Murtoa - Stick Shed
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The Murtoa Stick Shed is an extraordinary heritage-listed grain storage building constructed during World War II. Located on the eastern edge of Murtoa, approximately 300 km northwest of Melbourne, it is the only surviving emergency bulk grain storage shed of its type in Australia.
Also known as the Murtoa No. 1 Grain Store, the Stick Shed was built between September 1941 and January 1942 to store surplus wheat that could not be exported during the war. The huge building was constructed in just four months using locally available materials and practical Australian engineering ingenuity.
The Stick Shed measures approximately 265 metres long, 60 metres wide and almost 20 metres high, covering an area of 16,000 square metres. Its enormous corrugated iron roof is supported by hundreds of tall, unmilled mountain ash timber poles, known as 'sticks', which give the building its name.
Inside, the rows of towering timber poles, vast open space and light filtering through the roof create an almost cathedral-like atmosphere. The building is sometimes described as the 'Cathedral of the Wimmera'.
The Stick Shed was added to Australia's National Heritage List in 2014 in recognition of its historical and architectural significance.
History:
During World War II, restrictions on shipping meant that Australian wheat growers were producing more grain than could be exported. Emergency storage facilities were needed to protect the wheat harvest.
Murtoa was selected as an important grain storage location because it was situated in a major wheat-growing district and beside railway lines connecting the Wimmera and Mallee with Melbourne.
The Murtoa Stick Shed was one of several enormous emergency grain storage buildings constructed during the war. While the others have been demolished, Murtoa's remarkable structure survives as a reminder of the wartime challenges faced by Australia's agricultural industry.
Visiting the Stick Shed:
The Stick Shed is now regularly open to the public, allowing visitors to walk inside and appreciate the immense scale of the building.
Highlights include:
- Exploring the vast interior and its extraordinary rows of timber poles
- Looking along the enormous central aisle
- Admiring the cathedral-like structure and natural light entering through the roof
- Learning about Australia's wheat industry and wartime grain storage
- Viewing historical displays about the Stick Shed and its construction
Review:
The Stick Shed is a humongous structure and an awesome sight. Its size is difficult to appreciate from outside, but the interior is even more impressive, with seemingly endless rows of tall wooden poles supporting the enormous roof.
Previously, visitors could generally only see inside during special events. With the building now open daily, it is well worth including on a visit to Murtoa or a trip through the Wimmera.
Opening Hours:
Open seven days a week, generally from 10 am to 3 pm. Check the official Stick Shed website for current opening information and any temporary closures.
Cost:
Admission fees apply, with adult, concession, child and family tickets available. See the official website for current admission prices.
Location
1471 Wimmera Highway, Murtoa 3390 View Map
✆ 0434 227 921
Email Enquiry
Web Links
→ www.thestickshed.com.au
→ Stick Shed (from Wimmeria Way Back When blog)
→ Poles apart from Notre Dame, bush cathedral has devotees (The Age)
→ Murtoas famous Stick Shed (The Grapevine)
→ The Stick Shed on Facebook
