After the Fitzpatrick incident (refer to “The Kelly
Outbreak”), Ned and Dan fled into the bush and hid in an old hut
that they had previously used. Joe Byrne and Steve Hart later
joined them
The police received notification that the two Kelly boy's were
hiding out somewhere in the Wombat Ranges. So in order to flush
them out, they organised two armed parties of four men, one from
Greta and the other from Mansfield, who would converge on the area
from different directions.
On the 25th October 1878, the party from Mansfield which consisted
of Sergeant Kennedy and Constables Scanlon, Lonigan and McIntyre,
camped on the banks of Stringybark Creek, unknowingly to them, less
than a mile from the Kelly hideout. Late that afternoon, McIntyre
fired at a kangaroo which ventured near the camp. The shot rang
through the hills to the Kelly camp which prompted Ned to send Dan
to investigate. On his return, Dan reported that there were four
troopers wearing civilian clothes, and they were heavily
armed.
The
location
This is the actual location where the Kelly’s hid for about 6
months. Ned was very familiar with this hut as he had been taken
here by Harry Power when Ned was about 14 years of age and was
“apprenticed” to the notorious bushranger. The hut at this location
was used by Harry as it was a very safe haven – well hidden and
even fortified.
While the Kelly’s hid here, food and other supplies were provided
by sympathisers as well as Kate Kelly. A lot of evidence has been
found in this site by Bill Denheld, including “The Kelly Target
Tree” which bore bullet marks as it was used as a firing practice
tree.
The
cache
At the posted co-ordinates you will find a container that will
provide you with the clues to the next stage of the hunt for the
evidence.
To get to this location go to S36° 51.863 E146° 11.873 - this is
the start of a minor track which you may be able to 4wd to, but we
walked!