The ultimate travel guide to the Grampians

Discovering the Grampians: location, access and best times to visit

Where are the Grampians?

When people talk about the Grampians, they are commonly referring to Grampians National Park, which is about 260km north-west of Melbourne. It is Victoria's fourth largest national park and divided into Northern, Southern, and Central Grampians. Visitors typically explore and often camp in one of these areas on a single visit. You'll find some of Victoria's best free and budget friendly camping spots in this region.

The broader Grampians region extends from the South Australian border in the west to Bacchus Marsh in the east, and includes Wombat State Forest, Brisbane Ranges, Enfield State Forest, Mt Cole State Forest, Little Desert and the Big Desert, as well as Grampians National Park.

How do you get to the Grampians?

Grampians National Park is about three hours' drive north-west of Melbourne. The best way to reach the Grampians is by car, either your own or a private tour company, 

From Melbourne you can begin your Grampians adventure from either the east (via Stawell or Halls Gap) or south (from Dunkeld). If travelling from Victoria's north or west, you can also approach the Grampians via Horsham.

Ararat is the nearest V/Line train station to the Grampians, while the towns of Horsham and Stawell can be reached via the Overland train service to Adelaide. V/Line coach services are available from Ararat Station to Halls Gap, Stawell, Dunkeld and Horsham (as well as other towns in the region). 

V/Line paper or eTickets (not myki) are required for travel to Ararat by V/Line train, as well as on V/Line coaches in the region. 

When is the best time to visit the Grampians?

The shoulder seasons of autumn and spring are the mildest times to visit the Grampians, with weather that is cool and relatively stable. 

However, some hikers swear by visiting the Grampians in winter. As it is the off season, the hiking trails and lookouts are much quieter and certain wildflowers start blooming from as early as mid July. If travelling in winter be prepared for cold temperatures (average daily maximum temperatures can be as low as 10 degrees in some parts) as well as for rain and possibly snow. Some trails or 4WD tracks may also close during the winter months.

Summer is a popular time to visit but beware it can be hot and attractions and eateries are often busier. It's important to have a bushfire plan in place when visiting the Grampians, especially during summer. 

Explore the Grampians: best places to visit and things to do

Halls Gap Zoo

4061 Ararat-Halls Gap Rd, Halls Gap

Visit more than 120 species of animals from all over the world at Halls Gap Zoo, located just a few minutes' drive from the town of Halls Gap. You can have animal encounters with a red panda, quokka, white rhino, otter, giraffe, meerkat, dingo, cheetah, and more. Your visit helps sponsor animal conservation such as the zoo's wildly successful spotted-tailed quoll breeding program. Buy lunch from the cafe or bring your own food to cook on the barbecues around the zoo.

Grampians Adventure Golf

475-481 Grampians Rd, Halls Gap

Enjoy an 18-hole mini golf course set among the beautiful bushland at Grampians Adventure Golf. Mini waterfalls and tunnels will challenge even the best players. There's also a lovely cafe onsite to satisfy your appetite after your game (plus a selection of locally-grown and -produced wines). Listen out for the cocktatoos and kookaburras and keep your eyes open for the chance to spot local emus and kangaroos.

Brambuk: The National Park and Cultural Centre

277 Grampians Rd, Halls Gap

Visit Brambuk near Halls Gap before exploring the Grampians National Park for the latest information on trail conditions and closures. Parks Victoria staff can give you guidance on waterfalls, lookouts, trails and ancient Aboriginal rock art shelters at the National Park Information Centre. Follow the lovely walks through the Brambuk wetlands and native gardens to the Cultural Centre, where you can learn about the Jadawadjali and Djab Wurrung people's connection to Gariwerd (the Grampians).

J Ward

1 Girdlestone St, Ararat 

J Ward and the nearby Aradale Lunatic Asylum are some of Victoria's best historical experiences to explore. J Ward was originally the Ararat County Gaol for goldfields offenders, but later served as a maximum-security psychiatric facility to house the criminally insane. The stories you will hear by booking into a guided tour around this imposing bluestone gaol are chilling.

Ararat Gallery TAMA

82 Vincent Street, Ararat

Ararat Gallery TAMA (Textile Art Museum Australia) is well worth a visit thanks to its unique commitment to textile and fibre art, including tapestries, quilts, baskets and embroideries. It's one of regional Victoria's best art galleries. The gallery is wheelchair accessible and features a cafe and gift shop stocked with locally-made handicrafts and artworks. 

The Grampians walks & hikes: the best trails to explore

Venus Baths Loop Walk

You can walk from Halls Gap to the iconic Venus Baths: naturally-formed rockpools filled with fresh water and great for bathing, swimming and sunbathing. It's a 2.3km track from the Halls Gap town centre, crossing over Stony Creek at the small bridge to the Botanic Gardens and following the river up to Venus Baths.

The Pinnacle Walk & Lookout

The iconic Pinnacle walk is one of the Grampians region's most popular. From the top, you'll have views over Halls Gap and the Grampian mountains. You can choose from three walking routes. The easiest is from Sundial carpark and involves some water crossings and rock hopping. More challenging is the route from Wonderland carpark, which ascends via the 'Grand Canyon' of the Grampians and includes steep, rocky areas. If you're up for a 5-hour return walk, start from the rear of the Halls Gap Caravan Park and follow the track to Venus Baths, then Splitters Falls, then Wonderland carpark where you can join the second route.

Boronia Peak Trail

Boronia Peak is an underrated walk in the Grampians. This 6.6km return trail from Tandara Road carpark will reward your final rocky climb to the summit with epic views over Lake Fyans and Fyans Valley. You can also follow a path to Brambuk Cultural Centre via part of the Fyans Creek Loop, which offers plenty of wildlife sightings.

Grampians Peaks Trail

The Grampians Peaks Trail is a 160km world-class hiking trail from the Northern Grampians via Halls Gap to Dunkeld. The multiday hike takes 13 days/12 nights, with 12 unique overnight campsites along the way. You'll start at Mount Zero near Horsham, then hike south over the Grampians mountains. The final ascent is up Mount Sturgeon before you finish at the Dunkeld trail near near the lovely Royal Mail Hotel.

Mount Abrupt Walk

Mount Abrupt (Mud-Dadjug) is a steep track up through bushland and sandstone rocks to a high summit with views over Dunkeld and the Serra Range. Wedge-tailed eagles, peregrine falcons and nankeen kestrels all fly in the area, so keep your eyes to the sky at the peak.

Mount Rosea Walk

Mount Rosea (Bugiga Mirgani) is a long 9km return walk from Rosea campground, with parts of the trail following a section of the acclaimed Grampians Peaks Trail. It's a strenuous trek up messmate forest, sandstone outcrops and the Gate of the East Wind rock formation, but you'll earn views of the Serra and Mount William Ranges.

Discover the Grampians’ best waterfalls

Silverband Falls

Silverband Falls near Halls Gap offers easy-access views to a clear, fresh waterfall running down a mountain and into a creek. The walk to the falls is only 700 metres from the Silverbank carpark. Enjoy the shady and ferny forest along the way, with plenty of birds, frogs and kangaroos - and, in the spring, wildflowers.

MacKenzie Falls

MacKenzie Falls is one of Victoria's largest waterfalls and flows year-round over cliffs into a deep pool. It's a 40-minute drive from Halls Gap on the Mount Victory Road. You can choose between an easy, wheelchair-accessible 1.9km return path to the Bluff Lookout or a steep 2km return trail to the falls' base that requires descending (and climing) 260 narrow steps.

You can also access the 500-metre Broken Falls Walk to view the upper sections of MacKenzie Falls, or the 7km return MacKenzie River Walk along the river through eucalypt forest with water crossings and rock scrambling.

Splitters Falls

You can walk to Splitters Falls right from the Halls Gap town centre. Follow the path along Stony Creek to Venus Baths, then take the stairs to Splitters Falls. You can alternatively drive up to the Wonderland carpark and follow the river downstream to the falls. Note that Splitters Falls may dry up over summer.

Kalymna Falls

Kalymna Falls near Dunkeld is best accessed from the picnic area near Kalymna campground. Walk west through the gate and following the management vehicle track uphill through the stringybark forest to the signposted Kalymna Falls Track. Here you'll descend through gorgeous tea trees to the falls' base. The walk is 3.2km return and best tackled during winter or after rain, when the falls are likely to be running.

The best places to eat and stay in the Grampians

Halls Gap: the heart of the Grampians

Halls Gap is arguably the best base for exploring the Grampians National Park. It's a short drive from Halls Gap to many popular walks, lookouts, lakes and waterfalls. It also offers plenty of food and accommodation options, from luxe to budget.

Eat

Visit the Paper Scissors Rock Brew Co craft brewery for award-winning beer and regular live music, the family-friendly bistro Halls Gap Hotel with a massive verandah in summer and toasty fireplaces in winter, or the delicious Flame Brothers smokehouse restaurant.

Stay

The Halls Gap Lakeside Tourist Park offers cabins, glamping tents and a caravan park, while the Grampians Pioneer Cottages in nearby Pomonal make for a beautiful getaway for 6-8 friends or family members.

Dunkeld: Southern gateway

Dunkeld is a small village at the southern end of the Grampians, allowing for access to the southern walks, falls and mountains. The famous Grampians Peaks Trail also ends in Dunkeld.

Eat

Visit Parker Street, Dunkeld's charming main street, to browse quaint shops and local produce. Dunkeld Old Bakery (est. 1887) offers tourists and locals alike fresh croissants, baguettes, pies, sausage rolls and everything else a quality bakery should stock. Izzy's Cafe is another much-loved eatery, serving generously filled rolls, wraps and paninis, plus Euro-style pizzas, burgers and local fish in delightfully kitschy surrounds. 

Stay

Stay and dine at the stately Royal Mail Hotel, the destination in the Grampians for any self-respecting gourmand. The Royal Mail Hotel has won numerous awards for both its menu and wine list and has cemented itself as the epitome of what regional gastropubs can achieve. No need to find transport back to your lodgings after your meal either, with the Royal Mail offering a number of stylish, modern rooms.

Near Dunkeld there's also Tiny Jim: a gorgeous tiny house that sleeps up to four people.

Ararat: gateway to the Eastern Grampians

Ararat is nestled in the foothills of the eastern Grampians near the Gampians Wine Region, which is known for its high-quality vineyards. You can also catch a film at the art deco Astor Cinema or fish for trout at Green Hill Lake. Gum San, Ararat's Chinese heritage centre, is also worth a visit to learn more about the town's history and the Chinese miners who first found gold there.

Eat

For food in Ararat, try Blue Duck Hotel, Foragers Cafe or Silicians Bar & Restaurant. Oak and Hound Wine Bar is the sort of place you can relax in a leather armchair with some charcuterie and a glass of the local best, while wineries like Grampians Estate and Seppelt (who offer underground wine tours) are only a short drive from Ararat too.

Stay

There are plenty of motels, caravan parks and camping sites around Ararat. If you'd like something a little more upmarket, check out Links Retreat (up to 9 guests) or Crabapple Cottage (up to 6 guests). 

Horsham: northern base for the Grampians

Located on the Wimmera River, Horsham is the perfect base for exploring the northern regions of the Grampians, as well as the Wimmera region. Stroll through the botanic gardens, hire a kayak, pedal boat or stand-up paddleboard, or visit Horsham's massive silo artwork - one of many that forms the Silo Art Trail. If you're heading into the Grampians from Horsham make sure to stop at Dadswell Bridge for a photo with the giant koala!

Eat

Baa 3400 at Horsham International Hotel offers a taste of luxury in the regions using local meat and produce wherever possible. Other culinary highlights in Horsham include the cute Cafe Chickpea, the very stylish Farmhouse Providore and Cafe or Conway Pies - a family-owned business selling more than 30 varieties of savoury pies (plus sweet pies, pasties and more).

Stay

For a deluxe camping experience visit Yarriambiance. This unusual campground has several different cabin sites ranging from tiny houses on trucks to full-sized cabins, and creekside camping. There are several other motel, tiny house and cabin-style accommodation options in the Horsham region too.