The Grampians National Park is one of Victoria's most popular
holiday destinations. Only 3 hours west of Melbourne along the
Western Highway, it offers peace and tranquility, magnificent
scenery, climbs and walks, easy access to spectacular lookouts
and features, and a romantic atmosphere unrivalled elsewhere in
the state.
Kookaburras and Corellas greet you each morning as their musical
calls echo from the mountains, koalas feed in the trees and kangaroos
cross the roads at will, all creating a rustic and rural atmosphere
into which you are quickly absorbed.
The walks and mountain-sides of the Grampians are covered with
beautiful wildlowers of every variety. The common heath will be
seen everywhere and in September the hills are ablaze with colour.
The Grampians National Park (Gariwerd) is the largest in Victoria,
being approximately 100km. long and 50km. wide. Situated in the
heart of western Victoria, it is easily reached from Adelaide,
Melbourne, the Riverland, the South Coast or the South East of
South Australia. Halls Gap, Stawell and Ararat offer a broad range
of accommodation and facilities for visitors, from where you can
explore the wonders of this beautiful area. Formed over hundreds
of millions of years, The Grampians are a range of spectacular
sand-stone ridges, heavily timbered, and rich in wildflowers and
fauna. Unusual rock formations, aboriginal rock paintings, waterfalls
and lakes, streams, and some 400km. of walking tracks make it
an ideal place to spend a few days away from the hustle and bustle,
and to mingle with nature. Ongoing erosion has created unique
rock formations, most of which are easily reached by car or foot,
and include the Elephant's Hide, Fallen Giant, Grand Canyon, Nerve
Test, Lady's Hat and The Balconies. Walking tracks lead to such
spectacular lookouts as The Pinnacle, Mackeys Peak and Boronia
Peak. By car you can reach Boroka and Reid's Lookouts, and Mount
William, all offering wonderful views across the ranges or township.
The Grampians were named when Major Thomas Mitchell visited the
area and climbed Mount William in 1836. He found mountains covered
in wildflowers of all colours. Some plant will be flowering at
any time of the year, however, they are best seen from August
to November. A wildflower exhibition is held in Halls Gap each
September. The Grampians are also a sanctuary for the many species
of wildlife, including the common kangaroos and koalas. Other
rarer species include gliders, bandicoots, potoroos and native
mice, with more than 200 species of birds in the area. Aboriginal
art sites also dot the area, with more than 40 recorded, many
easily accessible. Among the many sites in the Victoria Range
are the 'Cave of Hands', 'Camp of the Emu Foot', 'Cave of Fishes',
'Fertility Cave', and 'Glenisla Shelter'. In the Northern Grampians,
visit the Flat Rock Shelter and 'Cave of Ghosts'. Nearer Stawell
you will find 'Bunjil's Shelter'. Information Centres in Stawell,
Halls Gap and Ararat offer detailed brochures and information
on the park.
Stawell & Grampians Information Centre. (Open daily)
50-52 Western Highway. Stawell. 3380.
Ph: 03 5358 2314 Halls Gap Information Centre.
Grampians Rd. Halls Gap. Dunkeld Information Centre. (Southern Grampians)
Glenelg Hwy. Dunkeld. GETTING THERE: From Melbourne and the east
By road along the Western Hwy (8) to Ararat or Stawell and turn
off From Warrnambool and the south
take the Henty (from Portland), Glenelg or Hamilton Hwys to Dunkeld
and enter the park from the south. From Adelaide and the east
Along the Dukes and Western Hwys from Adelaide to Horsham or from
Mount Gambier, to Penola and take the Wimmera Highway to Horsham.
Enter the park from the west via Wartook. Light Plane
There are small airport at Stawell and Ararat.
Coach or Rail from Melbourne and Adelaide Coach Operators
V/Line: (Adelaide - Melbourne)
McCaffertys/Greyhound: (Interstate - Adelaide)
Firefly: Stawell - Melbourne - Stawell
Great Southern Railway to Ararat or Stawell
Head Office: 132 147
TOURS: Tour Operators:
Grampians Highlights Tour - Touring Downunder.
Full day tour 9.30am to 5.00pm.
Book at reception at your accommodation.
A suggested round trip is marked in orange on the touring map.
Select an area from below to automatically open it on this page.
Wilkins Tourist Maps produce a free map in this area. You can pick up a Grampians, map
from accommodation houses, attractions, businesses, and information centres in towns in this area.
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