Stawell, Victoria

Stawell
Victoria
View south over Stawell toward the Grampians National Park from Big Hill lookout
Main street, Stawell
Stawell is located in Shire of Northern Grampians
Stawell
Stawell
Coordinates37°03′0″S 142°46′0″E / 37.05000°S 142.76667°E / -37.05000; 142.76667
Population6,220 (2021 census)[1]
Established1853
Postcode(s)3380
Elevation231 m (758 ft)
Location
LGA(s)Shire of Northern Grampians
CountyBorung
State electorate(s)Lowan
Federal division(s)Mallee
Mean max temp Mean min temp Annual rainfall
20.1 °C
68 °F
8.5 °C
47 °F
533.4 mm
21 in

Stawell (/stɔːl/ "stall"), is an Australian town in the Wimmera region of Victoria 237 kilometres (147 mi) west-north-west of the state capital, Melbourne. Located within the Shire of Northern Grampians local government area, it is a seat of local government for the shire and its main administrative centre. At the 2021 census, Stawell had a population of 6,220.[1]

It was founded in 1853 as Pleasant Creek during the Victorian gold rush. It is one of few towns in Victoria retaining an active gold mining industry.

Stawell is famed for the Stawell Gift, a professional foot race that began in 1878. It is also known as the gateway to the Grampians National Park. One of the most significant Aboriginal cultural sites in south-eastern Australia is Bunjil's Shelter, within the Black Range Scenic Reserve, south of Stawell.

It is named after Sir William Foster Stawell (1815–89), the Chief Justice of Victoria.

  1. ^ a b Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Stawell (Suburbs and Localities)". 2021 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 14 November 2022. Edit this at Wikidata