Walk the Grampians Peaks Trail

Day 1: Melbourne / Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park

Your adventure begins in Melbourne (Narrm in the language of the Wurundjeri people, who are the traditional owners of the land on which Melbourne is now located). Meet your leaders and depart the Melbourne CBD at 8am for the drive to Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park, which spans the ancestral lands of the Djab Wurrung and Jadawadjali Peoples. Stretch your legs in Ballarat with a stop for morning tea and enjoy a picnic lunch prepared by your guides at Mt Zero before a relatively challenging walk along the Grampians Peaks Trail. While the walk itself if quite short, there are some challenging climbs as the trail heads through a rock amphitheatre to the summit of My Stapylton. However, the panoramic views over the Wimmera Plains make every step worthwhile. After checking in at your accommodation, enjoy a warm shower and mingle with your fellow walkers over some nibbles followed by dinner.

 

Accommodation

• Hotel (1 night)

Included Activities

• Grampians NP – Mount Zero to Mount Stapylton & Coppermine track

Meals Included

• Lunch
• Dinner

Special Information

It’s very important that you are on time for the group meeting this morning, as we head out towards the Grampians right away. Find more details in the ‘Joining Point Instructions’ section of your Essential Trip Information. Due to our early departure, please ensure you have had breakfast before joining the tour today. As we walk on the first afternoon, please wear your hiking clothes on the bus and bring your day pack ready to go. Today’s walk, while short, is rated Grade 4 (challenging) due to the natural rock formations that you will be walking over. The total walking distance today is approximately 6km.

Day 2: Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park

Don’t be put off by the name of today’s destination – Mt Difficult. While getting to the top does require a heart pumping climb, you’ll have time to stop for a rest near picturesque seasonal waterfalls before you tackle the ascent. The views of the Pyrenees, Black Range, and Wartook basin make up for the hard trek to the top. Near Werdug, you’ll have time to admire Lake Wartook before the scenic drive around the lake and the trip back to Halls Gap and your comfortable hotel.

 

Accommodation

• Hotel (1 night)

Included Activities

• Grampians NP – Roses Gap to Mount Difficult & Lake Wartook track

Meals Included

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner

Special Information

Today’s walk is a Grade 4 (challenging) walk of approximately 19km.

Day 3: Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park

Today you’ll get to experience some of the Grampians’ most iconic spots. Your walk begins at Halls Gap with a climb up and out of the township, with highlights including Venus Baths, Elephant Hide and Australia’s very own Grand Canyon. Make your way to the top of The Pinnacle to take in the view over Halls Gap then continue along the easier walk to Sundial Peak and another excellent Halls Gap vantage point. From here, you’ll head back towards Sundial to meet the bus at the Rosea carpark. A trip to MacKenzie Falls to take in its refreshing beauty and a stop at the famous Reed Lookout caps off a great day of hiking.

 

Accommodation

• Hotel (1 night)

Included Activities

• Grampians NP – Grand Canyon, The Pinnacle & Sundial Peak walks
• Grampians NP – MacKenzie Falls (Mikunung wira)
• Grampians NP – Reed Lookout

Meals Included

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner

Special Information

Today’s walks total approximately 12km and range from Grade 3 (moderate) to Grade 4 (challenging), including some very steep, ladder-like stairs, hard & rocky areas.

Day 4: Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park

Get set for the climb to Mt Duwul (Mt William), the highest point in Grampians National Park. At 1,167 metres, you’ll feel on top of the world as you take in the 360-degree views of mountain ranges and open plains from the summit. While the mountain is sizeable, the climb from the carpark to the peak is steady and not too challenging. From here, you’ll head to Boundary Gap which leads across the magnificent Major Mitchell Plateau and into Durd Durd. Your hike ends at Jimmy Creek Road near your accommodation which means a soothing hot shower, delicious dinner and a cosy night’s sleep are just a few steps away.

 

Accommodation

• Hotel (1 night)

Included Activities

• Grampians NP – Mount William (Duwul) Summit walk
• Grampians NP – Jimmy Creek to Wannon walk

Meals Included

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner

Special Information

We walk for a total of approximately 20km today on trails rated as Grade 4 (challenging) due to the inclines, rocky scrambles and staircase climbs throughout the route.

Day 5: Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park

After a hearty breakfast, return to Jimmy Creek Road for a climb up to a ridgeline with views into Yarram and beyond. It’s a long day of walking today but the views and the scenery make it all worthwhile. This is the most remote part of the Grampians Peaks Trail, so take a deep breath and let yourself be inspired by the natural beauty around you. From here, you’ll descend through the Hidden Valley and follow a ridge line with views west of the Sierrra Range until the trail meets up with the Grampians Tourist Drive for an easy walk back to your hotel.

 

Accommodation

• Hotel (1 night)

Included Activities

• Grampians NP – Boundary Gap to Jimmy Creek walk

Meals Included

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner

Special Information

Today’s walk is approximately 18km on Grade 4 (challenging) trails.

Day 6: Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park / Melbourne

It’s time to lace up your hiking boots for the final walk of the trip, a hike to the peak of Mt Sturgeon for one last look at the mountains which make up the Grampians. From here, it’s an easy drive to Dunkeld where you’ll have time to buy some lunch if you wish and take a look around town. On your arrival back in Melbourne in the late afternoon, your Grampians walking trip will come to an end.

Included Activities

• Grampians NP – Mount Sturgeon (Wurgarri) walk

Meals Included

• Breakfast

Special Information

The Mount Sturgeon (Wurgarri) walk is rated Grade 4 (challenging) as it can involve water crossings, slippery track surfaces and rock hopping. Total walking distance is 6.4km today. Today’s total driving time is approximately 3 hours. Please note that no accommodation is provided in Melbourne today.