I first saw the Grampians on a road trip from Melbourne to Adelaide. They appeared in the distance before getting bigger and bigger then smaller and smaller as we drove along the A8. And I wondered why these intriguing mountains were such a draw card. So I decided to discover the Grampians for myself to find out.
I discovered The Grampians region while driving Victoria’s Great Southern Touring Route. This road trip starts and ends in Melbourne and takes you on a wonderful trip visiting the Great Ocean Road, The Grampians and many Victorian country towns such as Ballarat. And I discovered the Grampians National Park and its surrounds has many things to see and do.
The Grampians National Park is a 168,000 hectare park and home to spectacular views over Victorian countryside, great hikes, wonderful waterfalls, lots of wildlife, Aboriginal rock art and a great wine scene too! I discovered The Grampians are the perfect place to get back to nature, if you want to!
Being about a 3.5 hour drive from Melbourne, it is best to spend a couple or more days in The Grampians to truly appreciate it. Although you could visit in a day if you don’t mind the drive and live a lot closer than Melbourne! I spent 3 days in the Grampians which I found a good length of time that allowed me to see and do the best things in the Grampians.
Based on my first-hand experience of the Grampians I share in this post some of the best things to see and do in the Grampians. So come with me and discover the Grampians for yourself.
Table of Contents
The Grampians at a Glance
What are the Grampians?
The Grampians are a couple of things. Firstly, it is the Grampians National Park, affectionately known as the Grampians. And you will find the Grampians located in the Grampians region of Victoria. The Aboriginal name for the Grampians is Gariwerd. So in the Grampians region you not only have the Grampians National Park but there are many Victorian towns that are home to some unique structures, events and local produce such as wine. But most, like me, when they think of the Grampians think of the national park known for its fabulous mountain views, hikes, Aboriginal rock art and waterfalls.
How Were the Grampians Formed?
The Grampians weren’t formed by volcanoes as I first thought. They were formed over 400 million years ago from layers of sand deposited in an inland sea. These layers were later uplifted and folded by tectonic forces as well as well as eroded over millions of years. Wow!
How Big are the Grampians?
The Grampians were proclaimed a national park on July 1 1984 and are some 413,210 acres (167,219 hectares) big. So pretty darn big! And being a national park, dog owners take note: dogs aren’t allowed in the national park.
The Grampians is so big it is divided into four regions. The Northern Region, Southern Region, Eastern Region and the Western Region. Each have their own unique things to discover. Most spend their time, like me, in the northern region where you find the best views, waterfalls and the major town of Halls Gap.
Where are the Grampians?
The Grampians region is located some 260 km (160 miles) west of Melbourne and some 460 km (290 miles) east of Adelaide.
Why go to the Grampians?
If you are travelling Australia doing the Big Lap or are considering a Victorian road trip, you may be asking ‘why go to the Grampians?’ Well, there are many reasons to make a visit to The Grampians. As you read through my post you will discover why I think a visit to the Grampians should be included in your Australian itinerary. There are some great views to be had, waterfalls to be visited, Aboriginal rock art to see, small towns to visit, hikes to undertake and local food and wine to enjoy.
Best Things to See and Do in The Grampians National Park
Tip: Pick up a Grampians touring map and plot out what you will see and do. Check out this travel map at Visit Grampians.
1. The Views from the Lookouts
If I was to make a Grampians bucket list, the spectacular views from the lookouts in the Northern Grampians area would top my list. And they top this list of the best things to see and do in the Grampians. So the first thing to see and do on any Grampians holiday is to get great views from the lookouts. In particular, Boroka Lookout and Reeds Lookout provide awesome views. And you don’t have to walk far from their car parks to reach them either.
One of the best things to do in the Grampians when staying overnight is visiting one of the lookouts at sunset. Boroka Lookout and Reeds Lookout are particularly popular for this. Take a picnic dinner and enjoy the colours of the sunset.
great views from Boroka Lookout, the Grampians overlooking the Victorian countryside
2. Grampian Hikes
If you love hiking, then you will be at home hiking in the Grampians with most of them rewarding you with superb views. There are walks for walkers of all levels. From easy taking less than an hour to hard walks taking all day.
Walks include The Pinnacle, Boronia Peak Trail, Venus Baths, Mount Abrupt, Mt William (the highest point in the Grampians National Park), Mt Sturgeon, The Balconies and The Piccaninny. If you have a couple of weeks you could do the Grampians Peaks Trail that connects the massive sandstone outcrops near Mt Zero in the north to Mt Abrupt overlooking Dunkeld in the south.
Whatever hiking you plan to do ensure you are prepared for your hike. Wearing hiking shoes is a must. You will be walking a lot on rocks which can be slippery when wet. And don’t forget a hat, sunscreen and water.
why not hike to get great views
3. Chase Waterfalls and Lakes
If you love your hikes to include a waterfall or two, then you will be in luck in the Grampians. The Grampians is home to a number of waterfalls, Silverband Falls, Nigretta Falls, Beehive Falls and the famed Mackenzie Falls.
Some say, Mackenzie Falls is a highlight of any Grampians getaway. It isn’t huge, at a mere 35 metres tall, but it is spectacular. There are a couple of walks to reach the falls, both from the Mackenzie Falls car park. And to get to the base you will be going up and down a fairly steep hill. And if hoping to swim, well you aren’t in luck here as there is no swimming permitted, but the spray from the cascading water should provide a cooling spray.
You can also include a visit the Grampians’ lakes. There are a number of those including Lake Bellfield, Lake Fyans, Lake Wartook, Lake Toolondo and Lake Hamilton. After a hot day hiking, a swim in one of the lakes to cool off is a must. Or perhaps you would prefer to fish one of the lakes. The lakes are a freshwater sport fish haven where you could be catching Trout, Golden Perch and Murray Cod.
Note: a Recreational Fishing Licence (RFL) is required for anglers between the ages of 18 and 70 and covers all forms of recreational fishing in all of Victoria’s marine, estuarine and inland waters. You can purchase a licence online at Service Victoria.
McKenzie Waterfall – a sight to behold
4. Discover Aboriginal Rock Art
Over 80% of Victoria’s rock art is found in and around the Grampians National Park (Gariwerd). Some notable spots to visit are in the western region – Billimina Shelter and Manja Shelter. One of the most significant is Bunjil Shelter, also known as Bunjil Cave in the eastern region. Bunjil is known as the creator of our land, people, the plants and animals and the laws by which Aboriginal people live. Bunjil Cave is one of the most significant cultural sites in south-eastern Australia. You can find Bunjil Shelter in the Black Range Scenic Reserve near Stawell. Stawell is a Victorian country town along the A8 highway linking Adelaide to Melbourne and only a 20 minute drive from Halls Gap.
Bunjil Shelter or Cave
5. Drive The Grampians Way and Visit Major Towns
The Grampians Way road trip circumnavigates the Grampians. It is around 300km and links the major towns in and around the Grampians. The two major towns of Halls Gap and Dunkeld are a must to visit. I loved walking around them being constantly overlooked by the magnificent Grampians.
Dunkeld is the major town in the southern area of the Grampians and is often used as a base to hike Mount Sturgen and Mount Abrupt. It is a cute town with a fabulous bakery and a few coffee shops. A visit to the Arbetorium is a must when in Dunkeld.
Halls Gap is the major town in the northern area of the Grampians. It is a great base to explore all the Grampians regions. The Boroka and Reeds lookouts are an easy drive or hard hike away and the town has everything you need for your stay. If you are wondering how Halls Gap got its name, well, it was named after Charles Browning Hall. He was a pastoralist who established a cattle run in the area around 1841-1842 through a mountain gap. And the town Halls Gap was developed within this mountain gap or valley. It is also known by its Traditional Aboriginal name, Budja Budja.
Halls Gap is also a 20-30 minute drive to other towns in the region such as Stawell – home to the Stawell Gift, Ararat and Dodswell Bridge where you find the ‘Big Koala’.
Halls Gap dominated by the Grampians
The Big Koala at Dodswell Bridge – yeah, it does look a little creepy!
6. Spend time with wildlife – Have a day at Halls Gap Zoo
There is plenty of wildlife to see in the Grampians. From wildflowers, native plants, animals and birds. I didn’t need to go far to see them as I had wild kangaroos munching on the grass in my hotel’s grounds! And there were plenty of them around Halls Gap township also. A large group of them were grazing on the cricket ground each day.
If you don’t see the animals in the wild you can always spend a day seeing the animals at Halls Gap Zoo. Yep, there is a zoo in the Grampians. This is a wonderful thing to do particularly if you are visiting the Grampians with kids. The zoo is about a 10 minute drive from Halls Gap.
The kangaroos on the Halls Gap cricket ground
7. Visit the Grampians Wineries
The Grampians region is renowned for producing high-quality cool-climate wines, particularly Shiraz and Riesling. Not as well-known as other wine producing areas such as the Barossa Valley in South Australia and the Yarra Valley in Victoria, non the less, some wonderful wines are produced in this area. Dating back to the 1860s, some notable wineries are Best’s Winery, Grampians Estate Winery and Seppelt Winery. One of the biggest wineries in Australia, Seppelt Winery, is found in Great Western, a small town along the A8. Just one road back from the main highway, you can visit Seppelt and go on the tour of its underground cellar.
Seppelt wines are world-renowned
How to Best Spend your time in the Grampians
Everybody has different priorities and thus want to see and do particular things in the Grampians. If you have never visited the Grampians I would suggest a 3 day visit to wet your appetite. This 3 day Grampians itinerary will provide you with a taste of the best things to see and do in the Grampians no matter if you are travelling solo, with friends, as a couple, or with your family with kids.
Days:
1 – Spend the day checking out the great views from the lookouts and maybe visit a waterfall or two.
2 – For the second day, drive around base visiting the major towns of Halls Gap and Dunkeld. The drive itself can take around 3 hours but include exploring the towns and maybe some of the Aboriginal Art, and this will take up the day.
3 – On your third day in the Grampians explore the surrounding area and visit a winery or two. Perhaps nearby towns such as Stawell and Ararat. Maybe visit Halls Gap Zoo. Or go on one of the many Grampian hikes.
Organise Your Trip to The Grampians
How to Get to the Grampians
The Grampians region is well serviced by major highways, whether you are travelling from Melbourne, Adelaide or the Warrnambool on the Great Ocean Road. This means you can reach the Grampians by car. There are public transport options if you don’t have a car. There is the rail service to Ararat, Horsham and Stawell connecting to Melbourne and Adelaide. From these towns, there are bus services to Halls Gap. Visit the Public Transport Victoria website for details and timetables.
Where to Stay in the Grampians
The Grampians has a variety of accommodation on offer. If you are driving a van or towing a caravan there are caravan parks available. If you need accommodation there are hostels such as the Grampians Eco YHA to log cabins to hotels of different levels for different budgets. The major towns to stay in are Halls Gap. I stayed in the Kookaburra Motor Lodge which was one street back from the main street in Halls Gap. I was able to walk into town. It was a very central place and gave me access to all the Grampians has to offer. Other towns to stay in are Dunkeld at the southern end of the Grampians and towns along the A8 such as Stawell, Ararat and Horsham.
Are You Ready to Visit the Grampians?
I hadn’t heard of the Grampians. The mix of scenic overlooks, Aboriginal art, wineries, and scenic drives in your 3 day itinerary sounds wonderful.
The Grampians are a wonderful place in Victoria and you can easily spend more than 3 days there with the mix of things to see and do.
sounds like a place that’s definitely worth seeing when in Australia. I’m now semi saving the Grampians onto my bucket list as I will be going from Robe to eventually Brisbane later this year. Seeing art work from the Aboriginals certainly sounds interesting.
I hope you can include a trip to the Grampians on your way from Robe to Brisbane – but I guess it will depend on how much time you have to travel!
It looks like an interesting place to go for a hike, that big Koala is both scary and cute, but I wouldn’t want to see it at night 😅
There are plenty of hikes in the Grampians (if you are a hiker) and yeah, the big Koala is quite creepy to some!