Discover Stawell: Easter tradition, culture and nature

Stawell combines a long sporting tradition with cultural attractions and nature destinations nearby. The Stawell Gift takes place at Easter and its history dates back to 1878; in Central Park, the Stawell Gift Hall of Fame is dedicated to the competition. Stawell also has a gallery featuring works by local artists, a memorial in Cato Park and the Stawell Cultural Heritage Trail. Outside town, there is a 2 km loop walk and the opportunity to explore a forest on foot or by bicycle. When planning your trip, you can focus on the Easter event, culture or time outdoors.

The Stawell Gift and its history

The Stawell Gift has been held every year at Easter since 1878. There were exceptions from 1942 to 1945 because of the Second World War and in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is considered Australia’s oldest and richest short-distance race. These interruptions are part of its long, but not uninterrupted, history. If the race is the reason for your trip, check the dates for the year in question.

The Stawell Gift Hall of Fame is located in Central Park. Its collection includes artefacts, memorabilia, multimedia clips and archives dating back to the Stawell Gift’s beginnings in 1878. This puts the competition’s history in the spotlight alongside the event itself. For families, the contrast between the sporting event and the collection’s historical material can provide its own talking point.

Cultural attractions in Stawell

Stawell Railway Station Gallery displays works by local artists, and its exhibitions change. If you want to visit to see particular works, check what is currently on display beforehand. The Stawell Cultural Heritage Trail is also one of Stawell’s interesting attractions. Along with the gallery and the Hall of Fame, it offers another cultural point of interest during your stay.

A council notice published in September 2025 about the completed accessibility upgrade describes the routes around the Stella Young memorial in Cato Park: paths lead from two accessible parking spaces both to the memorial and to accessible toilets. If this connection is important to your visit, check its condition beforehand.

Nature nearby

The McCann Dam nature walk is in the Deep Lead Nature Conservation Reserve, just outside Stawell, and is a 2 km loop. There are basic picnic facilities just off the Stawell-Deep Lead Road. The loop length and picnic facilities offer practical details for planning. Local conditions and facilities can change, so it is worth checking before your visit.

Stawell Ironbarks Forest can be explored on foot or by bicycle in the area around Stawell. In contrast to the McCann Dam nature walk, the focus here is on the two ways of getting around; seasonal conditions may affect access. The options thus differ: one is described by its loop length, the other by the ways it can be explored. Take local conditions into account when planning.

When to visit and how to find a hotel

Your reason for travelling is a practical starting point when looking for a hotel in Stawell: the Stawell Gift is tied to Easter, the gallery has changing exhibitions, and seasonal conditions can affect access to Stawell Ironbarks Forest. If one of these is central to your stay, check your planned dates against the relevant event dates or conditions.

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