Australia's Wild West: Notorious bushrangers who terrorised the Outback

Ned Kelly is one of the most famous and controversial figures in Australian history, known for his notorious exploits as a bushranger and leader of the Kelly Gang.

Born in Victoria in 1855, Kelly grew up in a family of Irish immigrants and experienced poverty and discrimination from a young age.

He was forced to leave school at an early age and was later arrested for petty crimes, which only fueled his resentment towards the authorities.

In 1878, Kelly and his gang were accused of robbing a bank in the town of Euroa, and a few months later they held up a train at Glenrowan.

These crimes were seen as acts of rebellion against the wealthy and powerful establishment, and Kelly became a symbol of resistance for many poor and disenfranchised Australians.

The Kelly Gang's violent and daring exploits made them infamous across the country, and they were pursued relentlessly by the police.

In 1880, a shootout took place at Glenrowan between the gang and the authorities, which ended with Kelly being captured and sentenced to death by hanging.

Despite his crimes, Kelly is still a controversial figure in Australia, with many people viewing him as a folk hero who stood up against oppression and injustice.

Martin Cash was known as the "gentleman bushranger" for his relatively nonviolent approach to crime.

Born in Ireland in 1808, Cash was transported to Australia in 1827 for stealing a pair of shoes.

He was later sentenced to 7 years of hard labor for stealing a handkerchief, and after serving his time, he decided to turn to a life of crime.

Cash began his career as a bushranger in Tasmania in the 1840s, where he formed a gang with two other convicts.

The gang's crimes included robbery and horse theft, but they were also known for their politeness and gentlemanly behavior towards their victims.

Cash was reportedly charming and charismatic, and he often gave gifts to the people he robbed.

Despite his relatively nonviolent approach, Cash was still considered a dangerous criminal by the authorities, and he was eventually captured and sentenced to life in prison.

He was sent to the notorious Port Arthur prison in Tasmania, where he attempted to escape several times.

He was eventually transferred to another prison in New South Wales, where he was eventually granted a conditional pardon and released in 1870.

Frederick Ward, better known as "Captain Thunderbolt", operated in the New South Wales region during the mid-1800s.

Born in England in 1835, Ward was transported to Australia in 1856 after being convicted of stealing.

He initially worked as a stockman before turning to a life of crime as a bushranger.

Ward was known for his daring robberies and skillful horsemanship, and he quickly gained a reputation as one of the most notorious bushrangers in the region.

He was also known for his ability to elude the authorities, often disappearing into the bush for months at a time.

Despite his criminal activities, Ward was well-liked by the locals, who saw him as a Robin Hood-like figure who robbed from the rich and gave to the poor.

He was known for his generosity towards his victims, often returning stolen property or paying for their losses out of his own pocket.

Ward's reign as a bushranger came to an end in 1870 when he was shot and killed by a police constable.

His death was widely mourned by the public, and he was remembered as a legendary figure in Australian folklore.

Ben Hall and Frank Gardiner, along with a group of other bushrangers, were known as the Lachlan bushrangers.

They committed a series of daring robberies and became infamous for their exploits.

Frank Gardiner was originally a stockman who turned to a life of crime. Ben Hall, on the other hand, was a former drover who became a bushranger after a string of personal and financial setbacks.

Together, Hall and Gardiner led the Lachlan bushrangers in a series of daring heists, including the infamous robbery of the gold escort at Eugowra Rocks in 1862.

They were also known for their ability to elude the authorities and evade capture, often disappearing into the bush for months at a time.

However, their reign as bushrangers came to an end in 1865 when Ben Hall was shot and killed by police in a shootout.

Frank Gardiner was later arrested and sentenced to 32 years in prison, effectively ending the era of the Lachlan bushrangers.