Whitfield

Overview

Whitfield is 50 kilometres south of Wangaratta at the head of the King Valley. The Valley is renowned as a unique grape growing region for its European varietals and is home to over 20 boutique wineries.

The heart and soul of the Valley is its vibrant characters, many of whom were Italian migrants in the 40's and 50's and grew tobacco before realising the potential of the area to grow grapes.

The township is nestled amongst hills and has a particular country charm with its one pub, police station and general store servicing the community.

The area is popular with tourists for its natural beauty and range of outdoor activities.

History

Just above Whitfield lies Power's Lookout famed as the perfect vantage point where bushranger, Harry Power, kept a close eye on any advancing police. In 1869 Power formed an association with a 13 year old Ned Kelly; an association which resulted in Kelly being arrested and held in custody for seven weeks as a suspected accomplice. The charge was later dismissed but the course of history was set and Kelly was to take over the mantle of Australia's most infamous bushranger in his later years. Power was captured in 1870 and sentenced to 15 years at Pentridge prison.

During his days as a wanted man, Ned Kelly allegedly rode his horse down the hallway of Whitfield's Mountain View Hotel where you can quench your thirst today.

Another of Australia's most infamous bushrangers, Dan 'Mad Dog' Morgan, also has ties to the area. In 1860 Morgan stole a horse from the Evans station at Whitfield. Pursued by Mr Evan Evans and a Mr Bond he was fired upon and hit with buckshot. He returned to the station for revenge five years later and set fire to some haystacks. When the people from the property appeared, Morgan held them up.

Places of interest

Any one of the cellar doors dotted throughout the Valley itself
Tobacco sheds
Lake William Hovell
Paradise Falls
Powers Lookout
Lake Cobbler

Accommodation

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