avenel heritage and nature trail

Activity • tracks & trails - avenel

The town of Avenel is steeped in history.  "Avenel Run" Pastoral Holding 60,000 acres was taken up by Henry Kent Hughes in 1838 and named after his former property "Avenel" in England. Hughes also gave his name to the creek running through the property.

The historic Avenel Bridge over the Hughes Creek, with its sandstone arches is a reminder of the architecture of a different era.  You can also spot the Aboriginal scar trees, evidence of the Taungurung peoples if you take a look around Stewart Park.

The first Overland Mail travelled from Melbourne to Sydney in 1839. It followed a route known as the Old Sydney Road which had been created by drovers and bullock wagons. The road crossed Hughes Creek at a shallow, sandy ford which became a camping place for teamsters. 

In 1847 a timber bridge was built across the creek and then in 1859 a six-arch stone bridge was built by Hugh Dalrymple for the Victorian Board of Land and Works. The new bridge was a response to the goldrush to Beechworth which had seen the traffic on the road increase dramatically. The bridge was decommissioned in 1969.

Avenel's most famous citizen was Ned Kelly. In the early 1860s Kelly's father, John Kelly, took the entire family to live in Avenel. Ned lived in the town from the age of 8 until his father died when he was only 12. It is widely accepted that Ned saved a boy named Richard Shelton from drowning in Hughes Creek in 1864. Ned was only ten at the time. He was subsequently rewarded with a green sash which he wore at Glenrowan when he dressed in his infamous armour. The sash is on display in Benalla.