WITH the demise of the Kelly Gang in Victoria in 1880, and the end of the Governor brothers in New South Wales in 1900, our bushranger history could have been at an end. However, it was not until 1902 in Queensland, with the capture of the Kenniff brothers, that things really started to settle down.
Today’s explorers can follow in the tracks of these last bushrangers to sites covering vast distances of Queensland. The story, however, has its beginnings in a remote and scenic corner of NSW.
NSW - EARLY CRIMES, 1880S
PATRICK Kenniff was born at Main Creek near Dungog, NSW in 1863, while his brother James was born in 1870 near Casino. As a teenager Patrick was in trouble with the law for rounding up stray cattle. As the brothers grew older, their crimes increased and gaol times were frequent.
Their father, James Kenniff, decided it was time to escape the suspicions that the family had attracted in the Northern Rivers area and to clear out to Central Queensland.
Main Creek today is the gateway to the scenic attractions of the East Chichester Forests and the lower section of Barrington Tops National Park.
Free riverside camping areas are located at Frying
