The Top Family Activities and Playgrounds in the Northern Grampians Shire Region
The Northern Grampians Shire region is three hours drive north-west of Melbourne and includes the main towns of
Halls Gap,
St Arnaud and
Stawell. Part of the Grampians National Park lies within the shire.
Highlights of the region are the magnificent
Grampians National Park. Some of the most spectacular locations within the park are
MacKenzie Falls,
Venus Baths Loop Walk and
The Pinnacle Walk.
Halls Gap Zoo has a varied mix of native and exotic mammals, reptiles and birds,
Brambuk Cultural Centre highlights Indigenous culture and bush foods and
Grampians Adventure Golf will test everyone's mini-golf skills.
A map of the region is:
The best
playgrounds in this region are:
School Street Playground, Halls Gap
An extensive playground with two main play structures. One structure has dual slides, climbing wall, cubby seat, balance beam, tunnel, wavy walkway, little wave slide, clock panel, distorting mirror, shop front and steering wheel panel. The other structure has a wave slide, curved slide, steep inclined climber with circles, tunnel, steps climbing bridge, curved climber, chain traverse, arched monkey bars, horizontal bar, steering wheel, walkway, scrambling wall, ladder and fireman's pole. Also a log roll, two horse springers, standalone metal slide and swings (without safety chains).
Grassy area dotted with trees and plenty of unshaded tables. There is a huge shelter with BBQs and four tables. Toilets and water tap. Located next to the swimming pool.
Cato Park Playground, Stawell
The playground located on the north side of the lake has a number of sections. The main part is fenced and has a fairly low wooden structure with lots of levels, a spiral slide, curved ladder, ladder with square rungs, inclined climber bridge with circles, tunnel, shop front, walkways, steering wheel, abacus, monkey rungs and wave slide. There are poles for a shade sail (maybe that is installed during summer?). This area also has a see-saw, pelican springer, yacht springer, fish springer and swings.
Next to the fence is a Liberty swing. The next area has a birds nest swing, spinning disk, swings and a big circle on a pole which you spin around hanging on with your arms.
Another section is a traversing area with monkey bars, monkey rungs, flying fox and stepping stones.
There is a shelter with table and BBQ, another shelter with seats, unshaded tables, toilets and grassy area. On the west side is a shelter with tables and BBQ plus unshaded tables. Keep an eye open for black swans which frequent the lake.
The
skate parks in this region are
Stawell Skatepark (Basic metal street course with a concrete base. There is a quarter at each end and a pyramid, rail and various ramps in the middle)
St Arnaud Skatepark (Metal prefab elements on a concrete surface including a range of quarters, banks, grind rails, stairs and a jump ramp)
Reviews of all playgrounds, skate parks and BMX Tracks in the Northern Grampians Shire council region are
here:
Family activities in the Northern Grampians Shire region include:
Halls Gap
Grampians National Park (Rising abruptly from the surrounding Western Plains, the Grampians 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)
Grampians Adventure Golf and MOCO Gallery (Course is set on 2 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens. Two mini mountains form the centre of the course from which six waterfalls and streams meander around, over and under the greens)
Halls Gap Zoo ( More than 120 species of native and exotic mammals, reptiles and birds)
Brambuk Cultural Centre (Houses an Aboriginal cultural centre which explains much of the history and stories associated with the area)
Boule-o-Drome (Every Saturday afternoon travellers and local residents are welcome at the Boule-o-Drome for a friendly game of petanque - boules)
Grampians Flora Botanic Gardens (A small garden devoted to Grampians Flora which is totally volunteer funded and managed)
Grampians Personalised Tours & Adventures (Activities include 4WD vehicle based tours, outdoor adventures such as abseiling, rock climbing and eco mountain biking, night walks, night safari and bushwalks)
Halls Gap Swimming Pool (A 30m solar heated outdoor swimming pool and shaded toddler pool)
Hangin' Out (Guided rock climbing tours, courses and adventures i the Grampians)
Splitters Falls (A short walk to a seasonal waterfall best viewed in spring when wildflowers dot the landscape)
The Pinnacle Walk (There are a number of walking options to reach The Pinnacle which has spectacular lookout views with the easiest route being a two hour 4.2km return walk which includes some water crossings and rock-hopping)
Venus Baths Loop Walk (A shady 2.3km return stroll to rockpools)
Halls Gap & Grampians Visitor Information Centre (Local information on attractions)
Venture (Assisted exploration of the area on foot, by bike or even on water)
St Arnaud
St Arnaud Visitor Information Centre (Local advice on accommodation, shopping and dining)
St Arnaud Cultural Heritage Trail (A self guided driving or walking tour of St Arnaud which links interpretive signage throughout the township)
St Arnaud Swimming Pool (A seasonal outdoor pool with a 50m solar heated pool, toddlers' wading pool, one metre diving board and three metre diving board)
Bible Museum and Butterfly Garden (There are educational displays of many types including the history of the Bible. Museum contains more than 1500 bibles)
Stawell
Stawell & Grampians Visitor Information Centre (Provides visitors to the region with up to date, relevant information on attractions and sights)
Deep Lead Nature Conservation Reserve on the outskirts of Stawell (Walks and cycling in an area with reminders of the reserve's mining history)
Stawell Cultural Heritage Trail (A self guided driving or walking tour of Stawell which links interpretive signage throughout the township)
Blue Moon Alpacas (Visit the farm and learn more about the fascinating alpacas)
Stawell Leisure Complex (Aquatic facilities include an indoor heated pool, spa, outdoor pool, toddler pool and water slides. Other facilities include squash / racquetball courts, basketball, volleyball, netball, indoor soccer and cricket, badminton and BBQ facilities)
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Zumsteins
MacKenzie Falls (The falls flow all year round. There are two viewpoints, either walk to the base of the falls via a steep trail where water cascades over huge cliffs into a deep pool or the alternative path to a viewing platform at the Bluff which offers great views of the Falls)
Broken Falls (A cantilevered lookout on the edge of the gorge offers sweeping views of the river tumbling over the wide, dissipated waterfall)
Fish Falls (Cascades 60 metres over terraced rocks into a pool below year round)
Other Locations
Silverband Falls at Bellfield in the Grampians National Park (Take a short stroll through shady, ferny forest to arrive at the base of Silverband Falls)
Marnoo Swimming Pool (A 30m main pool and a toddler pool attached to the Marnoo Primary School)
Beehive Falls near Roses Gap in the Grampians National Park (Best after rain, this picturesque waterfall drops 25 metres into sheltered rock pools surrounded by ferns. The return walk takes about 1.5 hours)
Aboriginal Rock Art Shelters (Five Aboriginal rock art shelters are open to the public and are all easily accessible. They are located across the Grampians and one, Bunjil's shelter, is located near Stawell)
Kara Kara National Park near Stuart Mill (Activities include walking, cycling, four wheel driving, camping, picnicking, fishing, boating, prospecting and scenic drives)
St Arnaud Range National Park (Features mainly steep, forested terrain. Activities include bushwalking, four wheel driving, camping, picnicking, fishing, boating, prospecting and scenic drives)
Web Links
→ www.ngshire.vic.gov.au
The Top Family Activities and Playgrounds in the Northern Grampians Shire Region, Stawell, Victoria, 3880
