Benalla is a small agricultural town of about 12000 people on the Hume Freeway in Victoria about 40 km south of Wangaratta. The site was originally taken up by the Reverend Joseph Docker in 1838 and called Benalta Run, from the aboriginal word for musk duck. A town was laid out on the site in 1846. It is famous for its roses. The Broken Creek can cause extensive flooding. There is a Community Park and walking track along the river at Benalla, featuring a very interesting ceramic Community Sculpture that was created as part of a Community Employment Project for local artists some years ago. Industries include a medium density fibre board factory. Gliding and hot air ballooning are undertaken near Benalla.
