Benalla Tours and Attractions

The Benalla Costume & Pioneer Museum and Visitor Information Centre

Benalla Visitor Information 

The Benalla Costume and Pioneer Museum, which houses the Visitor Information Centre and the Creators Gallery, specialises in costume. The Museum, founded in 1967 by the Benalla and District Historical Society, is now a fully accredited museum with the Museum Accreditation Program.

One of the most popular collections is the Ned Kelly memorabilia. The recently acquired video "The Kelly Story - A Pictorial Telling" contains some fascinating footage. The permanent collection includes Ned's sash and bridle displayed in a portable cell where Ned was twice imprisoned. The highlight of the exhibition is the authentic bloodstained, silk cummerbund, awarded to the young Ned for bravery after saving a boy from drowning and worn by him at the Siege of Glenrowan in 1880.

The museum specialises in costumes dating from 1770 to the present with regularly changing exhibitions.

A special room has been set aside to pay tribute to Benalla's most famous sons, Sir Edward 'Weary' Dunlop, war hero and surgeon, and Captain Hector Waller, war hero and naval captain.

Situated in Mair Street and open from 9am to 5pm daily, this high quality museum is a must for visitors to the region.