The Most Famous Bush Ranger, Ranked

Voting rules: Choose the bush ranger you think is the most famous!

Updated on May 6, 2024 07:04

Debates about which bush ranger holds the most notoriety often capture the interest of enthusiasts and historians alike. By ranking these iconic figures, we not only revisit their storied pasts but also measure the impact they've had on cultural and historical narratives. Such evaluations offer insights and foster a deeper appreciation of the outlaw lore associated with Australia’s colonial periods. This site provides a dynamic list where individual preferences shape the ongoing discussion about these legendary outlaws. Each vote casts a new light on familiar legends, potentially reshaping how these figures are viewed in the public eye. We invite you to contribute your view and see how your choices compare with others in the community.

Who Is the Most Famous Bush Ranger?

1

66
votes
Australian News and Information Bureau, Canberra · Public domain

Ned Kelly

Ned Kelly is the most famous bush ranger in Australian history, known for his bold robberies and clashes with the law. He has become a symbol of rebellion and defiance against authority.
Ned Kelly in other rankings
- Position 3 of 10 in Most famous person in Victoria
- Position 3 of 10 in Most famous highwayman
2

8
votes

Freeman brothers studio · Public domain

Ben Hall

Ben Hall - another notorious bush ranger who operated in New South Wales during the mid-19th century. He was known for his daring robberies and his ability to evade the police.
3

31
votes

Peterdownunder · CC BY-SA 3.0

Dan Kelly

Dan Kelly - the younger brother of Ned Kelly, who was also involved in his gang's activities. He was killed in the infamous shootout at Glenrowan.
4

16
votes

Unknown authorUnknown author · Public domain

Captain Thunderbolt

Captain Thunderbolt - the bush ranger name used by Frederick Ward, who operated in New South Wales during the 1860s and 1870s. He was known for his ability to evade the police and his daring robberies.
5

12
votes

Freeman brothers studio · Public domain

Frank Gardiner

Frank Gardiner is a bush ranger who operated in New South Wales during the 1860s. He was involved in the infamous robbery of the gold escort at Eugowra.
6

6
votes

MGM studio · Public domain

John Gilbert

John Gilbert is a member of Ben Hall's gang who was known for his skill with a horse and his daring robberies. He was killed in a shootout with the police in 1865.
7

17
votes

Charles Nettleton, Photographer, Melbourne · Public domain

Harry Power

Harry Power is a bush ranger who operated in Victoria during the mid-19th century. He was known for his ability to evade the police and his daring robberies. He was also an early mentor to Ned Kelly.
8

3
votes

Európa Pont · CC BY 2.0

John Dunn

John Dunn is a member of the Kelly gang who was involved in the robbery of the bank at Euroa. He was killed in the shootout at Glenrowan.
9

11
votes

Joe Byrne

Joe Byrne - another member of the Kelly gang who was involved in the bank robbery at Euroa. He was killed in the shootout at Glenrowan.
10

5
votes

Steve Hart

Steve Hart is a member of the Kelly gang who was involved in the shootout at Stringybark Creek. He was also killed in the shootout at Glenrowan.

Missing your favorite bush ranger?

Graphs

Discussion

Ranking factors for famous bush ranger

Length of criminal career

The longer the bush ranger's criminal career lasted, the more notoriety and infamy they may have acquired over time.
Notable exploits and crimes

Bush rangers who were involved in particularly notorious or daring crimes may be more famous than those who committed more minor offenses.
Public perceptions

The bush ranger's public perception during their criminal career and after their death can also play a role in their level of fame.
Historical significance

Some bush rangers may have played a significant role in shaping Australia's history, whether through their actions or the way they were portrayed in popular culture.
Pop culture and media depictions

Some bush rangers may have been romanticized or portrayed in popular culture, which can contribute to their fame and recognition.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most famous bush ranger. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or bushranger is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

1907 views
174 votes
10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each bushranger once every 24 hours. The rank of each bushranger is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most famous bush ranger

Bush rangers were notorious outlaws who roamed the Australian bush during the 19th century, often resorting to robbery and violence to survive. They became folk heroes for their daring escapades and defiance of authority. One of the most famous bush rangers was Ned Kelly, who led a gang of outlaws in the late 1800s and became a symbol of resistance against colonial oppression. Other notable bush rangers include Captain Thunderbolt, Ben Hall, and John Dunn. Despite their criminal activities, bush rangers have become an important part of Australian folklore and continue to fascinate people today.