Each Friday afternoon from December to January 2020, tourists disembark to enjoy a coach ride to a dining destination, where they experience the best local producers.

There are opportunities to take a guided walk into the heart of Gariwerd, following Stony Creek upstream to the Venus Baths.

About 230 guests will visit during the eight-week initial season of the Great Southern.

Due to the length of the Great Southern train, extended stoppages at the Seaby Street and Sloane Street rail crossings have occurred.

Northern Grampians Shire Council Mayor Murray Emerson said the slight disruption to the rail crossings was a small price to pay for the tourism opportunities the new rail expedition offers the region.

"The Great Southern is very welcome in Stawell and will be a fantastic addition to the tourism opportunities on offer in the Northern Grampians," he said.

"Drivers in Stawell are asked to take note of the changes to the rail crossings, obey the directions of the crossing signs and warnings, and to be patient; three to five minutes isn't a long time to wait.

"We know that the kinds of journeys that come through and stop in the region encourage return visitors. Tourists get a taste for the area and often return to experience it time and again.

"This, in turn, strengthens our out-of-region tourism and increases our overall visitors, this is a wonderful opportunity to showcase our region to new people and travellers."

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