Stawell Cultural Heritage Trail
The Stawell Cultural Heritage Trail is a self guided driving or walking tour of Stawell which links interpretive signage throughout the township.
An enjoyable, nostalgic experience, the Stawell Heritage Trail provides an excellent introduction and taste of local history. It includes attractions such as the Town Hall with its animated clock, the old court house museum with relics of gold rush days and the historic railway station which houses an art gallery.
As a major town in Western Victoria, Stawell (named after Sir William Foster Stawell, Chief Justice of Victoria 1857-1886) boasts a rich, colourful heritage. Visitors are invited to explore the town's nostalgic history on a self-guided tour of notable buildings and historical sites through the Stawell Heritage Trail brochure.
Pastoral runs in the Stawell area were selected in the 1840s, but it was the discovery of gold at Pleasant Creek (former name for Stawell) in 1853, that gave Stawell life. More than 20,000 eager fortune seekers flocked to the area, building a thriving bustling centre. During this boom time, other industries developed, mostly based on the region's
natural resources. Soon churches, schools, hospitals, hotels and railway punctuated the landscape and provided a strong community framework for future developments. The heart and soul of this community survived the decline of gold in the 1920s and Stawell's prosperous commercial centre is testimony to the efforts of early settlers and civic leaders.
Stawell, is perhaps best known today for hosting the annual Stawell Easter Gift, the world's richest footrace. It is also recognised as the home of Victoria's largest gold producing mine. Stawell welcomes visitors to enjoy the natural magnificence of the region.
Location
Main Street, Stawell 3380 Map
Web Links
→ Stawell Cultural Heritage Trail Brochure (PDF)
