10 Wonderful Experiences in the Grampians

There’s something about the Grampians that sticks with you. The title “10 Wonderful Experiences in the Grampians” sums up what this region offers best — rugged peaks, Aboriginal rock art, and wallabies that don’t mind sharing your breakfast spot. No matter how many times I lace up the boots, Gariwerd (the Traditional Owner name) still manages to surprise me.

This patch of western Victoria is one of those places where you can’t just tick it off in a day. You feel it — in the cool air off Lake Bellfield, the scent of eucalyptus after rain, and the sheer sense of space that no photo ever captures right.

Low-Key Adventures Await

The Grampians reward travellers who slow down. This isn’t a place for rushing through itineraries — it’s for rolling down the window, breathing in eucalyptus air, and following winding backroads.

From Lake Bellfield’s still waters to the dusty tracks of Mt Zero, low-key adventures wait around every bend.

If you’re chasing peace, boil the billy, kick off your boots, and let the bush soundtrack do the rest.

This is Victoria’s backyard gem — the kind of place where you can switch off and tune in.

The Thrill Of The Pinnacle Walk

Every local will tell you: if you do one thing in the Grampians National Park, make it the Pinnacles Hike. It’s not an easy stroll — expect a steep climb, a bit of sweat, and plenty of photo stops — but when you reach the top, that sweeping mountain view over Halls Gap and Lake Bellfield is pure magic.

Start from Wonderland Carpark and wind through Gate Of The East Wind, the Grand Canyon, and Silent Street — a natural hallway carved by centuries of rain and wind. It’s classic tree time: just you, the bush, and that earthy scent of wet rock and gum.

Cooling Off At Venus Baths

After a hot hike, Venus Baths is where the locals cool down. These shallow rock pools just outside Halls Gap are fed by Stoney Creek, a gentle trickle through polished sandstone. It’s an easy 2.3-kilometre loop walk — perfect for families, slow mornings, or a lazy post-lunch paddle. Take off the boots, dangle your feet and listen to the birds calling through the gums. But be careful — those smooth rocks can be slippery as soap.

Chasing Waterfalls: Mackenzie Falls

No list of Grampians things to do is complete without Mackenzie Falls — or Mikunung Wira, as the Djab Wurrung people call it. This thundering cascade flows all year, crashing into a mist-filled gorge that cools you down faster than a dip in Lake Fyans.

It’s a 260-step climb to the base, but if your knees protest, the Reed Lookout and Boroka Lookout both offer great views without the effort. Parks Victoria has done a great job of maintaining the paths, but pack water and tread carefully — those steps can get slippery.

Aboriginal Rock Art

The Grampians (or Gariwerd/Grampians National Park) has some of Victoria’s oldest and most sacred Aboriginal rock art. Painted by the Jardwadjali and Djab Wurrung people, these shelters tell stories of creation, hunting and connection to Country that go back tens of thousands of years.

Don’t miss Bunjil Shelter, where the creator spirit Bunjil watches over the land, or Billimina Shelter, a massive sandstone overhang in the south. For context and guidance, stop at Brambuk – The National Park and Cultural Centre in Halls Gap, where local guides will explain the meaning behind each site. Visit with respect — this isn’t just art, it’s living culture.

Meeting The Locals At Halls Gap Zoo

Just near the village, Halls Gap Zoo brings you face to face with Australia’s native wildlife and a few exotic neighbours. From kangaroos and koalas to meerkats and monkeys, it’s Victoria’s largest regional zoo and a real hit with families.

You can hand-feed wallabies, chat with the keepers and meet the cheekiest emu this side of Little Desert National Park. It’s also a great way to learn about native animals you might see later on the trails.

Driving The Silo Art Trail

Just north of the Grampians is one of Australia’s best outdoor galleries: the Silo Art Trail. Stretching 200km across Wimmera and Mallee country, it’s a series of giant murals painted on disused grain silos.

Artists from all over Australia — and a few internationals — have turned rural landscapes into massive canvases celebrating community, culture and the Aussie spirit. My tip? Pack the esky, fill up in Stawell or Horsham and take your time.

Trekking The Grampians Peaks Trail

The Grampians Peaks Trail is Victoria’s ultimate hiking challenge. 160km from Mount Zero to Dunkeld, it passes through ancient sandstone mountains, deep gorges and eucalypt-lined hiking trails. According to Parks Victoria, over 20,000 people walked sections of the trail in 2024 — and for good reason. It’s one of Australia’s great long walks. Choose your section: climb Mount Rosea, walk past Hollow Mountain Walk, or summit Mount William or Mount Sturgeon for stunning views.

Soaring High With Grampians Helicopters

If your knees say no to hiking, take to the skies. Grampians Helicopters do scenic flights over the ranges — a great way to see Mount William, Lake Bellfield and the valleys below.

I did this a few years ago, and seeing the sandstone ridges from above gave me a whole new appreciation for how big Gariwerd really is. Flights start from $120 per person, and if you’re planning a special occasion (proposal, anniversary, “why not Tuesday”), it’s a beauty.

The Sunset At Boroka Lookout

When it comes to lookouts, Boroka Lookout (also known as Boroka Viewpoint) is a classic. It’s an easy walk from the carpark and has a panoramic view over Halls Gap, Lake Bellfield and the surrounding eucalyptus forest.

Bring a picnic or just watch the sun go down behind Mount Difficult Range with a thermos in hand. If you prefer fewer crowds, Reed Viewpoint and Baroka Lookout (yes, locals mix them up) are just as good at dawn.

A Taste Of Local Life At Halls Gap Village

After long days on the trail, Halls Gap Village is the perfect place to unwind. Grab dinner at the Bunyip Hotel, do a cellar door tour at Seppelt Great Western or Grampians Estate, and finish the night at the Royal Mail Hotel in Dunkeld if you fancy fine dining with mountain views.

Accommodation options range from self-contained eco villas and bush lodges to the cosy Wonderland Cottages. Many are family-owned and offer local area pickup for tours or events — handy if you’ve had a few too many reds at Best’s Wines Great Western.

Going Off-Grid At Victoria Valley

After exploring, Halls Gap Village is where you recharge. Eat at local pubs, enjoy cellar doors like Grampians Estate, or finish the night with fine dining in Dunkeld.

Stay in eco-lodges, cabins, cottages or family-owned villas — many offering tour pickups and local advice.

Handy Travel Notes

If you’re planning a proper Grampians trip, a bit of forward thinking goes a long way.

Quick Essentials:

Nearest Town: Halls Gap (fuel, food, supplies)

Distance From Melbourne: ~260 km via Western Highway (3 hrs drive)

Park Management: Parks Victoria — check for closures or fire danger warnings

Best Time To Visit: March–May or September–November

Wildlife: kangaroos, emus, echidnas, brown snakes

Travel Tip: No mobile coverage past Stawell — download offline maps or grab one from Brambuk Cultural Centre before you head out.

Echoes from the Ranges: Notes from the Trail

For me, the Grampians have always been a living classroom — nature, history and culture embedded in the stone. Whether you’re hiking the Pinnacle, swimming at Venus Baths or flying with Grampians Helicopters, these experiences stay with you.

At Melbourne Coastal Tours, we often run Grampians tours as part of our Victorian tours. But even if you’re going solo, do it with respect — for Country, for the Traditional Owners and for yourself.