Benalla, Victoria -Street Art, Gardens & Heritage

Benalla, Victoria -Street Art, Gardens & Heritage

Benalla is a charming regional city set on the banks of the Broken River, in Victoria’s High Country region, 212 kilometres north-east of Melbourne. Known for its vibrant street art, beautiful gardens, and well-preserved heritage buildings, Benalla offers a wonderful mix of culture, history, and relaxed country charm.

At the heart of the city is Lake Benalla, a picturesque artificial lake created in the 1970s by damming the Broken River. The lake now forms a scenic focal point for walking, picnicking, art, and outdoor activities.

During our visit, we explored the town centre, admired the colourful street art, wandered through the Botanical Gardens and Art Gallery, walked the Lake Benalla circuit, discovered historic buildings, and set off on the nearby silo art trail.

Benalla’s Incredible Street Art

Benalla is widely recognised as one of Australia’s leading street art destinations. The town is home to more than 50 large-scale murals, created by talented street artists from around the world.

Many of the murals were painted during the annual Benalla Street Art Festival, transforming walls, laneways, and buildings into open-air galleries. You can pick up a street art brochure from the Visitor Information Centre, which includes a handy map along with information about the artists and their works.

Near Lake Benalla, don’t miss the Benalla Ceramic Mural — a striking 3D terracotta sculpture created by more than 1,500 artists and volunteers.

The Benalla Costume and Kelly Museum, located inside the Visitor Information Centre, is also worth a visit and adds another layer to the town’s cultural offering.

Crossing the Monash Bridge

From the lake, we crossed the historic Monash Bridge on our way to the Botanical Gardens. Officially opened in 1910, the bridge was, at the time, the largest of its kind in Australia and remains an impressive piece of engineering.

Benalla Botanical Gardens

The heritage-listed Benalla Botanical Gardens cover approximately 8 hectares and feature a large central cricket oval. Designed by Alfred Sangwell in 1886, the gardens are unique in the way they combine an ornamental garden with a recreation space.

These beautifully maintained 19th-century gardens include the Benalla Rose Gardens, mature and rare trees, sweeping lawns, ornamental plantings, the ‘Weary’ Dunlop Memorial, and the much-loved rocket playground.

Benalla Art Gallery

Set on the banks of Lake Benalla within the Botanical Gardens is the Benalla Art Gallery, one of Australia’s premier regional art galleries. The gallery is open six days a week from 10.00 am to 4.30 pm and is closed on Tuesdays. The collection showcases an impressive range of Australian and local artworks, and the lakeside setting makes it a lovely place to pause and take in the creative atmosphere.

Walking Around Lake Benalla

The Lake Benalla walking track is a scenic 4.25-kilometre loop that circles the lake. Along the way, there’s plenty to see, including the Analemmatic Sundial, Aboriginal Garden with unique plantings and sculptures, and numerous peaceful spots to sit and enjoy the views.

There are also several sheltered picnic areas and seating spots around the lake, making it an ideal place to relax.

Benalla’s Heritage Buildings & Ned Kelly History

Benalla was proclaimed a town in 1849 and prospered during the Ovens gold rush. Today, following the Heritage Trail reveals a fascinating collection of Victorian-era buildings and connections to Ned Kelly.

Notable heritage buildings include:

• Old Courthouse (1864) on Arundel Street, where Ned Kelly was tried twice for minor offences

• Holy Trinity Anglican Church (1860), located next to the courthouse

• Old Bootmaker’s Shop, built before 1877 and part of the Ned Kelly Trail

• St Joseph’s Catholic Church (1908), designed in the Gothic Revival style

• FCJ School (1902), originally a convent school for girls

• Benalla Town Hall (1883), built as the Municipal Chambers and Hall

• National Bank Building (1891), a two-storey Italianate-style structure

• Commercial Hotel (1860), built to service gold prospectors heading to the Ovens goldfields

Silo Art Trail

We also took a drive to explore the Benalla Silo Art Trail, which showcases impressive artworks across several nearby towns.

• Goorambat (19 km from Benalla) features stunning silo murals by artist Jimmy Dvate, including a Barking Owl and three powerful Clydesdales

• Devenish (13 km from Goorambat) displays striking artworks by Cam Scale, paying tribute to local men and women who served in the military

• St James (8 km from Devenish) features a mural of Sir George Coles, founder of Coles supermarkets, painted by Tim Bowtell

• Tungamah (15 km from St James) is home to bird-themed silo art by Sobrane Simcock, the first silo painted in north-east Victoria and the work of Australia’s first female silo artist

  
  

Why Benalla Is Worth a Visit

With its vibrant street art, peaceful lakeside walks, historic gardens, fascinating heritage buildings, and easy access to silo art, Benalla offers a rich and varied visitor experience. Whether you’re an art lover, history buff, or simply looking for a relaxed regional escape, Benalla is a destination that surprises and delights at every turn.

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