Monument to Constables Lonigan, Scanlon and Kennedy - all killed by Ned Kelly's gang near Stringybark Creek.

Mansfield (including Bonnie Doon, Merrijig, Goughs Bay, Bonnie Doon and Howqua Hills)
Attractive service town noted for its strong associations with the Kelly Gang.
Mansfield is a very charming sub-alpine town of wide streets, old buildings and well-established trees. It is situated on Fords Creek in a pretty valley which is surrounded by the foothills of the Great Dividing Range, near the north-eastern tip of Lake Eildon. Because of its location it is essentially a resort town and an excellent winter base for those headed to Mount Buller and Mt Stirling. As such it is well-geared for the tourist dollar with a range of accommodation, ski and equipment hire shops and plenty of restaurants. The beauty of the local scenery has attracted filmmakers who have used it as the setting for the two Man From Snowy River films, The Far Country and Cool Change.

Mansfield has a current population of some 2500 people. It is 185 km north-east of Melbourne via the Melba, Goulburn Valley and Maroondah Highways and 316 m above sea-level.

Prior to European settlement the area is thought to have been occupied by the Youngillim or Wuywurrung Aborigines. Explorers Hamilton Hume and William Hovell passed through the area. In the late 1830s the Hunter and Watson Pastoral Company leased vast amounts of the Mansfield Valley and their employees were probably the first Europeans in the area. The first run was established in 1839. The run was subdivided into seven smaller stations in 1842. The father of Dame Nellie Melba established a lime quarry on one of these allotments.

Mansfield began in 1846 as a designated stock route camp. The townsite was surveyed and lots sold in 1851. The breadth of the main street was to enable bullock teams to do U-turns. The settlement was named after early European settler Edward Mansfield and developed as a commercial centre for the many small goldmining settlements established to the south in the 1850s.

After the initial rush Mansfield settled down to become a service centre to a grazing, farming and timbergetting community. One of the timbergetters who worked in the area for two or three years, following his release from prison in 1874, was Ned Kelly, Australia's most notorious bushranger and perhaps its best-known figure.

In 1878, after an incident at the Kelly home (see entry on Glenrowan) the 22-year-old Ned and his younger brother Dan went into hiding in the Wombat Ranges just to the north-east of Mansfield. Two police parties (one from Mansfield and one from Benalla) headed into the mountains to capture them. At Stringybark Creek (near Tolmie), on October 25, the two brothers, with two visiting companions (Steve Hart and Joe Byrne), surprised constables Lonigan and McIntyre at their camp. Lonigan had had a previous run-in with Ned at Benalla. Ned called for them to bail up. The unarmed McIntyre complied but Lonigan jumped behind a log. When he raised his head to fire he was shot by Kelly and died almost immediately.

Two other constables from the party were out searching for the brothers. McIntyre was advised that if he instructed his colleagues to surrender when they returned they would be allowed to return to Mansfield after donating their horses and guns.

As constables Scanlon and Kennedy rode into camp, McIntyre complied but his actions were taken as a jest. Kelly then appeared, demanding their compliance. Kennedy leapt from his horse firing. After getting off one shot, Scanlon was killed by Kelly before he could dismount. As Kennedy ran from tree to tree for cover he was shot in the armpit. A second bullet pierced him close to his heart then Kelly, who had fired both shots, advanced and shot him directly through the heart which, he said, was to prevent further suffering before an inevitable death.

Grave of Constable Lonigan in Mansfield cemetery

McIntyre escaped during the fracas to spread the news. All four constables were of Irish descent (like the Kellys) and all were considered outstanding members of the force. The news shocked the country and caused considerable concern. As a consequence, the gang members were outlawed with 500-pound rewards offered for each man, alive or dead (for the rest of the Kelly story see the entries on Glenrowan, Euroa and Jerilderie).

Mansfield's annual events include a Harvest Festival on the Labour Day long weekend in March, a Hot Air Balloon Festival in February-March, a Mountain Country Festival in late October or early November (which includes the Great Mountain Race for cross-country horseriders) and the Agricultural Show on the third Sunday of November.

Things to see:  

Tourist Information
Mansfield Visitor Information Centre in old railway station on High St. It is open daily from 10.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m., tel: (03) 5775 1464. They operate an accommodation booking service and can fill you in on the possibilities for horseriding, camel treks, bushwalking, canoeing, waterskiing, trout fishing, sailboarding, gold panning, fossicking, hot-air ballooning, 4WD tours, ski and equipment hire, mountain-bike riding and white-water rafting. They also have a booklet outlining the town's historic buildings.

Monument
At the corner of High and Highett Sts is a substantial marble monument within the roundabout which was erected in 1880 as a tribute to constables Lonigan, Kennedy and Scanlon who were killed by Ned Kelly at Stringybark Creek to the north-east of town in 1878. They are buried in the cemetery at the end of Highett St.

Highton Manor

Highton Manor
The imposing Highton Manor, in Highton Lane, was the town's first two-storey brick home. Built in 1896, it features impressive stained-glass windows. Its original owner, Francis Highett, was a Victorian tennis champion. Also a notable singer he performed duets with Dame Nellie Melba and sang in St Paul's Cathedral in London. Highett was given to long bouts of solitary meditation in the tower where he communicated with his family through a speaking tube which remains. It is now a guesthouse.

Lake Nillahcootie
Sailing, fishing, canoeing and boating can be enjoyed on Lake Nillahcootie, 20 km north, adjacent the Midland Highway.

Goughs Bay
Goughs Bay, on Lake Eildon, is 20 km south of Mansfield, off the road to Jamieson. Nearby is the Delatite Arm Reserve. This is a good area for boating, waterskiing, fishing and camping. There are established sites with pit toilets. Fees are charged and bookings are necessary in peak periods, tel: (03) 5775 2788 or 131 963. Houseboats can be hired from High Country Houseboats, tel: (03) 5777 3899 and more conventional accommodation is available at Fernleigh Cottages on Goughs Bay Rd, tel: 03 5777 3531.

Bonnie Doon
Bonnie Doon is a small town of around 300 people at the northern end of the lake, 21 km west of Mansfield on the Maroondah Highway. Accommodation possibilities include the Bonnie Doon Caravan Park (tel: 03 5778 7254), Bonnie Doon Holiday Apartments (tel: 03 5778 7445), the Lakeland Resort Hotel (tel: 03 5778 7335), the Starglen Lodge Resort, 10 km north of town (tel: 03 5778 7312), Peppin Point Holiday Park and Houseboats (tel: 03 5778 7338), 9 km south of Bonnie Doon, and the Lakeside Leisure Resort, tel: (03) 5778 7252. The latter has a waterskiing school.

Powers Lookout
The Mansfield-Whitfield Road (61 km), to the north-east of town, offers spectacular scenery of the King River Valley. The best viewing area is Powers Lookout. The name derives from the fact that it was once a vantage point for bushranger Harry Power. A 15-year-old Ned Kelly was charged as being an accomplice of Power in 1870, but the charges were dismissed for want of evidence. Head north-east along the Mansfield-Whitfield Rd for 44 km and turn right onto the gravel road. The lookout is 4 or 5 km away.

Mt Samaria State Park
Mt Samaria State Park (7600 ha) is an attractive and forested semi-remote area which encloses a rugged plateau to the north of Mansfield. It was long used by Aborigines prior to the grazing and logging practices of the European settlers. Wildlife is abundant, as are wildflowers in spring. There are waterfalls, magnificent stands of trees, scenic views and abundant birdlife. Visitors can enjoy scenic walks and drives, picnics, camping, bushwalking and photography. Access can be gained by heading north along the Whitfield Rd for 10 km. When you get to Bridge Creek continue ahead insteading of turning right towards Whitfield. After 4 km take the turnoff on the right onto Blue Range Rd. For details ring the Department of Natural Resources on (03) 5761 1611 or Parks Victoria on 131 963.

For access to the northern end of the park see the entry on Benalla.

Delatite Winery
Delatite Winery, established in 1968, is a beautifully-situated winery in Stoney Rd (signposted off Mt Buller Rd), about 11 km south-east of Mansfield. It produces a large range of dry red and white table wines and a sparkling wine and it is open daily from 10.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. There are picnic and barbecue facilities, tel: (03) 5775 2922.

Merrijig
Merrijig, 19 km south-east of Mansfield on the Mt Buller Rd, is a small town which has a resort complex for off-mountain skiers. The area to the north of town was used in the filming of The Man From Snowy River and its sequel. A major rodeo is held here on the Labour Day weekend in March.

Accommodation is available at Willawong Bed-and-Breakfast (tel: 03 5777 5750), Carrathool Guesthouse (tel: 03 5777 5591), Merrijig Motor Inn Resort (tel: 03 5777 5702), Pinnacle Valley Resort (tel: 03 5777 5788) and Highlander Lodge (tel: 03 5777 5511). There are picnic areas beside the Delatite River at Merrijig and further east on the Mt Buller Rd at Sawmill Settlement and Mirrimbah.

Howqua Hills Historic Area
The Howqua Track heads south-east from Merrijig to the Howqua Hills Historic Area. The Howqua River was used as a major trade and war route across the Great Dividing Range for the Aborigines. They used the hard greenstone outcrops along the river for manufacturing spearheads, stone axes and cutting tools.

This land was taken up a spart of the Howqua run by the Watson and Hunter Pastoral Company in the 1830s and it is still being used for grazing purposes.

Gold was discovered in the valley in the 1860s and a major reef was located the following decade. Three large companies were established and the township of Howqua was proclaimed in 1888. There was an hotel, a post office, some boarding houses, a blacksmith's and a butcher's. Mining ceased with the closure of the Great Rand in 1905 and the village was deserted.

A number of relics remain from the goldmining days. There is a brick chimney associated with a smelting furnace. Further east is a 100-metre tunnel which was cut through Tunnel Spur to bring water from the Howqua River to a 4-km water race. The race, which conveyed the water to an 18-metre waterwheel located near the chimney, can be seen above the road which links Tunnel Spur and the chimney.

Fry's Hut and Pickering Hut were both built by local bushman Fred Fry whose life formed the basis of Nevil Shute's novel The Far Country which was later filmed in the area. They cannot be used for overnight camping. However, camping is permitted at Sheepyard Flat where shepherds yarded their sheep at night. Fry's Flat is for summer access only and Davon's Flat is a day visitor and horse camping area with horseyards. The historic area is ideal for camping, bushwalking, fishing and horseriding. Ring (03) 5733 0120 or 131 963 for further information.

Howqua
Howqua is not actually a town but rather a locality on the edge of Lake Eildon, near the junction of the lake and the Howqua River. It is a popular spot for waterskiing, boating and fishing. There is a caravan park with a general store which also hires out houseboats (tel: 03 5777 3588). Other accommodation possibilities are offered by Plough Cottage Guesthouse (tel: 03 9808 8570), Kallarroo Lakefront Homes (tel: 03 9842 5164) and Hillside Howqua Bed-and-Breakfast (tel: 03 5777 3522). There are boat-launching facilities.

Horseriding, Camel Treks, Watersports and Other Activities
The excellent alpine and lakeside scenery of the area lends itself to excellent trail riding and there are numerous outfits to cater to that possibility. They are Homestation Trail Rides (tel: 03 5777 3576), Kratlund Park (tel: 03 5775 1443), McCormacks Trail Rides (tel: 03 5775 2886), Sawpit Gully Lodge (tel: 03 5776 9562), Stoney's Bluff and Beyond (tel: 03 5775 2212), Watson's Mountain Country Rides (tel: 03 5777 3552) and, in Bonnie Doon, Starglen Lodge (tel: 03 5778 7312). Merrijig has Lovick's Mountain Safaris (tel: 03 5777 5510) and Merrijig Lodge (tel: 03 5777 5590). Howqua has Sunset Ranch, tel: (03) 5777 3730.

High Country Camel Treks, 4 km south of Mansfield on Rifle Butts Rd, can be contacted on (03) 5775 1591.

Abseiling, mountain-bike riding, trekking, white-water rafting etc can be pursued with Mountain Adventure Safaris, tel: (03) 5777 3759. The Helicopter Service Australia conducts joy flights, tel: (03) 5775 2008. Stirling Experience offer high country 4WD tours from November to May, tel: (03) 5777 3541. Trout-fishing tuition and camping trips are available with Catch Wild Trout, tel: (019) 328 585. Hot-Air Ballooning is available from Ballooning Global, tel: (1800) 627 661.

Peregrine offer rafting expeditions along the King River which depart both from Mansfield and Melbourne, tel: (03) 9662 2800 or the Peregrine Travel office in your state capital.

	Tourist Information
	Mansfield Visitors Information Centre Railway Station High St Mansfield VIC 3722 Telephone: (03) 5775 1464
	Motels
	Mansfield Motel 3 Highett St Mansfield VIC 3722 Telephone: (03) 5775 2377 Rating: ***
	Mansfield Valley Motor Inn Maroondah Hwy Mansfield VIC 3722 Telephone: (03) 5775 1300 Rating: ****
	Hotels
	Aspen Tavern High St Mansfield VIC 3722 Telephone: (03) 5775 1144
	Commercial Hotel High St Mansfield VIC 3722 Telephone: (03) 5775 2046 Rating: *
	Delatite Hotel High St Mansfield VIC 3722 Telephone: (03) 5775 2004 Rating: *
	Mansfield Hotel High St Mansfield VIC 3722 Telephone: (03) 5775 2101 Rating: *
	Resorts
	Alzburg Inn 39 Malcolm St Mansfield VIC 3722 Telephone: (03) 5775 2367 Facsimile: (03) 5775 2719 Rating: ***
	Mansfield Country Resort Cottages Banumum Rd P.O. Box 230 Mansfield VIC 3722 Telephone: (03) 5775 2679 Rating: ***
	Bed & Breakfast/Guesthouses
	Duck Inn Jamieson Bed & Breakfast P.O. Box 664 Mansfield VIC 3722 Telephone: (03) 5777 0554 Rating: **
	Howqua Dale Gourmet Retreat Guesthouse P.O. Box 379 Mansfield VIC 3722 Telephone: (03) 5777 3503 Rating: ****
	Marys Place Bed & Breakfast 32 Somerset Cres. Mansfield VIC 3722 Telephone: (03) 5775 1928 Rating: ***
	Merrilea Guesthouse 22 Kidston Pde Mansfield VIC 3722 Telephone: (03) 5775 1148 Rating: ***
	Ruby Lane Trail Rides Guesthouse Sawpit Gully Rd P.O. Box 421 Mansfield VIC 3722 Telephone: (03) 5776 9562 Rating: **
	Highton Manor Bed & Breakfast 140 Highton Lane Mansfield VIC 3722 Telephone: (03) 5775 2700 Facsimile: (03) 5779 1305 Rating: ***
	Apartments
	Banjos Accommodation Holiday Apartments Cnr Mt Buller Rd & Greenvale Lane Mansfield VIC 3722 Telephone: (03) 5775 2335 Rating: ***
	Greenvale Holiday Apartments 30 Greenvale Lane Mansfield VIC 3722 Telephone: (03) 5775 2842 Rating: ***
	Cottages & Cabins
	Nillahcootie Estate Midland Hwy Lima South Mansfield VIC 3637 Telephone: (02) 5768 2685, 0409 164 205 Facsimile: (02) 5768 2678 Email: info@nillahcootieestate.com.au Web site: http://www.nillahcootieestate.com.au Rating: ****
	Alpine Country Cottage 5 The Parade P.O. Box 644 Mansfield VIC 3722 Telephone: (03) 5775 1694 Rating: ***
	Delatite Pastoral Partnership Cottage Delatite Lane Mansfield VIC 3722 Telephone: (03) 5777 3518 Rating: **
	Lara Cottage RMB 4110 Boorolite-Chapel Hill Rd Mansfield VIC 3722 Telephone: (03) 5777 5536 Rating: ***
	Wombat Hills Cottage 55 Lochiel Rd 3722 Mansfield VIC 3722 Telephone: (03) 5776 9507 Facsimile: (03) 5776 9507 Rating: ***
	Farm & Eco Holidays
	Mansfield Farm Accommodation McLeod Lane P.O. Box 41 Mansfield VIC 3722 Telephone: (03) 5775 2084
	Stumphill Bunkhouse Mansfield-Benalla Rd Mansfield VIC 3722 Telephone: (03) 5775 2616
	Caravan Parks
	Howqua Valley Caravan Park P.O. Box 361 Mansfield VIC 3722 Telephone: (03) 5777 3588 Rating: **
	James Holiday Park 1 Ultimo St Mansfield VIC 3722 Telephone: (03) 5775 2705 Rating: ***
	Mansfield Lakeside Ski Village Howes Creek Rd P.O. Box 266 Mansfield VIC 3722 Telephone: (03) 5775 2735 Rating: ***
	Backpackers
	Mansfield Backpackers Inn 112 High St Mansfield VIC 3722 Telephone: (03) 5775 1800
	Restaurants
	Aspen Tavern High St Mansfield VIC 3722 Telephone: (03) 5775 1144
	Bon Appetit Restaurant High St Mansfield VIC 3722 Telephone: (03) 5775 2951
	Buckley's Chance Pancake Parlour High St Mansfield VIC 3722 Telephone: (03) 5775 1277
	Come And Get Stuffed Restaurant High St Mansfield VIC 3722 Telephone: (03) 5775 1955
	Commercial Hotel High St Mansfield VIC 3722 Telephone: (03) 5775 2046
	Delatite Hotel High St Mansfield VIC 3722 Telephone: (03) 5775 2004
	Duck Inn Jamieson Bed & Breakfast P.O. Box 664 Mansfield VIC 3722 Telephone: (03) 5777 0554
	Highton Manor Bed & Breakfast Highton Lane P.O. Box 338 Mansfield VIC 3722 Telephone: (03) 5775 2700
	Mansfield Hotel High St Mansfield VIC 3722 Telephone: (03) 5775 2101
	Mansfield Valley Motor Inn Maroondah Hwy Mansfield VIC 3722 Telephone: (03) 5775 1300
	Mingo's Bar & Grill High St Mansfield VIC 3722 Telephone: (03) 5775 1766
	O'Malley's Original Italian Pizza High St Mansfield VIC 3722 Telephone: (03) 5775 2296
	Ying Ging Restaurant High St Mansfield VIC 3722 Telephone: (03) 5775 2738