Site 11 - Site of the Traveller’s Rest Stables

At approximately 2.45 pm on Monday, 10 February, 1879, Ned Kelly, in company with the Proprietor of the Traveller’s Rest Hotel, Mr McDougall, Police Constable Richards, and the Teller at the Bank of New South Wales, Mr Living, arrived at the stables to inspect a racing mare “Minnie”. Ned was aware of the mare’s presence through information received earlier from a sympathizer.

Ned asked Mr McDougall what he valued the mare at, and on being told £50, Ned replied “if I take the mare away with me I will give you that amount for her”. 

 At approximately 3.30 pm Steve Hart, acting on instructions given by Ned Kelly, arrived at the stables, having walked over from the Royal Mail Hotel carrying the hunting saddle belonging to Mr Living. He saddled up the racing mare “Minnie’, which was actually the property of Miss Mary McDougall, the daughter of the hotel proprietor, and rode it to the Police Barracks to meet up with the rest of the Kelly gang.

Miss McDougall’s mare was later let loose in the Police Horse Paddock for her to collect after a plea made by Rev. Gribble to Ned Kelly on Miss McDougall’s behalf. Mr Living’s saddle was also returned to him after a personal plea to Ned Kelly, also at the Police Barracks.