Situated roughly three-hours north-west of Melbourne, The Grampians National Park (Gariwerd), known for its spectacular wilderness and rich history, is brimming with culture as well as beautiful scenery and outdoor fun.
Rising majestically from Victoria’s western plains, the impressive cliffs and lofty sandstone summits of the Grampians draw a large crowd of outdoor enthusiasts every year. People can enjoy rock-climbing, camping, hiking, waterfalls, and amazing wildlife encounters year round. You may be immersed in forests, swim at the base of waterfalls, or be awe-struck by breathtaking views of the national park from at one of its many lookouts.
A trip to the Grampians National Park is sure to be a memorable one for every kind of traveller.
GETTING TO THE GRAMPIANS NATIONAL PARK
Making your way to the Grampians region is quite simple by car or public transport. There are a number of major highways arriving from different directions and PTV rail services from Melbourne and Adelaide.
While there is no doubt that the overland rail service would be a peaceful and scenic experience, I’d recommend going by car if you can. There are a number of iconic small towns to stop in if you have an interest in regional Victoria. Additionally, you will also have the convenience of having your car with you for the trip.
We’d recommend using the small town of Halls Gap as your base destination for exploring the region. Halls Gap is the most popular destination for travellers in the region as there is plenty of accommodation and access to all the amenities you may need for your Grampians adventure.
If travelling by car you can expect the following journey times:
– Dunkled to Halls Gap, 45 minutes
– Geelong to Halls Gap, 2.5 hours
– Melbourne to Halls Gap, 3 hours
– Twelve Apostles to Halls Gap – 2.5 hours
WEATHER AT THE GRAMPIANS – WHEN TO VISIT
The Grampians National Park is one of those places you can visit all year round. With each of the four seasons experienced in Australia, bringing a different but equally as enjoyable Grampians experience.
Summer in the Grampians (December to February) is incredibly hot with the region regularly experiencing temperatures in the high 30’s and 40’s. This brings about an increased bushfire risk, total fire bans and makes hiking more strenuous. However, this is definitely our favourite time to visit because the wildlife is more active, there are plenty of waterfalls and rivers to cool off in, and campsite beers just taste better in the sun!
The milder climates experienced in Autumn (March to May) and Spring (September to November) provide the best conditions for experiencing all that the Grampians have to offer. But, be wary of planning for school holidays and long weekends as the popular spots can get extremely busy.
There is snowfall on mountain peaks at the Grampians each Winter (June to August), providing breathtaking scenery. Trekking is more challenging in the winter as the rocky terrain becomes slippery. To make the most out of your winter Grampians experience, think log cabin’s, fire places, warm clothes – you get the picture!
THINGS TO DO AT THE GRAMPIANS NATIONAL PARK
Reed Lookout and The Balconies – Take in the sunset at Reed Lookout and the Balconies. From here, take in spectacular views of the Victoria Valley. The iconic Balconies Lookout is a short, 1km walk from Reeds Lookout. Located about 15 minutes drive from Halls Gap.
MacKenzie Falls – Mackenzie Falls is one of Victoria’s greatest waterfalls. It’s year-round flows and sheer size make it a ‘must see’ on any Grampians trip itinerary. It does take a couple of kilometres of hiking from the carpark to reach Mackenzie Falls, but it is definitely worth it. Especially on a hot summers day, as you can swim at the base of the falls! You must traverse a number of rocks at the foot of the falls before you can cross the river and take in the entire view.
The Pinnacle – The Pinnacle Lookout is one of the main attractions in the Grampians. The hike is 4km roundtrip from the Wonderland and Sundial parking lots. You’ll be rewarded with sweeping views of the surrounding area after scaling rocks and walking through wilderness. Keep an eye out for echidnas!
Boroka Lookout – Start your day taking in a breathtaking Grampians National Park sunrise at Boroka overlook. This viewpoint, which is located about 15 kilometres from Halls Gap, is easily accessible by car, and it only takes a short walk to get from the parking lot to the viewing platform. Unmatched vistas of the Wonderland Range, Mount William, and Lake Bellfield may be seen from Boroka Lookout.
Paper Scissors Rock Brew Co. – This trendy micro-brewery is for beer lovers and burger enthusiasts! It has great beer, great food and live music. Enjoy sampling the variety of tap beers on offer and grab yourself a growler to enjoy when you get home.
Barney’s Bistro Bar – located just outside of Halls Gap is an Australian outback vibe. The large renovated barn is a place to enjoy indoor / outdoor dining and beverages while listening to music, playing pool and enjoying the family friendly atmosphere. Try the American Parma (there abbreviation, not mine) and you won’t be disappointed!
GRAMPIANS ITINERARY (2D)
While it is possible to do a day trip to the Grampians from Melbourne or Geelong, we think an overnight stay would make the experience so much more worth-while.
Two days is ample time to take in the top sights of the Grampians National Park. You could definitely expend your stay for days and weeks and still enjoy yourself.
This is the itinerary we followed for our two day Grampians experience.
Day 1
6:00am – Arrive at Boroka Lookout while still dark and find a nice rock to sit on, hang your feet over the edge and take in the sunrise. Hopefully you get clear skies and maybe even a valley full of fog!
7:30am – Head to MacKenzies Falls and get lost in its beauty! Be careful when you scale the rocks to the side of the actual waterfall if you are brave enough to go underneath it. As much as I hate to admit it, I did fall a couple times. Whoops.
9:30am – Go for brunch, rest up and recharge your batteries.
12noon – Depending on the weather and your energy levels, find a time today to tackle The Pinnacle! Setting off from the Wonderland Car Park should see you complete the circuit in 2-3 hours. Normally I would suggest staying on the path, but this is area is very easy to navigate to feel free to stray and take in more of the views often missed along the way.
6:00pm – Go for dinner at one of the unique and charming restaurants in the region. If you are staying in Halls Gap be sure to leave the car at your site and enjoy a night walk to and from the restaurant. Keep an eye out for Koalas!
Day 2
8:00am – Spend the morning fuelling your body at one of the bakeries or cafes in Halls Gap.
10:00am – Head to Mount William and complete the moderate trek to the highest point in the Grampians National Park. The summit is 1,167m in height and will reward you with stunning 360-degree panoramic views over the region.
2:00pm – After your epic summit (and lunch), treat yourself to a refreshing visit to Venus Baths. Complete the flat 2.3km circuit and take a dip in one of the many fresh water rock pools.
5:00pm – Enjoy an early dinner before you head off on your final stop.
7:00pm – Wind down and reward yourself after a weekend of adventuring by taking in the sunset at the famed Balconies. Here you will find rock formations that stick out, overhanging the mountain. They are quirky to look at or provide a daring location to sit and take in the amazing views.
