 |
|||
|
home > grampians > towns > glimmera > about me > about sj > contact |
|||
 |
|||
|
Stawell is the closest large town to the Grampians National Park and the tourist village of Halls Gap, making it an ideal base to explore the natural attractions in the area. The Stawell Gift - known as the richest foot race in the world - runs for three days over Easter. The town comes alive with the excitement and atmosphere from the influx of tourists and famous athletes. Stawell enjoyed a rich gold mining boom during the Victorian Gold Rush days. However, while mining ceased in 1920, the Magdala Mine opened in the 1980s and is still operating as one of Victoria's largest gold mines. The town centre originally developed along Longford Street (Western Highway), close to Pleasant Creek where gold was first discovered in 1853. The old shire hall office in Longford Street (built in 1866) now operates as the visitor information centre, while a few doors down is Stawell's original courthouse (1860), now operating as a local history museum. Stawell's population later began to shift eastwards to the Big Hill area where quartz gold was discovered, and this is where Stawell's main commercial centre lies today. Shops line the Main Street between Layzell Street and Victoria Street, set against the backdrop of the Grampians mountain range to the south. Notable historic buildings in Stawell include the railway station on Napier Street (built in 1877) which has been turned into a gallery showcasing paintings, sculptures and craft. The town hall, at the corner of Main Street and Joyce Lane, dates back to 1872, and there are several historic churches which grace the streets of Stawell.
|
PAGE UNDER CONSTRUCTION
CLICK BACK TO
HOME OF THE STAWELL GIFT
POPULATION 6,000
DISTANCE FROM MELBOURNE 233 kilometres north-west of Melbourne
Stawell and Grampians
Visitor Information Centre
|
||
|
© 2009 William D Fedor |
|||
