The Ned Kelly Discovery Hub welcomed close to 200 visitors over the weekend, marking the 145th anniversary of the Kelly gang's last stand in the deadly Glenrowan siege on 28 June, 1880.

Occupying the Glenrowan Inn, with several hostages, the Kelly gang fired on police making a frontal attack under moonlight.

Police had arrived on a train which the gang had failed to derail by removing railway tracks.

Gang member Joe Byrne was killed in the gunfire and Ned was captured when he left the inn, donned in his armour, and engaged with police and was wounded.

Hostages were released by remaining gang members Dan Kelly and Steve Hart, who continued their last stand, with police setting fire to the Inn at 3pm.

The bodies of Kelly and Hart were found in the destroyed Inn.

Hostages Johnny Jones and Martin Sherry were also killed in the siege.

Ned was hanged at the Melbourne Gaol on 11 November, 1880.

A significant number of visitors took advantage of the joint entry pass, a collaborative initiative with Kate’s Cottage & Museum and Kellyland.

Kate’s Cottage & Museum reported an increase in attendance compared to previous years, highlighting the growing interest in the area’s rich heritage.

Nagambie couple, Greg and Sandra McGowan made the trip to Glenrowan on Saturday to see the sites and reflect on history after hearing about it on the ABC radio.

Greg said he has a vested interest in the story as his ancestors were also convicts from Ireland in 1843, just a few years before the Kellys.

“Because of that I have a connection with that Irish heritage, I suppose I’m a champion for the downtrodden and the underdog,” he said.

“It was great to see the sights and we found many previously unknown details about the Kellys interesting.”

Greg and Sandra visited the Ned Kelly Discovery Hub and appreciated the different perspectives offered on the Kelly story.

Greg highlighted the importance of preserving Australian history, particularly the Ned Kelly legacy, given its impact on Australian culture.

“Ned Kelly and the whole story was a big important part of the development of Australia, our heritage and culture, and the way Australians are today,” he said.

“It’s important to keep that history alive because once it's gone, it's gone.”

Peter and Kaye Baxter, from Melbourne also visited Glenrowan over the weekend, stopping in at the Ned Kelly Discovery Hub.

Peter praised the Hub's impressive structure and its accurate depiction of the siege.

“I've read a few different books and stories of the Kelly Gang, so it was interesting to see in reality where some of these events took place,” he said.

“It was also an amazing coincidence to be there on the 145th anniversary.”

He and his wife viewed the siege sites from the hub, and he appreciated the government's investment in preserving local history.

“It’s great to see the government and local council have invested in preserving some of that history, now and for generations to come we will be able to identify the key points and locations of the local history,” Peter said.

Planning for the 150th anniversary of the Kelly gang's last stand is yet to formally begin, though initial conversations have taken place with community members about how the milestone could be commemorated.