Ned Kelly, if you’re unaware, was an infamous Australian bushranger who became a folk hero and symbol of resistance against colonial authorities in the late 19th century. Today, the Ned Kelly house that he was born into, and spent a good amount of his childhood in, still stands. The house is known as the Kelly Homestead and is located in Beveridge, Victoria—just an hour from Melbourne.
The Kelly Homestead was built by Ned Kelly’s father, John “Red” Kelly, in the early 1850s. It is a modest single-story structure made of timber and has a shingle roof. The house was situated on 40 acres of land and served as the family’s residence.
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Ned Kelly, born in 1854, spent his early years in this house with his parents and siblings. The Kelly family faced numerous difficulties, including conflicts with law enforcement and disputes over land ownership. These experiences are said to have contributed to the development of Ned Kelly’s rebellious nature and his eventual life of crime.
In June 1880, the Kelly Gang engaged in a violent confrontation with police at the Siege of Glenrowan, which ultimately led to the capture of Ned Kelly. During the siege, the Glenrowan Inn was set on fire by the police, and the building was partially destroyed. Ned Kelly was subsequently arrested, tried, and executed in November 1880.
Today, the Kelly Homestead is a popular tourist attraction and a part of Australia’s history. The remaining ruins of the house, including some stone foundations and remnants of the fireplace, have been preserved as a heritage site. Visitors can explore the site, learn about the Kelly family’s history, and gain insights into Ned Kelly’s life and the era of bushrangers in Australia.
Who lived in the Kelly House?
- Mary Jane | Born in 1851, but died during birth.
- Annie Kelly | Born in 1853. Annie married a man named Alex Gunn in Wangaratta and died in 1872.
- Edward “Ned” Kelly | Born in 1854, Ned Kelly was an infamous Australian bushranger and folk hero. He was the eldest son of John “Red” Kelly and Ellen Quinn. Ned was executed at Melbourne Gaol in 1880, famously uttering his last words, “such is life.”
- Margaret Kelly | Also known as Maggie, was born in 1857. She married a man named William Skillion in 1873 and had a son named William James. Maggie died in 1896.
- James Kelly | Born in 1859, James was a younger brother Ned Kelly and was not involved in the escapades of the notorious Kelly Gang. James was interviewed many times in his later years and was an important source for the Kelly side of the events before the Glenrowan siege.
- Dan Kelly | Dan was born in 1860 and was Ned Kelly’s younger brother. He was a member of the Kelly Gang and actively participated in their criminal activities. Like Ned, Dan was present during the Glenrowan siege, where he died along with friend Steve Hart in what is thought to have been a suicide pact.
- Catherine “Kate” Kelly | Born in the later Avenel house, Kate was born in 1863 and was Ned Kelly’s younger sister. She gained attention for her involvement in the gang’s activities, particularly her efforts to provide support and assistance to her brothers. Kate married William Henry Foster in 1888, and had four children, Fred, Gertrude, Maude, and Catherine. Kate died in Forbes, NSW in 1898.
- Grace Kelly | Also born in Avenel, Grace was born in 1865. She married a man named Sidney Griffiths in 1888.
