Stawell in western Victoria is famous for hosting Australia’s richest foot race - the Stawell Gift.
But now the small town 230 kilometres from Melbourne is about to play a major role in a scientific race, as researchers try to understand what makes up our universe.
Dark matter does not absorb, reflect or emit light, so it has never been seen.
Its existence is inferred in the gravitational effect it seems to have on visible matter.
An underground lab at the Stawell Gold Mine could hold the secret.
In the lab, a crystal will be immersed in 10 tonnes of liquid surrounded in a steel case, with scientists watching to see if they can detect the particles.
It cost 12 million dollars to build, and is a collaboration between several Australian universities.
There's a lot at stake for the researchers - there are about a dozen other dark matter labs in the world, but nothing like this in the southern hemisphere.
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