Smeaton

After a full day of walking covering over 30km, pilgrims arrive in Smeaton, a quiet country town that offers the first overnight rest on the Christus Rex Pilgrimage. With its wide skies, crisp country air, and peaceful surroundings, Smeaton is a welcome sight for sore feet and tired shoulders.

The town itself has deep roots in Victoria’s rural history. Established in the 1850s, Smeaton grew around sheep grazing and wheat production, and is home to one of Australia’s oldest working flour mills—Anderson’s Mill, built in 1861, which still stands as a local landmark. While the town is small today, it carries the enduring character of early settlement, industry, and quiet resilience.

The heart of Friday night in Smeaton is the Smeaton Bowling Club, which transforms into a vibrant hub of activity. The community hall, located within the club, provides a warm space for accommodation, while the camping field—just a paddock nearby—fills with rows of tents as pilgrims settle in for the night.

Here, fellow pilgrims serve one another, preparing meals, managing logistics, and keeping everything running smoothly. There are no bustling streets just the hum of pilgrims working together, sharing stories over dinner, and gently caring for one another after a long day’s journey.

While humble, Smeaton’s simplicity and the camaraderie found here make it a memorable part of the Pilgrimage. It’s where pilgrims begin to feel the strength of the shared walk, where laughter returns, friendships grow, and the horizon of Bendigo seems just a little closer.