We are in Stawell for a few days to explore this area. From the towns lookout you can clearly see the Grampians off in the distance.

The following morning we could see a low fog hanging in the valley.

Once the fog had lifted we went off to explore Halls Gap and take in the scenery from the lookouts.

From Bokara Lookout it is obvious why Halls Gap is so called. It sits at the northern start of the rock formations that opens up through the middle.

Unfortunately a smoke haze makes the photos look a little dull but it really was worth the visit.

The views from Reids Lookout and The Balconies is spectacular. It is a one kilometre easy walk to the lookouts and well worth the stroll.

From the lookout you could clearly see the festivities of the ‘Grape Escape’ taking place below in Halls Gap. The event promotes local wines, beers, ciders and gins as well as local gourmet foods and guest chefs. From up on high we could even hear the music.

The dam is Lake Bellfield and it started as the local water supply but in 2010 a pipeline project was completed and it now supplies water to approx 35 town across the Wimmera and Mallee regions. It is also a local recreation area and used for swimming, canoeing and fishing – but no powerboats are permitted.

North of Stawell is the small town of Murtoa, home of the only remaining ‘stick shed’ in Australia.

The Murtoa Grain Store, know known as the Stick Shed, was built in 1941 to hold a wheat surplus during WWII. After a bumper year and with world export restrictions in place due to the war there was an urgent need for the grain to be stored. The usual hessian bags were in short supply so bulk storage was the only way to go.

The shed is about 270 metres long, 60 metres wide and 19 metres high. It is constructed from 560 tall mountain ash trees and took just 4 months to complete. It had two conveyors, one up on the roof for distributing the grain after it was received in the hopper and the other along one side for outloading on to the trains.

After here we are heading back down onto the coast for a few days.