10 Grampians Experiences
This is where you will find the best of what the Grampians has to offer, from a good mountain walk or waterfall to some Indigenous history and easy going lookouts. Call it 10 Wonderful Experiences In The Grampians. For those making a day of it from Melbourne or putting in a more leisurely weekend in Halls Gap, we have put together a guide to make the most of your time.
Mitchell Bancroft here. As a writer from Melbourne I have little patience for the sort of thing one finds in a glossy brochure and would rather put forward a travel plan that is of some use. There is a certain straightforwardness to the Grampians but do not let it lull you; seasonal closures, poor reception on your phone and a steep track can be an unwelcome surprise. Do yourself a favour and consult Parks Victoria’s Grampians National Park page for any alerts before you head out.
Plan Your Grampians Adventure
With a national park this size the experiences are well scattered, so some forethought will prevent a good deal of backtracking. Make Halls Gap your base and take along water. If the notion of a sandwich while you are on the move is not to your liking, put aside more time than the car park sign would have you believe.
The figures in the table below are a realistic way to start your planning, but they are not set in stone like an inscription on a rock face; maintenance, fire or weather may alter distances and access.
| Experience | Typical Return Distance | Difficulty | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Pinnacle | 4–6 kilometres or so | Moderate to challenging | Hikers, for the views |
| MacKenzie Falls | Some 2 kilometres to the base and back | Moderate | To see the waterfall |
| Boroka Lookout | 1 kilometre | Easy to moderate | Sunrise and the like |
| The Balconies | 2 kilometres | Easy to moderate | Photographs and rock formations |
| Venus Baths Loop | 2–3 kilometres | Easy | A gentle walk with the family |
| Silverband Falls | 1–2 kilometres | Easy | Seasonal water in the forest |
Hike To The Pinnacle
There is a reason the Pinnacle is considered a classic. You are rewarded at the end of the track with a dramatic vantage over the valleys and Halls Gap. It is no technical feat yet there is uneven rock, steps and narrow places as well as the uphill effort to contend with.
You will usually come from the Sundial or Wonderland side if access allows. Figure on two to four hours for the return journey once you factor in stops for photographs and to catch your breath. On a map the exposed parts do not seem so long after a hot day as they do in person, and rocks are slippery when it has rained.
A common error is to set off late without water. Put on something sturdy for your feet, bring sun protection, a jacket and two litres of water to the person at least in the heat. The lookout can be deceptively calm until the wind comes up and makes short work of your hat and confidence.
MacKenzie Falls
One of the more reliable waterfalls in the Grampians since it is in flow all year round, subject to how much rain has fallen of late. There is a viewing area for a wide angle but to get to the base means many steps and a steep climb back.
Set aside 60 to 90 minutes for the visit, more should you wish to linger at the various viewpoints. The return leg of the track is tiring enough for young ones or older folk, let alone anyone who has to carry a small person who has had a change of heart about walking.
Do not go near the water and certainly not on wet rocks. You cannot tell from a photograph what force a waterfall has and the water is indifferent to your confidence. See what the access is like first.
Boroka Lookout
For an unobtrusive way to take in the Grampians at their finest, try Boroka. The view from here takes in the ranges and their changing colours as the sun does its work, opening out to the plains, Lake Fyans and Halls Gap.
Late afternoon will be warmer and busier, sunrise tends to be quieter. Give yourself 30 to 60 minutes to drive, walk and get into position. Mind the children around the edge barriers as the wind is strong and forget the light weight tripod.
You may be expecting a tranquil spot and a fine photo, only to be met with a full car park, cloud cover and a bird after your snack. But it is worth the trip, just let the landscape be what it is.
The Balconies
For a walk that is not onerous yet takes you into the bushland to see some uncommon sandstone formations jutting out over the valley, make for The Balconies. One can put the geological character of the Grampians in perspective with the orange and grey rock; the low sun will do enough to define their edges. A casual walker should find the path manageable if he has 45 to 90 minutes to spare for the return journey, though there are times when one may wish to linger. Do be aware of uneven or dusty ground and put on enclosed footwear. In any wind it is best to stay clear of the cliff edge.
A sensible option if one is after some rock formations but does not want to put in a long day on the mountain. It is also suited to later in the day once the heat has gone, as long as you are back before it gets dark and every tree seems to have an agenda of its own.
Venus Baths Loop
In Halls Gap the Venus Baths Loop is among the more gentle excursions. An easy way to get close to town, the trail runs alongside Stony Creek and through some smooth granite and shallow waterholes. At a leisurely pace you could be at it for 60 to 90 minutes. There is no major climbing so it is fine for families and others in search of a respite in nature, but prams and the like will find parts of the track awkward and the rock is slippery when wet.
You will have better luck with running water if you come after a rain, but do not be under the impression the rock pools are fit for swimming. Water quality is not to be relied on and what appears to be a smooth surface can be as rough as guts underfoot.
Halls Gap Zoo
When the wildlife is well hidden or the weather is nothing special, or you have children in tow who require something with a definite start and end (and a snack), Halls Gap Zoo is a practical matter. In a controlled environment one can get up close to native and introduced species.
Plan on two or three hours to see the enclosures and for feeding time. Since the zoo is some distance from the centre of Halls Gap, look up directions and opening times ahead of driving out. Family entry will often be worth more than separate tickets.
Of course a trip to the zoo is no replacement for the wild. Around the campgrounds and roads one should not be tempted to feed or go near wallabies and kangaroos. They may appear at ease but are unpredictable, food or no food.
Brambuk
To get a handle on Gariwerd and the Indigenous history of the Country in the Grampians, Brambuk The National Park and Cultural Centre is where to start. The centre gives the landscape a cultural dimension instead of just scenery. Make time for an hour or two, longer still if there are exhibitions or activities on. Check what is on before you travel as programmes and arrangements are subject to change. Put away the camera and do not treat living cultural knowledge as a photo op; be respectful in your questions.
For most it is the visit that puts a different spin on the remainder of the trip. Before you take the next scenic detour you would do well to give some thought to the fact these mountains are part of an older cultural landscape, not merely a set of trails and lookouts.
Silverband Falls
If between the bigger draws you are in the mood for something quiet, the short forest walk to Silverband Falls will do. The route goes through the woodland to a narrow waterfall, all the more so after it has rained. You will need 45 to 90 minutes for the return and to make stops without being in a hurry. In dry times the falls can be a thin run-off or not there at all, which is only what one expects of a seasonal waterway in Victoria.
Take insect repellent and shoes with grip, particularly near the damp undergrowth. A mozzie is a small thing but can make a personal grievance of an otherwise tranquil walk in the forest.
Lake Fyans
For open water and a change of pace, Lake Fyans is a good addition to any Grampians itinerary. One can fish if allowed, have a picnic or some quiet photography and get away from the steeper trails. Set aside one to three hours, more if you intend to have lunch by the lake or make a day of it. Services are not to be had at every point of access so bring your own provisions. Heed the signs, leave private land be and see to it that you take your rubbish with you.
Wind, rain and the ebb and flow of seasonal water levels will see Lake conditions vary. Do not think every part of the shoreline is fit for a swim or to put in a boat; it is better regarded as an area for some untroubled recreation. Should you have equipment to transport, make sure you are clear on the access and safety rules prior to setting off.
The Pyrenees-Style Wine Country
Those looking at a list of things to do in Grampians National Park may not put wine first, yet the region has been making it for a long time. After a morning’s walking one can put in a different kind of day with cellar-door tastings and some regional lore at Best’s Wines or Fallen Giants Vineyard.
Plan on two hours for a visit to a single cellar door, more if you are going to be around. And leave the winding country roads to others; there is no need to race them. Make use of a tour or put in place a designated driver. Opening times and any tasting fees are subject to change, as are bookings.
This is an afternoon for adults to enjoy the landscape and what is locally produced at a leisurely pace. Not so much after you have put in a hard hike and are running on a muesli bar, dehydrated and sunburnt.
One Day In The Grampians
You can tick off a number of highlights in a day but not sensibly all the walks, waterfalls and wildlife stops along with a trip to the cellar door. Pick a good length hike, a short one and something of a cultural or scenic nature and then factor in some margin for queues and the state of the road.
An early start on The Pinnacle or another must-do walk is in order if the day is limited. From there head to MacKenzie Falls or The Balconies, put in an appearance in Halls Gap for some food and end the day at Brambuk or a lookout, provided access is there. Have your enclosed walking shoes on and a supply of water and food, plus sun protection and something light for the rain.
- Before you go, look into fire danger, track status, weather, mobile reception and where the toilets and fuel are.
- Stay to the marked tracks, let the wildlife be and put in your walking plan on the record with someone.
Where To Put Down Roots
For most, Halls Gap is the base of choice, being near to the main attractions as well as shops and cafés. But book in advance on a popular weekend or during school holidays; you will find last-minute accommodation is either gone or costly.
From Melbourne the drive is the easiest option though it will be a few hours with traffic and depending on the route. Public transport is available but you may have to make connections, so have the full itinerary confirmed before you count on it. A day trip from Melbourne can be done but it is a long one. Two nights allows a proper breakfast instead of toast in the car park and more realistic time for the walks and whatever the weather brings.
When Conditions Are Different
Spring tends to make for stronger waterfall flows and more greenery, summer for hotter tracks and a greater chance of bushfire closures that force an early start. Autumn is fine for a walk, winter will give you crisp air and a smaller crowd but also surfaces that are wet and treacherous.
On an exposed ridge the weather has a way of turning. Leave a difficult walk for another day in the event of thunderstorms or extreme heat and high fire danger. A sign saying the track is closed is just that, not a suggestion from the park to be ignored.
Older posts online may not tell the whole story after a storm or some maintenance, so check official park alerts and the forecast before departure.
Visitors’ Questions
First-timers and families wanting to get a lot out of a weekend will find these answers to the usual practicalities helpful.
Halls Gap: what is there to do?
The Venus Baths Loop is a favourite, as is a call in on the zoo or the local cafés. Halls Gap also makes a good launching point for Brambuk, MacKenzie Falls and The Pinnacle. It comes down to how far you want to drive and your own ability.
Some unique experiences in Victoria?
There is something very Victorian about pairing the sandstone and mountain walks of Gariwerd with its native wildlife and a glass of regional wine. A stop at Best’s or Fallen Giants and a walk through the ranges is a better way to travel than merely putting in an appearance at the lookouts.
What should not be missed in the park?
On a first outing make time for The Pinnacle, Boroka Lookout, The Balconies and MacKenzie Falls. The Venus Baths or Silverband Falls are good for a shorter affair. But do verify access; the most well known spots can be off limits at times.
How many days?
A well planned day will do for the highlights, but two or three is more to your comfort. You have the flexibility for a longer walk and to see what the weather does. Those intent on covering the walking network will want to put in more time.
Can a beginner handle it?
If you pick a track suited to your fitness. The Venus Baths Loop and Boroka Lookout are more of an approach than the likes of The Pinnacle. But do not be fooled by steep returns or the distance from one attraction to the next, nor the heat and slippery rocks.
More Than Just A Photo
Walk the ridges, have a listen to some Gariwerd stories and put in some time by a seasonal waterfall, perhaps spot a wallaby. There is no requirement to put in a conquest of every track to make the visit worthwhile.
I would suggest this: put yourself up in Halls Gap for a couple of nights, have your priority walk picked out before you arrive and keep an afternoon open. Check the official alerts each morning. Some organisation is called for in the Grampians but it is also good to know when to put the map aside and let the bush have its say.