The Grampians, Australia

One of Victoria’s most prominent series of sprawling sandstone ridges, The Grampians, brims year-round with panoramic scenes that look like they’ve been ripped straight out of an adventure book. With native wildlife roaming around the plethora of hanging cliff faces, soaring peaks, plunging valleys and thunderous waterfalls, The Grampians is a literal visual feast.

Amidst the many hiking and bushwalking opportunities, there’s also rock climbing, fishing, and canoeing to hit the sweet spot for all you adventure junkies. Apart from mesmerising yourself with the jagged towers of ancient stone that make up the Grampians, there’s also the opportunity to learn about the landscape’s history at the aboriginal rock art and culture centre in Brambuk.

Want to see more of what’s on offer in Victoria? If you’ve got time to extend your itinerary in this part of south-west Australia, squeeze in some of these Top Day Trips from Melbourne.

Here’s what we cover in this guide:

• Best Time to Visit the Grampians

• 9 Best Things to do in the Grampians

• Travel Tips

Situated roughly 260 kilometres northwest of Melbourne, The Grampians sits about a 3-hour drive from the heart of Melbourne’s CBD.

If you’ve got a need for speed or you struggle to contain your road rage, it’s essential to keep in mind that Melbourne’s peak traffic times can set you back a couple of hours if you don’t plan accordingly. That being said, it’s best to set out on your journey in the early morning (before 7 am) to avoid the hassle of the bustling Melbournian highways.

Best Time to Visit The Grampians

Melbourne, in particular, is known for having four seasons in one day, so expect the unexpected.

I'd recommend visiting anywhere between November and April for the best chance of clear skies and warm weather. These are the spring and summer months when the days are longer, warmer, and drier.

If you’re an avid hiker and keen on trekking, January and February should be entirely out of the equation due to the sweltering heat of Victoria’s summer season.

Things to do in The Grampians

Boasting over 1600km of Jurassic-esque scenery, you could spend weeks exploring the vast wilderness. The Grampians’ northern and southern edges are enclosed with craggy, steep slopes that soar to a colossal height.

The eastern and western faces are framed by gentler slopes, providing an idyllic contrast against the fields of green down below and the rays of golden sunlight gleaming through the cobalt-blue skies. With ample viewpoints, mountains and activities on offer, it can be challenging to know where to start.

Here are some of the best things to do in the Grampians to help you make the most of your time in this immense, mountainous landscape.

Halls Gap

Serving as a base for the Grampians region, Halls Gap is a quaint little town that is a great place to kick off your adventure.

Halls Gap is lapped with many cute cafes and a small supermarket, so be sure to grab some essentials for your day or days of exploring.

You’ll also find Brambuk: The National Park and Cultural Centre here.

This is a significant centre devoted to sharing the history and culture of the Jardwadjali and Djab Wurrung Aboriginal communities of southwestern Victoria and information on the park in general. Come learn about Australia’s rich history!

Top Tip: The visitor centre is located in Halls Gap, so don’t forget to collect many maps if you’re avid in discovering some of the best hiking trails.

MacKenzie Falls

Distance: 2km (to the base), 1.9km (to the lookout)
Time (return): 1.5 hours (to the base), 40 minutes (to the attention)

The roaring cascades of MacKenzie Falls are widely popular and for good reason.

You can either walk to the base or the lookout of MacKenzie Falls, both of which boast impressive scenery.

If you’re visiting during the warmer months, it’s common to take a dip in MacKenzie Falls to refresh yourself and cool down after hiking in the scorching Aussie sun.

Boroka Lookout

Distance: 90 metres
Time: 3 minutes

Boroka Lookout is a stellar sunset spot with many views over Lake Bellfield and Mount William, amongst the shades of lush greenery and picture-perfect mountain ranges.

As one of the Grampians’ most popular sunrise spots, the walk to Boroka Lookout is unbelievably quick and easy. Because of its accessibility, this means you will more than likely be sharing the scenic views with a sizable number of people. One rock platform resembles a seat, making it a distinctive spot to observe the sun as it paints the sky with a myriad of vibrant colours.

Mount Sturgeon (Wurgarri)

Distance: 7km (return)
Time: 3 hours (return)

The trek to Mount Sturgeon spans a series of water crossings and rock scrambling graced with native wildlife, providing you with a somewhat authentic Aussie Bushwalking experience. As one of the Grampians’ more strenuous hikes, tackling can be pretty challenging if you’re not an adventure enthusiast. The phenomenal panoramic views make the hike well and truly worth it.

Mount Abrupt (Mud-Dadjug)

Distance: 6.5km (return)
Time: 3 hours (return)

Mount Abrupt is exactly how you’d picture it. Abrupt.

The towering mountain also attracts abundant wildlife and birdlife, and springtime brings fields of wild, untamed flowers that blossom over the vast landscape.

Mount Abrupt offers bushwalking and mountain climbing opportunities through verdant forested areas that are perfectly fit for enthusiasts of all ages.

The views from Mount Abrupt are hyped as some of the best in the whole Grampians range, offering sweeping views over the undulating Serra Range.

The Balconies

Distance: 2 km (return)
Time: 45 minutes (return)

The Balconies are speckled with rocks that jut out from the cliff face, overlooking the array of rolling mountain ranges and Victoria Valley down below.

As one of the most popular walks in the park due to its accessibility, The Balconies is a very popular spot at any time of the day. However, the atmosphere is animated at sunset when the influx of wavering tones and hues begin to fuse together and splatter the sky. Magic!

The Pinnacle

Distance: 2.1 km (Sundial and Wonderland)

Time: 1 hour (Sundial) and 1.5 hours (Wonderland)

The Pinnacle highlights the entire Grampians region, with rock platforms and sheer cliffs to soak up all the best views of the valleys glimmering below.

There are two options to reach the Pinnacle: you can either start from Sundial Carpark or Wonderland Carpark.

The walk from Sundial Carpark is easier. However, the Wonderland track provides scenic views, winds through bushland with iconic Aussie gum trees and protruding beautiful boulders. The Pinnacle is magnificent at any time of day, but if you want the views to yourself, it’s best to brave it with head torches to catch those vivacious rays of the morning light.

Mount William

Distance: 3.6 km (return)
Time: 1 hour 15 minutes (return)

Sitting at the tallest peak of the Grampians, Mount William hosts some of the most epic panoramic views of the jagged mountain range. The uphill climb is steady enough to get your heart pounding, and the track is paved, making for a reasonably smooth trek.

Grampians Travel Tips

1. Unlike other states in Australia, Victoria does not charge entrance fees to its National Parks. Meaning the Grampians is 100% FREE. Oh yeah! However, if you plan on camping there, you will be required to pay a small fee. There is one small free campsite located on the edge of the park close to Halls Gap. This is called the Plantation Campground.

2. Bring a reusable or filtered water bottle. The water in Victoria is safe for consumption so you can top up your bottles and you won’t have to waste money on buying plastic ones. High five to mother nature! Yeehaw!!

3. The easiest and most common way to travel to the Grampians is by car. From Melbourne’s CBD, it’ll take around 3 hours. Hiring one for your trip is well worth it if you don't have your own. This way, you have more freedom to explore the park. I’d avoid public transport at all costs.

4. Book a Grampians Tour. If comfort and convenience are key, a day tour might be the perfect option for you.

FAQS

Why is the Grampians famous?

The Grampians are famous for rugged sandstone mountains, serrated plateaus and forested gullies. Home to some of Australia’s most scenic roads, it looks like it’s been ripped straight out of an adventure book.

Are the Grampians worth visiting?

The Grampians National Park is known for its rocky outcrops, hiking trails, and abundant native wildlife. Sitting in Western Victoria, this is worth the visit if you’re interested in nature, hiking and Aussie animals.

Why is the Grampians a sacred site?

Known as Gariwerd for the Aboriginal people, the Grampians holds significance in the Dreamtime stories.

For more advice and information on all things Grampians, check out Visit Grampians. Are you visiting Victoria? Check out my comprehensive guide to The Great Ocean Road. Read more here.