Stawell

Stawell is a historic gold-mining town in the Northern Grampians Shire of western Victoria, located on the Western Highway at the eastern edge of the Grampians National Park. Established as Pleasant Creek after gold was discovered in 1853, it became a major quartz-gold mining centre. Today it is known as the gateway to the Grampians, home of the famous Stawell Gift footrace, and for its heritage buildings, lookouts and access to natural attractions.

Visitors can expect a compact country town centre with heritage streetscapes, shops, cafes and historic buildings set against the backdrop of the Grampians ranges. Key areas to explore include Main Street, the Stawell Gift Hall of Fame at Central Park, Big Hill and Ironbarks lookouts with views over the town and Grampians, and nearby bushland reserves. The town serves as a base for Grampians National Park walks, drives and wildlife viewing.

Gold was discovered at Pleasant Creek in May 1853, leading to a major gold rush. The town was surveyed as Pleasant Creek and renamed Stawell in 1858 after Sir William Foster Stawell. It became one of Victoria's richest quartz-gold mining centres with deep underground mines operating from the 1850s, including the Stawell Gold Mine which continues today. The Stawell Gift professional footrace was first run in 1878.

Stawell is nationally known for the Stawell Gift, Australia's most famous professional footrace held each Easter at Central Park since 1878. The town reflects Victorian goldfields heritage and serves as a cultural gateway to Gariwerd (Grampians National Park), a landscape of significance to Djab Wurrung and Jardwadjali people.