Victoria’s epic 160-kilometre Grampians Peaks Trail is rolling out an improved welcome to local and international visitors, with upgraded access points on the way, including a new trailhead in the centre of the Halls Gap (Budja Budja) township.

Halls Gap sits at the heart of the Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park. With a bustling community and commercial strip, the township is the launching point for thousands of visitors to explore the central section of the stunning national park, including the peaks trail.

The new trailhead here will better connect the town to the mountains with a new track and boardwalk, gathering spaces, rock seating and signage. The final designs are currently being shared with the local community.

Above: concept illustration of the type of features the trailhead will include.

Opened in November 2021, the Grampians Peaks Trail is a unique natural and cultural hiking experience that showcases the stunning Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park. With day hikes, multi-day trips and the full 13-day journey available, hikers can experience a variety of the park’s dramatic rocky peaks and outcrops, valleys, waterfalls, forests and lakes. 

Hikers have booked more than 15,000 nights along the trail since it opened.

Since the trail opened, three new trailheads have been created at Gar in the north and Griffin and Redman Road further south, a new car park added at Jimmy Creek campground, and upgraded walking paths and signage delivered in Halls Gap. In addition to the new Halls Gap trailhead, new signage will be placed along access points, including Mt Zero in the north, and the southern Grampians town of Dunkeld.

When complete, the upgraded trailheads right along the trail will provide hikers with increased flexibility, information and facilities to access the trail and enjoy it in more ways than ever before.

Barengi Gadjin Land Council, Gunditj Mirring Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation, and Eastern Maar Aboriginal Corporation are working in partnership with Parks Victoria to guide the trailhead upgrades and visitor information about the Gariwerd cultural landscape.  

Parks Victoria and Northern Grampians Shire Council are working in partnership to deliver the improvements in Halls Gap.

Subject to onground and construction industry conditions, the Halls Gap/Budja Budja trailhead upgrades will take place in stages from late 2023 until mid-2024. Find out more. 

The upgrades are part of a $5 million investment to provide more options to access the world-class hiking experience and support regional tourism and the local economy.

Find out more about experiencing the Grampians Peaks Trail 

Below: concept illustration of the aerial view of the trailhead.