Ned Kelly Animatronic Museum

Although Ned Kelly has consistently ranked high in polls of most famous Australian people, opinions on the man are very split. Some see him as a freedom-fighting Robin Hood equivalent, while others see him as a dangerous criminal who murdered people and had a blatant disregard for the law. No matter your opinion, one of the most important locations in the Ned Kelly story is the small town of Glenrowan.

Glenrowan forms part of the Ned Kelly Trail, which is well worth travelling on and includes multiple museums that tell the Ned Kelly story, as well as important locations such as his old house and fathers grave. Perhaps the most interesting attraction on the trail is the Ned Kelly Animatronic Museum which lies within the Glenrowan tourist center.

This unique attraction tells the story of Ned Kelly’s last stand, using animatronic figurines and special effects. The center is rather dated and bizarre at times, however, this adds to the enjoyment of the experience. You walk through various rooms telling the story, with the most enjoyable part being an explosive gunfight outside in the yard. Finally, you travel through what appears to be the owner’s front room, filled with Disney memorabilia that has no relevance to Ned.

It is great to see special effects being done the old way with the use of water, steam, and explosions rather than the overused virtual effects of modern times. This is a strange but totally unique experience, which is well worth traveling to.