The art gallery is beautifully positioned within the mature grounds of the Botanical Gardens that sit adjacent to Lake Benalla.

The gallery boasts a variety of art from some of Australia's contemporary and historic artists and is a venue for national and international touring exhibitions, currently a superb tapestry hangs in the Gallery depicting Ned Kelly at the Siege of Glenrowan.

Benalla is also host to an annual rose festival held in the historic botanical gardens. The famous Sir Edward "Weary" Dunlop memorial is also situated within the botanical gardens.

Within close proximity to the Weary Dunlop Memorial, across the Broken River lies the Ceramic Mural, a fabulous and creative piece of architecture created by local potters and artists. Reminiscent of the late Spanish artist Gaudi's work in Barcelona, Spain, this mural is an inspiration to those who appreciate the modern palate and delight in its unique form. Not only a pleasant and imaginative piece of art, this structure brings an air of fantasy for children and grown ups.

If you are fascinated by Australia's history then a visit to the Costume and Pioneer Museum is a must. The museum, as the name implies, specialises in costumes which 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 premanent exhibitions reside here, the famous Kelly Story is one 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.

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.

The Kelly family were just one of many to suffer from the English class system and the already engrained Anglo-Irish hatred and resentment. His family were allegedly persecuted by the police, his land and tenure disputed and taken from under his nose. He fought for it and paid for it with his life.

The armour he wore was made from plough mould boards in Glenrowan in June 1880, this armour weighted him down during the siege and having already lost a lot of blood due to gunshot wounds he was captured and sent to Melbourne by train where he was incarcerated before his death.

Kelly had fought to save his brother and Steve Hart where others would have given up the fight, he persisted and became an Australian Legend.

www.thenedkellytrail.com