inside Murtoa Stick Shed

If you are wondering what the Murtoa Stick Shed is and why you would want to visit a shed made from sticks, well, read on to find out why you should visit Murtoa Stick Shed.

The Murtoa Stick Shed, formerly known as the Number 1 Emergency Grain Store, is a large grain store that was built to hold the glut of grain unable to be exported due to World War II. 

Even though there were many concrete vertical silos at railway sidings in the Wimmera and Mallee region of Victoria, in 1940, these were full so a storage solution was required. These silos still exist and are now forming part of Victoria’s Silo Art Trail. 

Murtoa was chosen for a grain shed due to being a central location to the grain farming community in this part of Victoria. Work commenced on a solution for the grain glut in September 1941 and four months later in January 1942, grain was received at the shed.

Facts and Figures of the Murtoa Stick Shed

• If you are wondering what the Murtoa Stick Shed is built from, well, Murtoa Stick Shed is built from 560 unmilled poles or sticks. There are 56 rows of 10 poles that support the corrugated iron roof which is painted ferric red on the outside. 
• The iron roof reflects the natural angle of repose of stacked bulk grain (which you can see better when looking at the shape of the shed when outside.
• The Stick Shed is about 270 metres long x 60 metres wide x about 19 metres high. About the length of 5 Olympic pools, so I was told.
• The floor is made of concrete and is around 1.6 hectares.
• The grain was deposited in the shed via a conveyor belt. When filled, there were 3,381,600 bushels of grain.
• The Murtoa Stick Shed is heritage listed because of its cultural significance to farming, not only in Victoria, but Australia.

Murtoa Stick Shed Outside

My first glimpse of the Murtoa Stick Shed was as I drove through Murtoa, following the signs to the shed. It appears in the distance and just looks like a big shed with a red roof! It gets closer and closer and bigger and bigger.

the red roof distinguishes the shed in Murtoa

Inside Murtoa Stick Shed

It is inside the Murtoa Stick Shed where you can truly see how unique and large it is. And as the name suggests, there are big sticks everywhere. And even though I was thoroughly impressed by what I saw, can I just say, I found inside the Murtoa Stick Shed to be very dusty. I also thought it smelt musty and was quite dark because the windows are very small. I came out feeling a little dirty from the dust and my nose seemed a little blocked. So if you suffer from hay fever or asthma I would suggest having medication with you. Hopefully, I haven’t put you off but it is an interesting place to visit.

you have to stand in awe at the construction

Murtua Stick Shed FAQs

Why visit Murtoa Stick Shed? To see a shed made from sticks that is believed to be the largest in the Southern Hemisphere, and some say, the world.

Is Murtoa Stick shed worth visiting? I think the Murtoa Stick Shed is worth visiting.

How long to spend at Murtoa Stick Shed? I wondered around the stick shed for maybe 45 minutes. It will depend on your interest as to how long you will stay.

Where is Murtoa Stick Shed? The Murtoa Stick Shed is in the Victorian town of Murtoa in the Wimmera region of Victoria. It’s actual address is 1471 Wimmera Highway, Murtoa 3390. Murtoa is some 300km North-West of Melbourne and can be reached from driving along the A8, the main road between Melbourne and Adelaide.

Is there accommodation in Murtoa? Murtoa has a caravan park and a few farm stays. I stayed in Stawell and drove from there. I stayed in Stawell as a base to visit Murtua and the Grampians National Park.

Can you get food in Murtoa? Murtoa has a couple of cafes, Chrissy’s Cafe and the Lazy Lizard Cafe and there is a small supermarket.

What else is there to do in Murtoa?

As well as the Murtoa Stick Shed Murtoa is home to some silo art, a heritage listed train station and an interesting Old Water Tower. These are part of the Murtoa Museum Precinct at 1 Comyn Street, Murtoa. Inside the Old Water Tower is the James Hill Taxidermy collection including some 600 birds, reptiles, eggs and other specimens.

And you might want to take a walk along the main street of Murtoa which was established in 1872. The name Murtoa is believed to have come from an Aboriginal word for ‘Home of the Lizard’. There are some cute shops and a couple of cafes. I enjoyed a sandwich and cup of coffee at Chrissy’s Cafe.

And over the train line is the Murtoa’s silo art. It is part of the Silo Art Trail where country towns with silos are having them painted to represent the area. They are pretty cool to see. 

The Murtoa silo art represents discoveries of local psychiatrist Dr John Cade and the James Hill taxidermy bird collection

Are You Ready to Visit Murtoa Stick Shed?

I thought a visit to the Murtoa Stick Shed was well worth. It was a bit of a drive through flat Victorian farming land but very enjoyable all the same. Have you been to the stick shed?

For other things to do in Victoria, Australia go to my Victoria Travel Guide page