Pomborneit East - Hawks Nest Road Dry Stone Wall Drive

Hawks Nest Road is one of the best places in Corangamite Shire to experience the region's remarkable dry stone wall heritage. This quiet country road passes through rich grazing land where long sections of beautifully preserved basalt walls line both sides of the road, creating one of the most impressive dry stone wall landscapes in south-west Victoria.

Constructed during the mid to late nineteenth century, the walls were built by early settlers using locally collected volcanic basalt. Each stone was carefully selected and placed by hand without mortar, creating strong, durable boundaries capable of withstanding generations of farming. Many of these walls remain in everyday use more than 150 years after they were built.

The drive showcases the distinctive volcanic landscape of the Western District, where ancient lava flows left abundant basalt that was cleared from paddocks and transformed into kilometres of expertly crafted walls. The combination of rolling farmland, mature trees and continuous stone walls makes Hawks Nest Road particularly popular with photographers and visitors interested in rural history.

As the road is lightly trafficked, there are several opportunities to pull over safely and admire the craftsmanship. Every section reveals subtle differences in construction, with carefully formed corners, gateways and long uninterrupted runs of stone highlighting the skill of the original wall builders.