The Benalla Electorate

The Benalla Electorate covers an area of about 17,120 square miles and includes the major centres of Benalla, Bright, Mt Beauty, Myrtleford, Mansfield, Glenrowan, Nagambie, Murchison, Euroa and Violet Town.

The electorate’s prosperity is derived primarily from agriculture, including beef cattle, sheep, horticulture, wine production and crops such as hops, wheat and canola.

Many visitors are attracted to the region’s natural beauty. Lake Eildon, Lake Nagambie, the Victorian Alps and the ski resorts of Falls Creek, Mt Buffalo, Mt Buller, Lake Mountain, Mt Stirling and Mt Hotham and Dinner Plain make the region one of the most beautiful in Victoria.

The region is also famed for its gourmet produce including fine wines, berries, beer and cheese.

Benalla

Two hours from Melbourne, the city of Benalla is the largest centre in the electorate with a population of about 10,000.

The town’s main industries include agricultural support services, manufacturing and aviation. Tourism is also a key part of Benalla’s economy, due to the town’s proximity to Victoria’s snowfields, wine regions and lakes. Hot air ballooning and flying are also popular pastimes in Benalla, which is home to the Gliding Club of Victoria.

Benalla has been the birthplace of many notable Australians, including war heroes Hec Waller and Edward ‘Weary’ Dunlop, Olympic cyclist Baden Cooke and Mark Seymour, the lead singer of Hunters and Collectors. It was also home to actor Tom Long.

Bright

Few would have grounds to argue if Bright was declared the prettiest town in Victoria. Located on the Great Alpine Road at the head of the Ovens River Valley, the town has a permanent population of about 2700 is a popular destination with tourists year round.

During autumn the town becomes a canvas of colour as the leaves turn on the grand avenues of deciduous trees. The town’s famous Autumn Festival, with the Wandiligong Nut Festival and the Autumn Art Exhibition, is not to be missed. With the first falls of snow, winter sports enthusiasts flock use the town as a base while tackling the snowfields of Mt Buffalo and Mt Hotham. Spring brings those keen to enjoy the fresh alpine air, hiking trails and the roaring rivers which swell with melted snow and early rain. As the weather warms up, summer sees the high country bloom with wildflowers and cyclists hit the Murray to Mountains rail trail to explore the gourmet produce and majestic scenery on offer.

Mt Beauty

With beautiful walking tracks and stunning views to Mt Bogong, Mt Beauty lives up to its name. A popular holiday spot for those hitting the slopes at Falls Creek, the town was originally established by the State Electricity Commission to house construction workers from the Kiewa Hydroelectric Scheme in 1949.

The town is now the number one destination for alpine cyclists in Australia and with the recent sealing of the Bogong High Plains Road, cyclists can ride the spectacular 230km Alpine Loop from Falls Creek circumnavigating through Omeo, Mt Hotham, then back to Falls Creek via Mt Beauty from November to May.

Myrtleford

Positioned on the Great Alpine Road in the foothills of the Mt Buffalo Range, Myrtleford is home to about 3500 people.

An old log kiln at the town’s entrance pays homage to its history as a tobacco town—an industry which contributed $28 million at the farm gate before growers terminated production in 2006. These days, Myrtleford’s economy relies on the tourist trade and agricultural pursuits such as wine production, hops, walnuts, chestnuts and cherries. Wood manufacturer Carter Holt Harvey is the town's largest single employer.

Myrtleford features breathtaking views of the mountains and is best explored on foot or by bicycle.

Nagambie

A popular spot for rowing, sailing, water skiing and fishing, Nagambie is a burgeoning tourism destination. The town, which has a population of about 1900, is built on the shores of the beautiful Lake Nagambie.

During the summer months, Nagambie plays host to the state and national rowing titles and draws visitors keen to try their hand at skydiving and hot air ballooning. The town also has a reputation for fine wine, with award-winning wineries Chateau Tahbilk and Mitchelton Wines just a short drive from town.

Euroa

Euroa is located halfway between Seymour and Benalla at the foot of the Strathbogie Ranges. The land around Euroa is famed for its production of fine wool and thoroughbred horse industry.

The township itself has a population of about 2700 and is built on the banks of Sevens Creek. Euroa features a number of historical buildings and is a great base for exploring the charming creeks, waterfalls and panoramic views from the hills surrounding the town.

Murchison

Murchison is a tranquil, welcoming town located on the banks of the Goulburn River. Established during the gold rush in 1854, the town is now home to about 780 people.

Murchison has a rich history of pastoralists, traders and vignerons but is perhaps most famous for the 1969 Murchison meteorite. Residents observed a bright fireball over the town which appeared to separate into three fragments before disappearing and leaving a cloud of smoke. Pieces of the meteor were later found over a 13 kilometre radius. A specimen of the Murchison meteorite is now kept at the National Museum of Natural History in Washington.

Violet Town

Violet Town is known as the town of flowers. Nestled between Euroa and Benalla, the town has a strong agricultural history based on wool and cropping.

It is also the hometown of one of Australia’s best-known rock groups Killing Heidi.

On the second Saturday of each month, the town hosts a popular community market selling local produce, plants and crafts.

Glenrowan

130 years ago, Glenrowan made headlines around the world when bushranger Ned Kelly was captured by the police after a siege and shootout at the local hotel.

These days the town showcases a detailed history of the Kelly gang and is a popular spot to rest on the journey between Melbourne and Albury.

Mansfield

Located enroute to the skifields of Mt Buller and Mt Stirling, Mansfield is renowned for picturesque views.

The town was first established in the 1840s as a stock route camp and later became a gold mining town. The town has a wide range of accommodation and a vibrant commercial centre catering for the many tourists.

The town is within easy striking distance of Melbourne and is a haven for enthusiasts of snow sports, bushwalking and trail bike riding.