Glider City Motel

Explore the Region


Benalla Art Gallery

Benalla is home to one of the finest regional art galleries in Victoria.
The gallery was built in 1972 and is beautifully positioned within the mature grounds of the Botanical Gardens that sit adjacent to Lake Benalla.

The Benalla Art Gallery boasts a variety of art from some of Australia's contemporary and historic artists and is a venue for national and international touring exhibitions.

Check out what's on at : http://www.benallaartgallery.com/

The Benalla Gallery Café is housed within the Benalla Art Gallery so you are able to enjoy great food and a drink, as well as enjoying great art, all while overlooking the picturesque Lake Benalla.

Benalla Street Art

Adnate, Goorambat Church Adnate, Goorambat Church

 The Benalla Street Art committee, a local volunteer group, have raised significant amounts of money from the local business community, crowd funding and grants to stage the annual Wall to Wall festival, a street art event where international and national street artists converge on Benalla in March to create world class murals on buildings through the town.

The work is of a very high calibre with one work by Adnate voted number 8 out of 100 in the global Wide Walls awards.

A map is available from Glider City Motel reception with further information available at www.benallastreetart.com.au

New Things to Do

Winton Wetlands - We have some great wetlands 10mins drive away, or 17km on your pushbike. There is a winding bike trail around the Winton Wetlands which is currently being extended. So, to all the cyclists out there looking for a different experience, here's one for you. There are several shelters along the way, which include information boards.

Benalla Street Art mural arist Guido van Helten has created a mural (shown left) on the CFA water tank at the wetlands as part of the 2016 Wall to Wall festival.

As at 16/2/15 there have been 180 different species of birds identified out there. Also for anyone wanting to see loads of our bounding kangaroo friends, well ... this is the place to go for that as well. The Walupka Woka Ride is coming up on 23 May 2015 as a kind of opening introduction to the area. See the link attached here http://wintonwetlands.org.au. There is now a new Cafe opened, The Hub, Open Wed - Fri from 10am till 4pm. And Sat and Sundays 8am till 4pm.

Wine and Cheese Tours

Just starting up - and in partnership with North East Vineyard tours. We can put together a package for you, starting from just 4 people, up to a 12 seater air conditioned mini-bus. The tour usually takes in four local wineries for complimentary tastings and includes a cheese tasting plate at the last stop. Lunch is not normally included as winery wanderers usually like to have a more substantial evening meal. However upon request lunch can be added. Feel free to give us a call to discuss and we'll see what you would like to do. We can arrange it all for you, Accommodation, wine and cheese tour and an evening meal at one of several quality restaurants in town. A good idea for the Winton WAGS while the boys are out racing for the day, or for a few friends wanting to spend a relaxing day wine tasting and not having to worry about who will be their designated driver.

Costume and Pioneer Museum

If you are fascinated by Australia's history, then a visit to the Costume and Pioneer Museum is a must.  The museum, as the name implies, specialises in costumes which date from 1770 onwards and are displayed in three large galleries and several smaller rooms.  The exhibitions are changed regularly so with every visit you can view a new collection or theme.

Two permanent exhibitions reside here, with the famous Kelly Story highlighting the Kelly Gang's exploits in this area.  The portable cell houses some fine memorabilia including Ned's sash and bridle, and some fine maps and information.

Benalla's Visitor Information Centre is located in the Museum which is situated in Mair Street and open from 9am to 5pm daily.  For more information telephone: 03 5762-1749

Benalla Gliding Club

Benalla is renowned for its gliding conditions, with both thermals and waves.  The Benalla Gliding Club and The Gliding Club of Victoria attract gliding enthusiasts from all around the world.

The Benalla Gliding Club has an excellent website crammed with information and tools and is well worth a visit.  Hot air ballooning competitions are also held regularly at the Gliding Club.

Benalla Performing Arts and Convention Centre

Benalla Performing Arts and Convention Centre opened in 2004 and is the centre piece of performing arts, cinema and convention facilities in North East Victoria.  BPACC is also the "Main Stage" for GRADA (GOTAFE Regional Academy of Dramatic Art).  GOTAFE is the Goulburn Ovens TAFE.

BPACC boasts a state of the art auditorium with a capacity of 344, three professional meeting rooms (with access to a further three rooms within the TAFE complex) and a large foyer area for the comfort of patrons.  These superlative facilities make BPACC the ultimate choice in hosting business conferences, theatre, conventions, meetings or community events.  State of the art equipment and facilities at BPACC complement every event with high quality, professional and first class service.

Click here http://www.bpacc.com.au/ to view a list of theatre performances and film sessions at BPACC Cinema

Winton Motor Raceway

Winton Motor Raceway is situated a short drive 8km from The Glider City Motel in an area of undulating hills and farmland.  We are the first choice for many motor sport enthusiasts wishing to enjoy the exhilaration of Winton's motor sport.

Winton is operated by the Benalla Auto Club who were formed in 1957.  Three years later motor racing began at Winton and has remained a national institution for Australian motorsport.

http://www.wintonraceway.com.au

Benalla Racecourse

The Glider City Motel is located 3.5km from Benalla Racecourse.

Since 1980 Benalla Racing Club has been an asset to the community, hosting quality race meetings and fine entertainment.  Benalla Racing Club hosts 11 race meetings each season.  Back in 1984 The Benalla Toyota Benalla Gold Cup was the lead up race for Black Knight in preparation for his Melbourne Cup triumph.  In modern times Makybe Diva made her race debut at Benalla and three-time Group 1 winner Yosei broke his maiden status on the turf at Benalla.

The Club provides a family-friendly racing experiencew through access to high-quality facilities and on race days the Club has a host of entertainment options for an enjoyable race day with friends, family, colleagues and clients.

http://www.countryracing.com.au/benalla-racing-club

Ned Kelly

Ned Kelly was hanged a murderer in Melbourne on the 11th of November 1880. He was 25 years old. He was a man with a strong sense of family, misunderstood by many, a larikin and underdog, bushranger and rebel, making his way in a country borne out of brutal, harsh convict settlement. What is astonishing is that when Ned was sentenced to hang, 30,000 people signed a petition asking for a reprieve. Sadly for Ned, he never was. For more information on Ned Kelly and Benalla visit The Ned Kelly Trail at http://www.thenedkellytrail.com.au/

Green 'n' Grow Garden Centre

Open daily 9am til 5.30pm 139 Grant Drive, Benalla.  Phone: 03 5762-2296

A fantastic plant nursery set up.  You won't believe you are actually in Benalla.

Established over 30 years ago, Green 'n' Grow is now regarded as one of North East Victoria's premier garden centres.  Busloads of people visit especially, from all around the state.

They offer plants, seeds, bulbs, ornaments and statues, trees and shrubs, peacerful water features, gift ideas, soils, sands and gravels, garden tools, fertilisers, peat moss and mulches.  It is a popular and beautiful backdrop for weddings, with extensive grounds, immaculate lawns, mature trees and shrubs coupled with lakes and water features.

The Shady Elm Coffee Shop is located within the nursery and is a lovely spot to relax and eat, surrounded by greenery and birdlife.

They serve delicious light lunches, teas, coffees and refreshments. http://www.greenngrow.com

Wine and High Country

 Enjoy the taste of Victoria's wineries, home to no less than six wine growing regions.  The families of Morris, Buller, Campbell and Chambers put this area on the map for their famous Muscats and Tokays.

Local wine tours take in some of the areas finest wineries, such as Baileys, Brown Brothers, Booths, Morrisons of Glenrowan and Auldstone Cellars.  Long or short tours available, or even custom tours to suit your own intinerary, can be found by visiting the Tourist Information Centre in Mair Street.