The Pinnacle walks

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The Pinnacle walks

Grampians National Park

From the street, The Pinnacle appears unnervingly high and potentially difficult to walk. The good news is that it is not, and the views from the lookout make every bit of effort worthwhile. It is one of the very best vantage points in the Grampians National Park for terrific scenic views over a vast expanse of western Victoria.
There are a number of walking options to reach The Pinnacle, varying in distance and difficulty. The easiest route to The Pinnacle departs from the Sundial carpark within the national park and ascends to The Pinnacle via Devils Gap. This is the best route to use if young children or unconfident walkers are part of your walking group. The 4.2km walk will take one and a half to two hours for the return trip. It does include some water crossings and rock-hopping, so good sturdy shoes are essential.

A more challenging walk departs from the aptly named Wonderland carpark and ascends via the impressive Grand Canyon. It does not resemble the American canyon of the same name but is equally impressive with its unique Australian rock formations, albeit on a smaller scale! The walk continues through the Silent Street before rising up to The Pinnacle.

For the really adventurous, you can walk to The Pinnacle from the base of the mountains, starting at the Halls Gap caravan park. This extended walk will take around five hours return so is suitable for fit and experienced walkers.

All these walks offer a variety of incredible rock formations to see and negotiate, as well as lush vegetation that has recovered from bushfires with fresh spurts of new growth. In springtime, wildflowers burst into life with their brilliant bright colours. With an abundance of wildlife living in the park, your walk may also include glimpses of koalas, kangaroos, snakes, skinks and maybe even an echidna or two.

Whichever way you get there, the view from The Pinnacle lookout will astound you. While you get your breath back after your ascent, you will be able to see Halls Gap far below you, as well as Lake Bellfield. Plus you will get a close-up look at the irregular and fascinating rock formations for which the Grampians are so well-known.

The Pinnacle walks

 
A couple in their thirties take in the view along Dead Timber Track.

Hiking and bushwalking

Witness breathtaking natural scenery at some of Victoria’s most iconic places when you lace up your boots and take to a hiking trail.
Father and son bird watching on boardwalk

Bird watching

From bushland to wetlands and everything in between, parks provide habitat to an abundance of common and rare bird species. Go for a wander and see how many you can spot.
A couple looks on at a Wombat on Wilsons Promontory National Park,

Wildlife viewing

Get up close and personal with some of Australia's shy native wildlife or look up to spot tree-dwelling mammals and flocks of colourful birds,

Brambuk The National Park and Culture Centre

Brambuk The National Park and Cultural Centre in Halls Gap began with the building of the Brambuk Cultural Centre in 1989 to acknowledge, protect and share the cultures of the Jadawadjali and Djab Wurrung Peoples.

 

How to get there

The Pinnacle walks

Grampians National Park is located in Western Victoria, a three-hour (260km) drive from Melbourne and a five-hour (460km) drive from Adelaide. The central Grampians is easily accessed from the villages of Halls Gap and Wartook and is a scenic day trip from the regional towns of Hamilton, Horsham, Stawell and Ararat. It is also a key destination on the internationally renowned Great Southern Touring Route.

Need to know

The Pinnacle walks

Change of Conditions

Nature being nature, sometimes conditions can change at short notice. It’s a good idea to check this page ahead of your visit for any updates.

  • Grampians National Park

    Mountain Lion (Designated rock-climbing and bouldering area) – Temporary exclusion

    Mountain Lion (Designated rock-climbing and bouldering area) – Temporary exclusion
     
    Significant Aboriginal cultural values have recently been rediscovered at the Mountain Lion designated rock-climbing and bouldering area.

    While Parks Victoria and Gariwerd Traditional Owners determine a longer-term management response, and out of respect for this significant cultural landscape, visitors are requested to not access this area.

    The Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006 protects Aboriginal cultural heritage and significant financial penalties apply for harm caused by individuals or corporate bodies.

    For more information please visit the FAQ Update at the Rock Climbing in Gariwerd link below.

    Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park - Roads Update 12.04.2024

    The Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park has several roads temporarily closed for repair works, upgrades, and recent fire impacts. Please be aware the movement of visitors in these parts of the National Park is restricted.

    Road Closures
    Mitchell Road is closed between Redman Road and Mt William Picnic Ground Road
    .

    Old Mill Road (from Smiths Mill Campground to Mt Difficult Road) and Rose Creek Road (from Mt Victory Road to Old Mill Road) will be closed for Planned Burn Prep from March 28 to April 15.

    Seasonal Closures
    Launders and Sanders Tracks are closed.

    Moora Moora Track is partially closed in the southern section, from Homestead Track intersection to Glenelg River Road.

    Grampians Peaks Trail – Trailhead Access
    Road access (Griffin Track) to the Griffin Trailhead for the Grampians Peaks Trail is open to 4WD vehicles only. Walkers can access the GPT on foot via the Griffin Track from the Grampians Tourist Road.
    Redman Road Trailhead carpark is closed. The nearest site for parking is at Borough Huts Campground.

    Please see the latest road report attachment for full road and track details at the bottom of this page.

    Attachments: Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park - Road Report - 12.04.2024 (275KB)

    Watchtower Designated Climbing Area – Access Trail – Minor Improvement Works

    The popular Watchtower designated climbing area located near Halls Gap in the Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park is undergoing minor trail improvement works.
     
    The access trail to the Watchtower will be temporarily closed from Monday April 15 to Friday April 19, 2024. 

    Temporary Closure Notification – Planned Burn – Oslers Track

    FFMVIC have scheduled ignition for the following Planned Burn within Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park 

    Oslers Track (GR-WIM-HGP-0042)

    Start Date: Wednesday 17 April until advised
     
    Forest Fire Management Victoria advise that the planned burn will be carried out, weather and fuel moisture conditions permitting

    Burn Name: Oslers Track
    Burn No: GR-WIM-HGP-0042
     
    Temporary closures:
    Oslers Track
    Oslers Track Bush Camps
     
     
    Visit & Sign Up: Sign up to Planned Burns Victoria www.vic.gov.au/plannedburns  Set up automated notifications about upcoming planned burns on public land near you. There is no charge to sign up to receive text messages. 

    Download: The Vic Emergency App. Set up a watch zone and choose to be notified about planned burns in the ‘alerts’ settings
     
    Call: The Vic Emergency Hotline on 1800 226 226 and request an interpreter or assistance for hearing difficulties via the National Relay Service. IN AN EMERGENCY CALL 000
     
    Email: For specialist advice about planned burns in the Wimmera District you can contact Horsham FFMVic Office at wimmera.fuelmanagement@delwp.vic.gov.au or phone the office on (03) 8508 1222.

    For Information about park closures and campground bookings within Grampians National Park:
     
    Visit Brambuk the National Park and Cultural Centre – 277 Grampians Road Halls Gap, Ph 8427 2058 or for bookings and cancellations advice contact the Parks Victoria Information Centre Ph 13 1963 or email info@parks.vic.gov.au
     
    You may see or smell smoke in the vicinity of the burn. For advice on how this may impact your health, visit www.epa.vic.gov.au/smoke
     
     

  • Notices Affecting Multiple Sites

    Planned Burn closures - Grampians Peaks Trail (S3 Cassidy Gap - Mud dadjug)

    FFMVIC have scheduled ignition for the following Planned Burn within Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park 
     
    Cassidy Gap – GR_WIM_CAV_00071
    Ignition scheduled from Saturday April 20th - Sunday April 21st  and possibly into Monday April 22nd 2024. 
    Closures could remain in place throughout the following week.
    This burn is located 3km north of Dunkeld.
     
     
     
    For visitor safety and to allow FFMVIC staff to prepare and deliver the burn, temporary closures along the Grampians Peaks Trail and some day walks will be in place.  These will re-open when the burn, or specific areas of the burn are declared safe:
     
    Closures from 5:30pm Friday April 19th, throughout ignition (Saturday April 20th until at least Monday April 22nd )
     
    ·      Grampians Peaks Trail (Section S3) north and south bound hiking between Cassidy Gap Rd Trailhead, over Signal Peak to Dunkeld Reservoir Road, (including Mud-dadjug Hike in campground).
    ·      Mt Abrupt day walk  
    ·      Signal Peak day walk
    ·      Mann’s Road - closed east of the intersection with Victoria Valley Rd
    ·      Serra Range Fireline - closed at the intersection of Vic Valley Road and Cassidy Gap Road
    ·      Djardji-Djawara Hike in Campground will remain open, though depending on conditions, smoke may impact the area.
     
    How will this burn impact my Grampians Peaks Trail experience?
    There are no walking track detours around the burn unit and closures along section S3 of Grampians Peaks Trail (Cassidy Gap to Piccaninny). This means a change to your GPT itinerary.
    There are multiple ways to re-plan your visit and Parks Victoria staff will help you to work through the best option.
     
    Day visitor access remains open to:
    ·      Piccaninny (Baingugg) day walk from Vic Valley Trailhead and Piccaninny Car park
    ·      Mt Sturgeon (Wurgarri) from Mt Sturgeon Car Park and Dunkeld
     
     
    Stay informed about this Autumns planned burns schedule:
     
    Visit & Sign Up: Sign up to Planned Burns Victoria www.vic.gov.au/plannedburns  Set up automated notifications about upcoming planned burns on public land near you. There is no charge to sign up to receive text messages. 
    Download: The Vic Emergency App. Set up a watch zone and choose to be notified about planned burns in the ‘alerts’ settings
     
    Call: The Vic Emergency Hotline on 1800 226 226 and request an interpreter or assistance for hearing difficulties via the National Relay Service. IN AN EMERGENCY CALL 000
     
    Email: For specialist advice about planned burns in the Wimmera District you can contact Horsham FFMVic Office at wimmera.fuelmanagement@delwp.vic.gov.au or phone the office on (03) 8508 1222.
    For Information about park closures and campground bookings within Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park:
     
    Visit Brambuk the National Park and Cultural Centre – 277 Grampians Road Halls Gap, Ph 8427 2058 or for bookings and cancellations advice contact the Parks Victoria Information Centre Ph 13 1963 or email info@parks.vic.gov.au
     
    You may see or smell smoke in the vicinity of the burn. For advice on how this may impact your health, visit www.epa.vic.gov.au/smoke

    Grampians Autumn Planned Burning Program

    Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park Update


    The Autumn planned burn program has commenced.
     
    Forest Fire Management Victoria (FFMVic) have commenced the Autumn Planned Burning Program in Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park and surrounding reserves.
     
    These planned burns have been nominated and approved as part of the FFMVic three-year Joint Fuel Management Program for the Wimmera Fire District. Each burn has been designated to a year and season, though this may change depending on burn objectives and seasonal conditions. You can view the three-year plan at https://www.ffm.vic.gov.au/bushfire-fuel-and-risk-management/joint-fuel-management-program
     
    ·      The map attached, outlines the burns programmed for this year. Detailing the exact date and time of ignition can be difficult and the final decision to proceed may only be made on the day of the burn - once resources, weather conditions and local fuel moisture levels are deemed suitable. Once a burn is scheduled for ignition, FFMVIC will send out regular notifications.
     
    ·      Some of the planned burns this Autumn may involve the temporary closure of visitor sites, roads and campgrounds within Grampians Gariwerd National Park and other reserves. This may include detours or closures of hike in campgrounds along the Grampians Peaks Trail, and other vehicle-based campgrounds.
    ·      Closures will be enforced for the duration of ignition and may remain in place for some days.  Visitor sites will re-open once the burn is declared safe.
    ·      We recommend that you seek information and stay informed about the status of the planned burns scheduled near you.
     
    Stay informed about this Autumns planned burns schedule:
     
    Visit & Sign Up:
    Sign up to Planned Burns Victoria to set up automated notifications about upcoming planned burns on public land near you. There is no charge to sign up to receive text messages. 
    Sign up via Planned Burns Victoria at www.vic.gov.au/plannedburns 
     
    Download: the VicEmergency App 
    Set up a watch zone and choose to be notified about planned burns in the ‘alerts’ settings
     
    Call: the VicEmergency Hotline on 1800 226 226 and request an interpreter or assistance for hearing difficulties via the National Relay Service
     
    Email: For specialist advice about planned burns in the Wimmera District you can contact Horsham FFMVic Office at wimmera.fuelmanagement@delwp.vic.gov.au or phone the office on (03) 8508 1222.
     
    For Information about park closures and campground bookings within Grampians National Park:
     
    Visit Brambuk the National Park and Cultural Centre – 277 Grampians Road Halls Gap, Ph 8427 2058
    or for bookings and cancellations advice contact the Parks Victoria Information Centre Ph 13 1963 or email info@parks.vic.gov.au

    Attachments: Grampians (Gariwerd) Planned Burns 2024 Map (17,972KB)

  • Plantation Campground (MT DIFFICULT STATE FOREST, Mount Difficult Plantation Campground)

    Plantation Campground Re-opened

    Plantation Campground has now re-opened after completion of the Oslers Track Planned Burn.

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