historic artists and is a venue for national and internationally touring exhibitions.
The Benalla Gallery Café is housed within the Benalla Art Gallery so you are able to enjoy great food and drink as well as enjoying great art.
Benalla Gliding Club
Benalla is renowned for its gliding conditions, with both thermals and waves. The Benalla Gliding Club and The Gliding Club of Victoria, attract gliding enthusiasts from around the world.
The Benalla Gliding Club has an excellent website crammed with information and tools and is well worth a visit.
Benalla with its weather and the landscape around it is a fantastic playground, and the club with its facilities and equipment a near-perfect setup.
Hot air ballooning competitions are also held regularly at the Gliding Club.
Benalla Performing Arts and Convention Centre
Benalla Performing Arts and Convention Centre opened in 2004 and is the centre piece of performing arts, cinema and convention facilities in North East Victoria. BPACC is also the "Main Stage" for GRADA (GOTAFE Regional Academy of Dramatic Art). GOTAFE is the Goulburn Ovens TAFE.
BPACC boasts a state of the art auditorium with a capacity of 344, three professional meeting rooms (with access to a further three rooms within the TAFE complex) and a large foyer area for the comfort of patrons. These superlative facilities make BPACC the ultimate choice in hosting business conferences, theatre, conventions, meetings or community events. The state of the art equipment and facilities at BPACC complement every event with high quality, professional and first class service.
Ned Kelly Trail
If you are fascinated by Australia's history as much as we are, then a visit to the Costume and Pioneer Museum is a must. The museum, as the name implies, specializes in costumes that date from 1770 onwards and are displayed in three large galleries and several smaller rooms. The exhibitions are changed regularly so with every visit you can view a new collection or theme.
Two permanent exhibitions reside here, with the famous Kelly Story highlighting the Kelly Gang's exploits in this area. The portable cell houses some fine memorabilia including Ned's sash and bridle, and some fine maps and information.
Ned Kelly was hanged as a murderer in Melbourne on the 11th of November 1880. He was 25 years old. He was a man with a strong sense of family, misunderstood by many, a larikin and underdog, bushranger and rebel, making his way in a country borne out of brutal, harsh convict settlement. What is astonishing is that when Ned was sentenced to hang, 30,000 people signed a petition asking for a reprieve. Sadly for Ned, he never was.
Wine and High Country
Enjoy the taste of Victoria's wineries, home to no less than six wine-growing regions. The families of Morris, Buller, Campbell, and Chambers put this area on the map for their famous Muscats and Tokays.
Local wine tours take in some of the area's finest wineries, such as Baileys, Brown Brothers, Booths, Morrisons of Glenrowan, and Auldstone Cellars. Long or short tours available, or even custom tours to suit your own itinerary, can be found by visiting the Tourist Information Centre on Mair Street.
Winton Raceway
Winton Motor Raceway is situated a short drive from The Executive Hideaway Motel in an area of undulating hills and farmland. We are the first choice for many motorsport enthusiasts wishing to enjoy the exhilaration of Winton's Motor Sport.
Winton is operated by the Benalla Auto Club which was formed in 1957. Three years later motor racing began at Winton and has remained a national institution for Australian Motorsport.
