Halls Gap - Grampians National Park - Wimmera

Halls Gap - Grampians National Park

Rising abruptly from the surrounding Western Plains, the Grampians (Gariwerd) is a series of rugged sandstone mountain ranges and forests rich in wildlife. One of Victoria's most popular holiday destinations, the park is a great venue for camping, climbing, scenic drives, bushwalks and nature study.

A network of walking tracks throughout the park allows you to explore cascading waterfalls, brilliant spring wildflower displays, and panoramic views from lookouts.

Drive to Reeds and Boroka lookouts for spectacular views or visit the magnificent Fish Falls. The area has a rich Aboriginal heritage and a number of important rock art sites.

The key to gaining the most updated information for your holiday to the Grampians is to visit Brambuk the National Park and Cultural Centre. Here you can discover more about the parks fascinating natural and cultural landscape.

Chat to information staff about the many recreational opportunities available, visit the spectacular Gariwerd dreaming theatre, explore interpretive displays or relax in the bush tucker cafe. Cultural Rangers will be able to take you on a bush tucker walk or rock art tour, or you can try your hand at traditional Aboriginal painting methods.

Popular things to do:

Picnic areas and day visits

The park is famous for its variety of walks, from a leisurely waterfall stroll to a challenging hike revealing grand views from mountain peaks. There are picnic areas at Zumsteins, Jimmy Creek, Ingleton Springs, Mount Zero, Mafeking, Buandik and Red Rock.

Zumsteins Picnic Area is located on the banks of the MacKenzie River and is the site of an historic settlement. It provides a great opportunity to relax in the natural setting of the Grampians, enjoy the wildlife, a barbecue and a short stroll.

Zumsteins Picnic Area has disabled access toilets, compacted gravel paths, electric barbecues and picnic shelters. A timber boardwalk is located along the banks of the MacKenzie River to allow visitors to interact with the river. It is suitable for wheelchairs.

Overnight hiking

Challenging walks and remote campsites greet overnight hikers in the park. These walks are suitable for fit and energetic walkers, and can involve water crossings, slippery track surfaces, rockhopping and rock scrambling.

Camping

- There are a variety of campgrounds located in beautiful forest surrounds. All campgrounds have basic amenities including pit toilets, fireplaces and picnic tables.

Walks

Reeds Lookout
Great views overlooking the Victoria Valley. Follow the path around the gate and along the sealed road to the summit of Reeds Lookout. From this magnificent lookout you will receive breathtaking views over Victoria Valley, Victoria Range, Serra Range, Lake Wartook and the Mt Difficult Range. Great views can also be seen from the carpark.

Distance: 100m return.
Time: 10 minutes.
Elevation Change: 15 metres.
Grade: Easy / Medium.
Start: Reeds Lookout Carpark.

The Balconies
The track climbs gently from the carpark, through rock outcrops and a stringybark forest to the Balconies lookout. From this lookout there are panoramic views over the Victoria Valley.

Distance: 2.0 km return.
Time: 1 hour.
Elevation Change: 50 metres
Grade: easy.
Start: Reeds Lookout Carpark.

Boroka Lookout
Boroka Lookout provides spectacular views of the Wonderland Range, Mt William Range, Fyans Valley, Lake Bellfield and the plains to the east of the Grampians. The lookout is located 15km from Halls Gap and is easily accessed via sealed roads.

An easy stroll through open stringybark forest along a sealed track leads to two viewing platforms. The walk to the lookout is suitable for people with limited mobility.

Distance: 90m one way.
Time: 5 minutes.
Elevation Change: 5 metres.
Grade: Easy.
Start: Boroka Lookout Carpark.

The Pinnacle
From the Main Street of Halls Gap, at the base of the sandstone mountain range that is at the heart of the Grampians National Park, or Gariwerd as it is called in the local Aboriginal language, you can see The Pinnacle. It is one of the rocky spurs jutting out from the jagged cliff faces that loom over the town.

From the street, The Pinnacle appears unnervingly high and potentially difficult to walk. The good news is that it is not, and the views from the lookout make every bit of effort worthwhile. It is one of the very best vantage points in the Grampians National Park for terrific scenic views over a vast expanse of western Victoria.

There are a number of walking options to reach The Pinnacle, varying in distance and difficulty. The easiest route to The Pinnacle departs from the Sundial carpark within the national park and ascends to The Pinnacle via Devils Gap. This is the best route to use if young children or unconfident walkers are part of your walking group. The 4.2km walk will take one and a half to two hours for the return trip. It does include some water crossings and rock-hopping, so good sturdy shoes are essential.

A more challenging walk departs from the aptly named Wonderland carpark and ascends via the impressive Grand Canyon. It does not resemble the American canyon of the same name but is equally impressive with its unique Australian rock formations, albeit on a smaller scale! The walk continues through the Silent Street before rising up to The Pinnacle.

For the really adventurous, you can walk to The Pinnacle from the base of the mountains, starting at the Halls Gap caravan park. This extended walk will take around five hours return so is suitable for fit and experienced walkers.

All these walks offer a variety of incredible rock formations to see and negotiate, as well as lush vegetation. In springtime, wildflowers burst into life with their brilliant bright colours. With an abundance of wildlife living in the park, your walk may also include glimpses of koalas, kangaroos, snakes, skinks and maybe even an echidna or two.

While you get your breath back after your ascent, you will be able to see Halls Gap far below you, as well as Lake Bellfield. Plus you will get a close-up look at the irregular and fascinating rock formations for which the Grampians are so well-known.

MacKenzie Falls Lookout
The iconic and spectacular MacKenzie Falls is a must for all visitors to Grampians National Park.

Distance: 1.9km return
Time: 40 minutes
Elevation change: 10 metres
Grade: Easy
Start: MacKenzie Falls Carpark

The Bluff Lookout provides sweeping views of MacKenzie Falls and the MacKenzie River from high above the gorge. The lookout provides the only opportunity to capture the multiple cascades of the MacKenzie River as it flows through the gorge, including a wonderful view of MacKenzie Falls. If you can't make it to the base of the falls, this is the best alternative.

Bluff Lookout is accessed via a gently undulating, sealed walking track that wanders through a sheltered woodland. It is suitable for wheelchairs.

For the most spectacular view approach the viewing platform from the right-hand fork of the track.

MacKenzie Falls Walk

Distance: 2km return
Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Elevation change: 110 metres
Grade: Easy (to Broken Falls lookout), medium (to base of MacKenzie Falls)
Start: MacKenzie Falls Carpark

Broken Falls Lookout provides a sweeping view of the MacKenzie River as it cascades over Broken Falls. The cantilevered lookout sits on the edge of the gorge.

The lookout is accessed via a short, sealed walking track from MacKenzie Falls Carpark. The initial section is steep, but the track and lookout are suitable for wheelchairs.

To continue to the base of MacKenzie Falls, return to the main track intersection and continue along the signposted track past Cranages Lookout. Take care as this walk has many steps and is steep, slippery and strenuous in sections. Return the same route.

Swimming is not permitted at the base of the falls.

Northern walks
Try one of the following day walks in the popular northern section of the park.

Mt Zero

Distance: 2.8 km return
Time: 1 - 1.5 hours
Grade: medium
Start: Mt Zero Picnic Area

From the picnic area, carefully cross the Halls Gap-Mt Zero Road and track markers will guide you up the rocky hillside. Near the top of the ridge the track becomes steeper to rock steps that lead up to the summit. Enjoy views of Mt Stapylton and the surrounding Wimmera plains. Return by the same route.

Mt Stapylton

Distance: 4.6 km return
Time: 2 - 2.5 hours
Grade: hard
Start: Mt Zero Picnic Area

This walk, suitable for fit and energetic walkers and can involve slippery track surfaces, rock hopping and rock scrambling. Signs and track markers guide the way up the steep rock slope of Flat Rock to a splendid vantage point overlooking a natural amphitheatre. The track descends to the base of Taipan Wall before continuing along rock terraces to an intersection. Follow signs and track markers to the final steep ascent. The view from the summit is spectacular, taking in much of the park and surrounding plains. Return by the same route.

Fish Falls

Distance: 4.6 km return
Time: 2 hours
Grade: medium
Start: Zumsteins Picnic Ground

A lovely walk to a small waterfall that flows all year round on the MacKenzie River. The track from Zumsteins will take you to the terraced base of Fish Falls.

MacKenzie Falls River Walk

Distance: 7km
Time: 2-3 hours
Grade: Medium
Start: Zumsteins Picnic Ground

Follow the track to Fish Falls where the track becomes steeper, meandering through a large gorge beside the river to the base of MacKenzie Falls.

MacKenzie Falls

Distance: 2km
Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Start: MacKenzie Falls Carpark

An easy stroll from the MackKenzie Falls carpark leads to a viewing platform overlooking the picturesque Broken Falls. To reach the base of MacKenzie Falls, follow the signs. Take care as this walk has many steps and is steep, slippery and strenuous in sections. Return the same route. Alternatively you can take the easy stroll to view MacKenzie Falls from Bluff Lookout. From the main walking track intersection turn right past the permanent toilets. Return via the same track.

Beehive Falls

Distance: 2.8 km return
Time: 1-1.5 hours
Grade: Medium
Start: Beehive Carpark

A short walk follows Mud Hut Creek upstream to a series of rock steps to Beehive Falls. A lovely small waterfall with surrounding rock pools. Return the same route.

Access for Dogs:

Dogs and cats are not permitted in the national park.

Note: Photos from Parks Victoria