Stawell is the renowned home to one of the most prestigious and richest professional foot races in the world, the Stawell Easter Gift. At the Hall of Fame Museum you can see photographs, memorabilia and equipment which highlight the history of this famous sports meeting. Stawell's excellent range of accommodation and strong commercial centre make it an ideal base for exploring the Grampians Ranges and nearby wineries. History Pastoralists were in the area in the 1840's, but it was the gold found by William McLachlan, a local shepherd, in May 1853, that provided the real reason for the town. By August 1854, around 5,000 people were seeking their fortune at the Pleasant Creek Goldfield. By 1857 the fabulously rich alluvial leads of Commercial Street and Deep Lead had been discovered and rushes of eager gold seekers brought 20,000 people to the fields. The area was surveyed and proclaimed Stawell in 1858. Gold mining ceased in 1920 when the Union Quartz Mining Company closed. New prosperity came to the town however, through the North West Woollen Mills which began processing in 1922 and in 1984 the Stawell Joint Venture re-opened the mines around Stawell and are part of Australian Goldmines. Stawell is now Victoria's largest producer of gold. You can visit the mines and view the massive trucks and excavators. The Stawell Athletic Club ran the first Stawell Gift in 1878 which is still one of the worlds richest professional foot races. Things to Do and See Eleven kilometres south of Stawell, in the Black Ranges, is Bunjil's Shelter, one of Victoria's most important Koorie art sites. Caspers World in Minature Tourist Park, London Rd, has scale working models of famous world landmarks, such as the Eiffel Tower, dioramas and commentaries. Other Points of Interest Sisters Rocks, lie about 5kms south of Stawell. these huge granite tors are named after the three Levi sisters who camped there in the early goldfield days. Old cyanide vats in Leviathans Road, last used in 1935 to extract gold from tailings. Pleasant Creek Courthouse Museum - Western Highway. Stawell Gift Hall of Fame Museum. Sheep Station - Landsborough Rd. Central Park is the scene of the Easter gift which has been run here since 1898 and Cato Park Gardens - Lower Main St. Big Hill Pioneer Memorial is a local landmark and goldmining site offering wonderful views of Stawell and the district. The western slopes of the hill were the scene of the rich quartz mines which stretched for about 2kms, which was a forest of poppet heads between the 1860's and the 1890's. Events Lake Fyans Triathlon. Stawell District Hospital Pro-Am. Stawell Easter Gift Festival (professional foot race). Grampians Highland and National Dancing Club Championships. Hot Air Balloon Festival. Agricultural Show. Lake Fyans Fly Fishing Competition. Orchid Show - October. Rose and Garden November. How to Get There Stawell is 233kms north-west of Melbourne Melways Ref: 520 E11 Pop: 7,000 Visitor Information Stawell and Grampians Information and Booking Centre 50- 52 Western Highway, Stawell. Vic. 3380 Ph: 03 5358 2314 Freecall: 1800 246 880 Click Here to View Map Back to Top     Stawell Central Park Stawell Easter Gift