Memorial Gates, Central Park, venue of the Stawell Easter Gift

Stawell (including Dadswell Bridge and Glenorchy)
Substantial town famous for its professional running races.
Stawell is a former goldmining town of some 6700 people located just off the Western Highway, 32 km north-west of Ararat, 235 km north-west of Melbourne and 231 m above sea-level. It is a service centre to the surrounding district and supports a number of industries such as brick-production, goldmining, a substantial and very successful fabric upholstery concern and an abattoir, as well as more traditional grazing and farming.pursuits. With the Grampians close by Stawell has a growing tourism sector (see entry on Halls Gap). Just south of town are the wineries of Great Western.

The Mukjarawaint Aborigines occupied the area prior to white settlement. The first European to pass through the townsite was explorer Thomas Mitchell in 1836. The first station was 'Concongella' in 1841. Gold was discovered on Pleasant Creek by shepherd William McLachlan in May 1853. By 1857 there were an estimated 20 000 miners in the area. They set up a canvas-and-wood settlement known as Pleasant Creek.

The government proclaimed and renamed the settlement 'Stawell' in 1858 after Sir William Foster Stawell, an attorney-general in Victoria's first legislative assembly (1856) who became the chief justice of Victoria in 1857.

The original town centre and administration buildings were established near the Pleasant Creek goldfields. However, as the alluvial gold began to diminish in the 1860s, the population and economic activity began to shift north-east to the Big Hill area where a new settlement, known as Quartz Reefs, developed around the quartz gold found at the foot of the hill. Thus the original townsite became known as Stawell West. The two areas were amalgamated into the borough of Stawell in 1869.

When mining activity at Ballarat diminished in the late 1860s it freed up a flow of capital and experienced hands to the Stawell fields, initiating a boom period during the 1870s which saw new administration buildings erected close by the Big Hill mines. The railway further boosted local economic and social activity upon its arrival in 1876.

Reef mining ended in 1920, by which time around 58 tonnes of gold had been extracted. The settlement survived the slow inevitable decline of the goldfields due to (a) its role as a service centre to the farming community and (b) the emergence of local industries such as a flour mill, brickworks, tannery and woollen mills. Gold mining recommenced at Stawell in 1981.

Of some historical interest is the fact that Marcus Clarke worked as a jackeroo to the north-west of town in the 1860s. The settlement of Glenorchy was the 'Bullocktown' of his 'Bullocktown Sketches' which were published in the Australasian.

Stawell's calendar features the Grampians Jazz Festival in February, the Grampians Gourmet Weekend Festival in May, the Stawell Hot Air Balloon Festival in June and the Agricultural Show in October. The Easter Athletics Carnival is the setting for the Stawell Gift which has been run on Easter Monday since the inaugural race in 1878 which was established for the entertainment of the miners. It is Australia's best-known, richest and oldest professional foot-race, drawing up to 20 000 spectators each year. The Grampians Pro Am Golf Circuit comes to Stawell in March and the Stawell Spring tournament is held in September

A trash'n'treasure is held at the SES Hall in Sloane St on the morning of the first Sunday in the month.

Memorial to Jack Donaldson, great professional runner, Central Park

Things to see:  

Tourist Information and Historic Precinct
When Stawell was proclaimed in 1858 the town centre was essentially the block bounded by Longfield St (the Western Highway), Griffith St, Leslie St and Seaby St. The Stawell & Grampians Visitor Information Centre is located in park-like grounds by the corner of Longfield and Seaby Sts in the old shire office, built in 1866. The two rooms at the rear were added in 1873.

This is a fully-accredited Level One information centre which also handles accommodation bookings, tel: (03) 5358 2314 or free-call (1800) 246 880.

Next door, on the eastern side, is the former literary institute (1868) which served principally as a library although it became a classroom while the Grammar school was under construction and was later converted to a residence.

Stawell Museum
A few doors along is the old courthouse, built in 1860. As the goldfields began to diminish in the 1860s the population centre shifted north-east to the Big Hill area. Consequently, in 1880, a new courthouse was opened in Patrick St and the old building became the police barracks and, in 1912, a private residence. Purchased by the local council in 1973 it was restored and is now a local history museum. There are photographs taken in the 1860s, 19th-century costumes, goldrush artefacts and local history documents. It is open on Sundays from 2.00 p.m. to 4.00 p.m.or by appointment, tel: (03) 5358 3725.

Police Precinct
The land between the courthouse and the Griffith St corner was originally occupied by the police department. Thus, to the rear of the privately-owned house next door is a two-cell lock-up that was built at the same time as the courthouse. The rest of the land to the corner was initially occupied by the police stables.

Turn left into Griffith St. Facing onto Griffith St is a four-stalled stable associated with the residence of the Wimmera police superintendent (1869) which is situated adjacent at the Griffith and Leslie St corner.

Over the road is a marker to denote the site of the original cemetery (used from 1853-1858 and thought to contain 78 graves). The headstone is the sole survivor. When it was located it was being used as a doorstop in a local house.

Pleasant Creek
Continue along Griffith St until it turns the corner becoming Burgh St and reaches a T-intersection. If you look to the right there is a bridge before you over Pleasant Creek. Nearby is a memorial which commemorates the discovery of gold on the creek by William McLachlan who was shepherding the sheep of what was then 'Concongella' station in May 1853. It was this discovery which ultimately led to the settlement of the townsite. On the northern bank of the creek is the caravan park on the site of the town's original botanic gardens where the first Stawell Gift foot-race was held in 1878.

The historic grandstand at Central Park

Central Park and Hall of Fame
Central Park on Lower Main St is where the Stawell Gift has been run since 1898. On the roadside is the Stawell Gift Hall of Fame which has a video, photographs, equipment, memorabilia and souvenirs relating to the 120-year history of the 120-metre dash. It is open from 10.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. from Wednesday to Sunday or by appointment, tel: (03) 5358 1326 or (03) 5358 2020.

Station Gallery
Napier St forms the southern boundary of Central Park. On the other side of Napier St is the railway station and stationmaster's residence (both 1877). The latter has been converted into the Stawell Railway Station Gallery where paintings, sculpture, photography and crafts are on display from 10.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m., Thursday to Sunday and public holidays, tel: (03) 5358 2330.

Seaby Street
Return to the main road which, south of the railway line, is known as Seaby St. At the corner of Luke and Seaby are two private residences of note. No. 10 Seaby St (with the mosaic-tile footpath and verandah) was built in 1890 for a mine-owner and no.9 (diagonally opposite) dates from 1870.

At Seaby and Prince Sts is the unusual sight of Diamond House (1866-1868). The external walls consist of stones gathered from Church Hill (opposite) which have been assembled into a mosaic of regular diamond shapes.

At Seaby and Smith is one of the town's oldest residences, the Anglican vicarage (1863), now a private residence. The original Anglican church was located on the hill opposite.

Turn down Smith St. Behind the pepper trees to the left is the rear of a red-brick building erected in 1870 as the main classroom of a Grammar School which operated until 1912. The teacher's residence and two-storey student's dorm were built in 1870.

Return to Central Park.

HISTORIC WALK- Stawell North
Just north of Central Park is a roundabout. Turn left into Barnes St. To the right is the primary school which opened in 1876. As the goldmines were in full-swing, 1076 pupils were initially enrolled. To the rear of the complex is an older common school, established in 1865 and still in use.

Return to the roundabout. Ignore Scallan St on the left and follow Main St opposite. Just past Manse St, to the left, is Holy Trinity Church of England (1872). On the other side of the road is the Salvation Army Citadel. Behind the brick complex is a wooden church hall which served the Army from 1886 to 1934 when the citadel was built.

At the corner of Main St and Joyce Lane is the town hall (1872). Try to arrive near the hour as the Town Hall clock chimes on the hour and two figures of diggers working on a gold-washing cradle appear to the sound of Westminster chimes. If you can arrive at two minutes before 9.00 a.m., noon, 3.00 p.m., 6.00 p.m. and 9.00 p.m. the song 'With A Swag Upon His Shoulder' is played.

Follow Main St to the start of the Gold Reef Mall where you will find the post office (1875). The crooked nature of Main St, as manifest in the mall, is due to the fact that it started as a dray track for miners making their way to the mines around Big Hill. Shops hemmed in the route on either side before any survey was conducted, thereby setting the uneven course and narrowness in stone.

Head along the mall and turn right down Doyles Lane to Sloane St. On this corner is the Church of Christ, built in 1870 as the Lyceum Theatre. It operated as a Primitive Methodist Church before being purchased by the current owners in 1908.

Turn left into Sloane St, follow it to Patrick St and turn right. To the left is the elegant courthouse (1880), built of local granite and freestone on the site of the original Catholic church (1865). Further along the road, to the left, is the present Catholic church (1873), also of local granite and freestone with Italian marble used for the altar and statuary.

The particularly keen may wish to walk further along Patrick St to the secondary college, past Duke St. The main building was erected in 1878 as the Stawell East State School which was filled with the children of miners working around Big Hill. It became a high school in 1912 and a secondary college in 1987.

Opposite the Catholic church Clemens St heads off Patrick St. Follow Clemens to its end, turn right into Wimmera St and follow that back past the mall to Scallan St and turn right. To the immediate left is St Peter's Lutheran Church built for the Congregational Church in 1874.

Reverse direction, heading back along Scallan St. To the right are the Baptist Church (1870) - which originally featured morning services in Welsh due to the number of Welsh miners in town - and St Matthew's Uniting Church, built in 1868 to replace the original 1860 church. The latter is a substantial structure which features a spire that seems to ascend forever.

At Ligar and Scallan Sts, near the roundabout, is the Returned Soldiers League Building, originally a private residence built in 1898 by Edward Simmons, part owner of the Oriental Mine. The porch and hall feature fine mosaic floors. The RSL museum is only open Sundays or by appointment, tel: (03) 5358 2387.

The Big Hill Area
The northern section of Main St, beyond the mall, passes Fraser Park where there is some early mining machinery. Opposite is the intersection of Main St and Big Hill Rd where there is an arboretum which was developed to cover the scars of the extensive reef mining which took place here on the western slopes of Big Hill from the 1860s to the 1890s.

Big Hill Rd leads up to the Pioneers' Memorial and lookout from whence there are fine views of the town, the present goldmining operations to the south-east and the Grampians to the west.

Caspers World
Caspers World In Miniature is a large tourist park which is open daily from 9.00 a.m. in London Rd, tel: (03) 5358 1877. It consists essentially of a series of exhibits featuring models, dioramas and audio material relating to the different cultures and countries of the world and the icons which are most strongly associated with them. There are landscaped gardens, an international doll collection, an Asian pavilion, souvenirs, antiques, books, a cafeteria, picnic-barbecue facilities and a restaurant.

Leisure Centre
At the corner of Newington Rd and Houston St is the Stawell Leisure Complex which has a large pool with waterslides, a spa, indoor rockclimbing and other indoor sports. Adjacent is North Park where the brick foundations of a stamper battery can be seen near the outdoor pool. Some of the richest mines in the state - Cross Reef, the Magdala Mine (the last to operate in town) and the Oriental Mine - once operated nearby.

Overdale and Landsborough
At 'Overdale' there is a two-hour guided tour of a working sheep and cattle station. It is located 8 km east of town on Landsborough Rd. For further information contact the tourist information centre. If you are heading to Landsborough (36 km east) Kevin Free's Studio in Burke St features original sculptures in stone and wood, paintings and other handcarved works, tel: (03) 5356 9203.

Sisters Rocks
The Sisters Rocks are huge granite tors named after the Levi sisters who camped there in the early gold days. They are now smothered in graffiti which ruins or enhances them, depending on your politics.

If you are approaching from the south along the Western Highway they can be seen from the roadside just before the first turnoff into the city centre.

Bunjil's Shelter
Bunjil's Shelter is a cave in the Black Range which features important Aboriginal rock art depicting Bunjil, a major spirit figure for the Aborigines of south-eastern Australia. Oven mounds and tool quarries have also been located in the area which was in use 5000 years ago.

To get there head out of town on the Pomonal Rd. After about 7 km there is a signposted side-road on the left which leads a further 3.5 km along a white sandy road to a car park from whence there is a scenic 45-minute walk. The site is well-situated offering fine views of the Grampians which emerge from the plains in the near distance.

Donovan Wines
Established in 1981, Donovan Wines are located on the Pomonal Rd, to the south-west of town. They produce shiraz, chardonnay, cabernet sauvignon and riesling and are open by appointment only, tel: (03) 5358 2727.

Lake Lonsdale
Lake Lonsdale, 12 km north-west of Stawell, is a rather shallow lake with a large surface area. Its water level varies but, in wet years, it is a good fishing spot, from either bank or boat. It is also a popular waterskiing spot with boat ramps, sand dunes and bushcamping. The Green Hole outlet is ideal for picnicking.

There are two approaches to the lake. The Bellaura Rd is the third left off the Western Highway past the information centre. This is the road to Halls Gap. Several kilometres along this road there is a signposted turnoff to the right which leads to the lake. Alternatively you can follow the Western Highway north towards Horsham. Several kilometres from Stawell there is a signposted turnoff on the left which will take you to the lake.

Lake Fyans
If you follow the Bellaura Rd towards Halls Gap for 14 km there is a turnoff to the left (also signposted) which will take you to Lake Fyans where there are sandy beaches, a boat ramp, a free swimming area and a caravan park but no bushcamping. The lake is regularly stocked with rainbow trout, brown trout and redfin. Waterskiing and yachting are also popular.

Deep Lead Reserve
Deep Lead Flora and Fauna Reserve is a pleasant section of state forest located 6 km north-west of Stawell adjacent the Western Highway. A timber sign indicates its whereabouts although there are no facilities.

Dadswells Bridge
About 27 km north-west of Stawell you will pass the 'Giant Koala' on the left which will alert you to the fact that you are in the tiny township of Dadswells Bridge. In 1988 a sculptor named Ben van Zetten was commissioned to design and construct a giant koala. The Big Koala stands 14 metres high, it weighs 12 tonnes and is made of bronze set on a steel frame with a fibreglass-bronze mixture being used to create the rough and hairy exterior. There is a licensed restaurant, a motel and, just off the highway, a caravan park. Relics of the goldmining days can be seen in the area.

Just before you reach the 80 km per hour zone Roses Gap Rd heads off to the left, leading westwards through the northern section of Grampians National Park (see entry on Halls Gap).

Tours
There are innumerable organisations in the town and area which conduct various types of tours (by foot, bicycle, canoe, mountain bike, 4WD, hot-air balloon, aeroplane, camel, horse and horse-drawn vehicle) into the Grampians and the district generally. There are also abseiling and fishing tours. For further information on any of the above ring the visitors' information centre.

	Tourist Information
	Stawell & Grampians Visitor Information Centre 54 Western Hwy Stawell VIC 3380 Telephone: (03) 5358 2314, 1800 246 880
	Motels
	Central Park Motel 3 Seaby St Stawell VIC 3380 Telephone: (03) 5358 2417 Rating: ***
	Coorrabin Motor Inn 7 Longfield St Stawell VIC 3380 Telephone: (03) 5358 3933 Rating: ***
	Diamond House Motor Inn 24 Seaby St Stawell VIC 3380 Telephone: (03) 5358 3366 Rating: ***
	Goldfields Motor Inn Western Hwy Stawell VIC 3380 Telephone: (03) 5358 2911 Rating: ***
	Hi-Way Eight Motor Inn 28 Western Hwy Stawell VIC 3380 Telephone: (03) 5358 2411 Rating: ***
	London Motor Inn 10 Horsham Rd Stawell VIC 3380 Telephone: (03) 5358 2200 Rating: ***
	Motel Stawell Western Hwy Stawell VIC 3380 Telephone: (03) 5358 2041 Rating: ***
	Magdala Motor Lodge Motel Western Hwy P.O. Box 345 Stawell VIC 3380 Telephone: (03) 5358 3877 Rating: ****
	Hotels
	Albion Hotel Gold Reef Mall Stawell VIC 3380 Telephone: (03) 5358 2080
	Brix Hotel Barnes St Stawell VIC 3380 Telephone: (03) 5358 1058
	Commercial Hotel Main St Stawell VIC 3380 Telephone: (03) 5358 2070
	National Hotel Wakeham St Stawell VIC 3380 Telephone: (03) 5358 1257
	Town Hall Hotel Main St Stawell VIC 3380 Telephone: (03) 5358 1059
	Bed & Breakfast/Guesthouses
	Bellellen Rise Bed & Breakfast RMB 2032 Bellellen Rd Stawell VIC 3380 Telephone: (03) 5358 2750 Rating: ****
	Clovelly House Bed & Breakfast 7 Clifton Ave Stawell VIC 3380 Telephone: (03) 5358 2986 Rating: ****
	Natural-way Therapeutic Massage Bed & Breakfast RMB 2013 Bullocky May Rd Stawell VIC 3380 Telephone: (03) 5358 3896 Rating: ***
	Wayfarer House Bed & Breakfast 30 Patrick St Stawell VIC 3380 Telephone: (03) 5358 2921 Rating: ****
	Apartments
	Mackeys Peak Holiday Apartments P.O. Box 488 Stawell VIC 3380 Telephone: (03) 5358 1850 Rating: ****
	Cottages & Cabins
	Monaghan Cottage Kirkella Rd Stawell VIC 3380 Telephone: (03) 5358 1507 or (03) 5358 4321 Rating: ****
	Stawell Holiday Cottages Errington Rd P.O. Box 282 Stawell VIC 3380 Telephone: (03) 5358 2868 Rating: ***
	Caravan Parks
	Stawell Park Caravan Park Western Hwy P.O. Box 1 Stawell VIC 3380 Telephone: (03) 5358 2709 Rating: ***
	Stawells Grampians' Gate Caravan Park Burgh St Stawell VIC 3380 Telephone: (03) 5358 2376 Rating: ***
	Restaurants
	Casper's World In Miniature Restaurant London Rd Stawell VIC 3380 Telephone: (03) 5358 1877
	Diamond House Motor Inn 24 Seaby St Stawell VIC 3380 Telephone: (03) 5358 3366
	Gold Reef Chinese Restaurant Gold Reef Mall Stawell VIC 3380 Telephone: (03) 5358 1005
	Goldfields Motor Inn Western Hwy Stawell VIC 3380 Telephone: (03) 5358 2911
	Hi-Way Eight Motor Inn 28 Western Hwy Stawell VIC 3380 Telephone: (03) 5358 2411
	Magdala Motor Lodge and Restaurant Western Hwy Stawell VIC 3380 Telephone: (03) 5358 3877