The ultimate travel guide to the Grampians

The best activities in the Grampians

Halls Gap Zoo

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, wombat, white rhino, otter, giraffe, meerkat, dingo, cheetah, and more. Your visit helps sponsor animal conservation such as the zoo's wildly successful spot-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

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

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

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

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 best walks and hikes in the Grampians

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 trailnear 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.

The best waterfalls in the Grampians

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

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.

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.

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

Dunkeld

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.

Visit Parker Street, Dunkeld's charming main street, to browse quaint shops and local produce. Dunkeld Old Bakery offers tourists and locals alike fresh croissants, baguettes, pies, sausage rolls and everything else a quality bakery should stock.

Stay and dine at the stately Royal Mail Hotel, which offers hotel rooms and apartments plus two onsite restaurants. Near Dunkeld there's also Tiny Jim: a gorgeous tiny house that sleeps 2-4 people.

Ararat

Ararat is nestled in the foothills of the eastern Grampians near the Grampians Wine Region, which is known for its high-quality vineyards.

Catch a film at the Astor Cinema, fish for trout in Green Hill Lake, explore the Mount Cole State Forest, or relax in the Alexandra Gardens Ararat park. One Tree Hill offers sweeping views of the township. If you're there in autumn, join the Lake Bolac Eel Festival to celebrate local Indigenous culture.

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). For food, try Blue Duck Hotel, Foragers Cafe or Silicians Bar & Restaurant.