On Ned Kelly’s Tail: Wild Winter Adventures on the Dark Side

Whether you’re entertaining curious kids, impressing visiting in-laws, or indulging your inner history buff, there’s a chill in the air and a chase to be had. Let’s hit the road, Kelly-style.

Start where the legend ends at Old Melbourne Gaol

Ned Kelly’s life came to a dramatic conclusion inside the walls of Old Melbourne Gaol — and his story still echoes through the bluestone corridors today. With over 100 executions carried out here (including Ned’s), and inmates ranging from bushrangers to gangsters, this place oozes dark history.

Your All-Day Ticket gets you access to all three levels of the Gaol. See Ned Kelly’s death mask, stand beneath the gallows, and explore thought-provoking exhibits on the often-overlooked stories of women and children who were also imprisoned here.

Travelling with kids? Get hands-on with Crime Busters – Forensic Investigators, a family-friendly activity trail (ages 5–8+) that lets young detectives follow clues, solve puzzles, and uncover the secrets behind two of the Gaol’s most mysterious figures — including Ned himself.

Located in Melbourne’s CBD, Old Melbourne Gaol is open daily from 10am to 5pm, with last entry at 4pm. Book your tickets here or save with a Membership.

Experience Ned Kelly’s Final Chapter: The Tour

Cloaked in shadows and full of suspense, Ned Kelly’s Last Stand – The Tour takes you into the heart of his final days.

Relive his bloodied arrival after the siege at Glenrowan. Step into his prison cell. Hear the words of a rushed defence, a ruthless judge, and a divided public. Then walk the same steps he did to the gallows.

Part immersive, part historical deep-dive — this is where history becomes hauntingly real.

Held inside the Old Melbourne Gaol in the CBD, this 45-minute guided tour runs on weekends and select nights — bookings are essential. Find out more here.

Unlock Secrets Beneath the Stone: Pentridge Prison Tours

Before his execution at Old Melbourne Gaol, Ned Kelly spent time locked up at Pentridge Prison — and his connection to this place didn’t end with his death.

Walk through the former bluestone cells and learn about the lives of those who lived and died here, from notorious criminals to forgotten inmates of Australia’s penal past. Pentridge is raw, real, and reveals truths buried (sometimes literally) deep beneath Melbourne.

Don’t miss: Bones and Burial Boxes: Digging Up the Past at Prison Burial Sites — a compelling exhibition that unearths the stories behind Melbourne’s hidden prison burial sites. Here, you’ll encounter real artefacts, chilling discoveries, and the controversial tale of Ned Kelly’s remains.

Pentridge Prison Tours run daily during School Holidays, and Thursday to Sunday at other times and is located just 20 minutes north of the Melbourne CBD in Coburg.

Hit the Road: The Ned Kelly Touring Route

For those ready to trade tram stops for bush tracks, take a self-guided journey through Kelly Country with the Ned Kelly Touring Route. Wind your way from Melbourne to Victoria’s north-east, tracing the infamous saga that shaped a legend.

A must-visit stop is Chiltern. In this preserved gold rush town, the warrant for Dan Kelly and cousin Jack Lloyd was signed — an act that sparked the Stringybark Creek murders, the Kelly Gang manhunt, and the siege at Glenrowan.

Stroll Chiltern’s heritage streetscapes, visit Lake View House and Dow’s Pharmacy – both National Trust properties- and fuel up with treats from the local bakery, country pub, or the ‘Posh Plonk’, the cellar door with personality. With V-Line access and charming stays, it’s the perfect historic detour.

Chiltern is a heritage-rich town located in Victoria’s High Country, accessible by road or V-Line and well-suited for an overnight stay or weekend escape.

Zoom In on the Legend: Mouthful of Dust – Online Experience

Back at home? Wind down your wild winter adventure with a digital deep-dive.

Mouthful of Dust, by State Library Victoria, brings Ned’s most iconic relics — his armour, rifle, boots, and death mask — into your living room. Examine them in 3D and hear modern Australian writers reflect on the power and legacy of these haunting objects.

Better yet, visit the Library in person. Just a short walk from Old Melbourne Gaol, the Redmond Barry Reading Room showcases Ned’s armour and the original Jerilderie Letter — his bold, defiant manifesto.

The State Library Victoria is open daily from 10am to 6pm and is located just minutes from Old Melbourne Gaol on Swanston Street.

So, who was Ned Kelly — criminal or cultural icon?

One thing’s certain: his story still fires the imagination. This winter, chase the legend, explore the dark corners of Victoria’s past, and spark new conversations in old places. Whether you’re travelling with the kids, catching up with visitors, or simply itching for a break with a twist — this is one adventure that’ll leave its mark.

Plan your wild winter with the National Trust, and become a member and save with FREE or discounted entry to many of our properties, tours and experiences on tickets.