Grampians Holiday Planner visitgrampians.com.au Your Grampians holiday CONTENTS Getting Here 4 The Grampians Way Touring Route 6 Our Parks will leave you breathless 8 Step into an ancient landscape 10 Top 10 walks 11 Explore the great outdoors 12 Your Eastern Grampians holiday 14 Your Northern Grampians holiday 26 Your Southern Grampians holiday 38 Great Southern Touring Route 45 Your Western Grampians holiday 46 Fishing 53 A journey of discovery awaits 54 Connect with an ancient culture 56 Sip & Savour The Grampians Way 58 Grampians Events 60 Family fun 62 Follow us: @thegrampians #grampians #grampianspeakstrail #grampiansway Published October 2019 by Grampians Tourism Board Inc www.grampianstourism.com.au Information in this booklet is correct at time of printing. Design by Artifishal Studios · artifishal.com.au Front cover image: Hollow Mountain by Kristel Chaplin Silent Street Photo by Rob Blackburn visitgrampians.com.au | 3 Travelling by car The Grampians region is well serviced by major highways, whether travellingAdelaide from Melbourne, Adelaide or the Great Ocean Road. Melbourne to Ararat — 2hrs Murray Bridge Melbourne to Halls Gap — 3hrs Melbourne to Hamilton, via Dunkeld — 3.5hrs Melbourne to Horsham — 3.5hrs Adelaide to Horsham — 4.5hrs GETTING HERE Adelaide to Hamilton — 5.5hrs Twelve Apostles to Dunkeld — 2hrs Travelling by train/bus/plane There are many public transport options operated by Public Transport Victoria including rail service to Ararat, A8 Adelaide, 2 hours Horsham and Stawell, connecting to Melbourne and Mildura, 3 hours Keith Adelaide. V/Line operate a coach service to Hamilton and both coach and tour operators can connect you to the region’s attractions. Visit ptv.vic.gov.au or Warracknabeal Bordertown Nhill call 1800 800 007. Tullamarine International Airport A8 A8 Melbourne and Avalon Airport are the nearest airports. Dimboola Mobility access A8 Murtoa Rupanyup St Arnaud An ‘all-terrain, single wheeled, TrailRider wheelchair’ Horsham is available to access a range of easy to medium level Natimuk Bendigo walking tracks. Parks Victoria can provide trained A8 NOORTHEH RRN TrailRider Sherpas or the trailrider can be hired WEWESTERE N Dadwells Bridge out by individuals. Advance bookings are required Naracoorte (usually 14 days). Phone Brambuk on 5361 4000. Wartook Stawell A8 Halls Gap Great Western GrG ampiansns PomonalPomonal Balmoral NatioNaattionaln lP Parrk Moyston Ararat Daylesford Visitor Information Penola Centres SOUTHEH RNRN EEAASTSTERN A8 Cavendish WillaurWillauraa Coleraine Ballarat Ararat: Horsham: Dunkeld M8 91 High Street 20 O’Callaghan Parade Hamilton Lake BolacBolac 1800 657 158 1800 633 218 Mount Gambier Melbourne Penshurst Dunkeld: Stawell: A1 Parker Street Pickers Market, A1 03 5577 2558 62 Longfield Street 1800 065 599 Geelonelongg Halls Gap: A1 A1 Grampians Road St Arnaud: A1 1800 065 599 4 Napier Street A1 Colac Portlandrtland Warrnambool Hamilton: 1800 014 455 Port Fairy Lonsdale Street 1800 807 056 Port Campbell 4 | #grampians visitgrampians.com.au | 5 TAKE A ROAD TRIP The Grampians Way Touring Route With another jaw-dropping view around every bend, the Grampians SOUTHERN ROUTE NORTHERN ROUTE is the ultimate destination for a road trip. Hit the road and circumnavigate the majestic Grampians National Park along the The southern region of the Grampians The northern Grampians possesses winding Grampians Way. The best way to explore the whole region! offers a blend of provincial charm and some of the world’s most spectacular natural attractions. From the gentle natural scenery and a rich heritage. Put together an itinerary that’s all your heritage centres. With farm-gate provedores, buzz of Dunkeld, Penshurst, Hamilton, Exploring the north, you will own, or follow one we’ve created for you. acclaimed fine dining, cosy cafes serving Coleraine and Cavendish to the find diversity from the stunning delicious local produce, and 5-star wineries to Hop on and off the Grampians Way route to magnificence of ancient volcanoes and Grampians National Park to the visit, there is something to delight every taste. experience all of the National Park’s majestic tranquil waterfalls, there is something quaint towns of St Arnaud, Stawell, wonders, plus find the best of what lies on Wide-open spaces, dramatic landscapes to be discovered at every turn. Great Western and Halls Gap. its doorstep. Discover the various towns and endless opportunities await you as you road trip around the spectacular southern and villages, with plenty to see, eat and do. extremity of the Great Dividing Range. Enjoy the Grampians unique culture, and explore ancient rock art sites, learn about For more details, maps and itineraries, go EASTERN ROUTE WESTERN ROUTE Aboriginal history and visit art galleries and to visitgrampians.com.au/plan-your-trip The eastern route provides a scenic In the regions West, you will discover START YOUR JOURNEY HERE drive with magnificent views along world renowned rock climbing sites, the eastern edge of the Grampians wide open spaces and delectable View these routes on your mobile and take them on the road National Park. A fantastic perspective food and wine offerings including Point your camera at the code, use a QR reader, of the jagged mountain ranges. historic olive groves. Pace yourself or use this link: Pausing along the way, explore the and discover the delights that https://www.visitgrampians.com.au/plan-your-trip/ local towns of Pomonal, Moyston, Horsham, Natimuk, Lower Norton and self-drive-itineraries/grampians-way-map Ararat, down to Lake Bolac. the Wartook Valley have to offer. 6 | #grampians www.visitgrampians.com.auvisitgrampians.com.au | 7 OUR PARKS WILL LEAVE YOU BREATHLESS View from Mt Sturgeon Photo by Julian Kingma GRAMPIANS NATIONAL PARK LITTLE DESERT NATIONAL PARK LANGI GHIRAN STATE PARK Renowned for rugged mountain ranges, rich cultural heritage and A desert only in name, this 132,000 hectare Granite peaks and sloping woodlands are a National Park stretches from the Wimmera breathtaking views, the Grampians National Park is one of Victoria’s most feature of the pleasant walk to the summit, River to the South Australian border and is with views of the surrounding plains in the popular destinations. Famous for its spectacular scenery, the 168,000 popular for experienced 4WD enthusiasts. east and the Grampians in the west. hectare park is also regarded for its ecological diversity and south-eastern MOUNT ARAPILES/ Australia’s highest concentration of Aboriginal rock art. When it comes to BLACK RANGE STATE PARK TOOAN STATE PARK walks and hikes, there are many to choose from for all capabilities, taking Central to the creation stories of the The rugged sandstone peaks of Mount Arapiles Jardwadjali people, this park contains a you to spectacular waterfalls, lookouts, rock formations and escarpments. are recognised world-wide as a premier rock significant Aboriginal cultural site, climbing destination. A sealed road to the Mudadgadjiin, and a diverse mix of flora Step out and explore the Grampians Silent Street and the Pinnacle via the summit takes visitors to a scenic viewing area. and fauna. National Park’s spectacular natural Wonderland Loop Hike, departing from MOUNT NAPIER STATE PARK beauty on foot. There are many walks Halls Gap. To the north, the Hollow MOUNT COLE STATE FOREST AND BYADUK CAVES and hikes on offer, from a gentle stroll Mountain Walk with it’s spectacular Mt Cole State Forest near Ararat is a walker’s to a full day adventure or the recently rock formations and views over the Home to Mount Napier, the youngest volcano paradise. The park has seasonal waterfalls, launched multi-day Grampians Peaks Wimmera, is worth the rock scrambling in Victoria, and the Byaduk Caves, considered shaded picnic grounds, campsites and and for awe-inspiring 360 degree Australia’s most extensive and accessible set 4WD tracks. Visit for the Beeripmo Walk. Trail. For shorter walks that are suitable of lava rock formations. for any age or fitness level try the Venus vistas from the southern Grampians, KANAWINKA GEOTRAIL Baths Loop Walk or the Balconies Mount Abrupt and Mount Sturgeon ST ARNAUD RANGE walks will get your blood pumping. Walk, both walks are easily accessible, NATIONAL PARK Victoria’s south-western volcanic plains are flat and less than 2 kilometres long. Call into a local Visitor Information part of Australia’s most extensive volcanic Experience the relatively untouched Box province. The Kanawinka Geotrail takes you For more of a challenge, hikers can Centre or Brambuk — The National Ironbark forest, and find a native ground on a journey including Mount Eccles and the spend up to half a day exploring Venus Park and Cultural Centre, Halls orchid. The Upper Teddington Reservoir is a nearby tumuli. For more information, call into Baths, Splitter Falls, the Grand Canyon, Gap, for more walk information. peaceful place for picnics and camping. the Penshurst Volcanoes Discovery Centre. 8 | #grampians visitgrampians.com.au | 9 TOP 10 WALKS ■ The Pinnacle the south. Keep an eye open for wedge-tailed eagles, nankeen kestrels and peregrine falcons. The iconic Pinnacle walk and lookout is one of For the best walking experience explore the highlights of the entire Grampians region. Mount Abrupt in Spring to early Summer. Hikers are rewarded with stunning views of Halls Gap and the Grampians’ many peaks. ■ Mt William There are three walking options to reach The At 1,167 metres, Mount William is the highest Pinnacle varying in distance and difficulty. point in the Grampians National Park and ■ Boronia Peak Trail provides great 360-degree views of mountain ranges and open plains. From the Mount Boronia Peak involves a rocky climb up to William carpark it takes a moderately fit the summit which rewards you with superb person approximately 45 mins to walk to the views towards Lake Fyans in the east and over summit. Despite the steep walk the great views the Fyans Valley.