Zumsteins Historic Area

A couple cool themselves by a river and enjoy some refreshments

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Zumsteins Historic Area

Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park

Enjoy a picnic or barbecue in the peaceful setting of Zumtein Picnic Area. Once a thriving tourist resort explore the historic ruins where beekeeper Walter Zumstein played host to hundreds of holidaymakers in the 1930s.

Zumsteins Historic Area is one of the best picnic spots for your day trip in the central Grampians. Enjoy a picnic or barbecue in scenic surrounds nestled near the banks of the MacKenzie River.

Discover the history of Zumsteins as you follow interpretive signs through the settlement. See remnants of cottages built in the 1930s as part of an old retreat for holidaymakers.

Follow the boardwalk along the banks of MacKenzie River. Watch the tranquil water and see if you can spot a platypus swim by. 

Zumsteins Picnic Area has disabled access toilets, compacted gravel paths, electric barbecues and picnic shelters. A timber boardwalk is located along the banks of the MacKenzie River to allow visitors to interact with the river. It is suitable for wheelchairs.

Things to do

 
A young couple cross the stream on rocks in front a the spectacular MacKenzies Falls.

MacKenzie Falls

An easy stroll from the MackKenzie Falls carpark leads to a viewing platform overlooking the picturesque Broken Falls. To reach the base of MacKenzie Falls, follow the signs. Take care as this walk has many steps and is steep, slippery and strenuous in sections.
Three friends enjoy a picnic on the grass in front of the historic Wallace Hut.

Picnics

Head outdoors for lunch in the warmer months and enjoy a picnic in some of nature's most relaxing and inspiring settings.
A husband and wife stop to take a photo of Masons Falls from the lookout.

Day trips

Pack the car and round up your family and friends. Whether you're seeking relaxation or adventure, parks offer a variety of day trips close to Melbourne.

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

Zumsteins Historic Area

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.
Zumsteins Historic Area

When you're there

Download the Grampians National Park visitor guide for more information about the park and the plethora of experiences to be had within its borders.

Need to know

Zumsteins Historic Area

Accessibility

Visiting a park can be more of a challenge for people with disabilities, however in Victoria there are a wide range of facilities to help people of all abilities enjoy our wonderful parks around the state.

Assistance dogs are welcome in Parks Victoria parks and reserves. Entry requirements apply for parks and reserves that are usually dog prohibited, such as national parks.

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 (Gariwerd) National Park

    Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park - Bushfire Reopening Update - Easter 2025

    The impact of the 2024/2025 summer fires in Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park was widespread. It resulted in the closure of many popular visitor sites including campgrounds, picnic areas, a large network of roads and walking tracks (including sections of the Grampians Peaks Trail).

    Parks Victoria is now progressing with large scale fire recovery works across the park. To complement these, a staged re-opening of visitor sites is being implemented. Staff have worked diligently to ensure the first phase of reopening’s are ready for the Easter long weekend.

    The sites to be reopened from Good Friday (18th April) are:

    ·      Silverband Falls walk and Silverband Road
    ·      Balconies walk
    ·      Sundial carpark and the walk to the Pinnacle and Lakeview lookout walk (Sundial Peak remains closed)
    ·      Boroka Track walk
    ·      Jimmy Creek and Wannon Crossing Campgrounds
    ·      Kalymna Campground and Kalymna walk
    ·      Griffin Trailhead to Cassidy Gap Rd (Grampians Peaks Trail) – walkers can now access this area by either pick up or drop off at Grampians Tourist Rd.  The Griffin Fireline Track remains closed to vehicles.

    For more detailed information please see the attached Park Update on “what is open” and “what is closed’ in the park.

    Attachments: GNP Park Update April 2025 (837KB)

    Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park - Roads Update 09.05.2025

    The Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park has many roads temporarily closed due to the recent bushfires. Please be aware the movement of visitors in parts of the National Park is restricted.

    Key roads open include Grampians Tourist Rd (most side roads remain closed), Mt Victory Rd, Sundial Rd, Silverband Rd, Roses Gap Rd, Mt Zero Rd and Victoria Valley Rd.

    Please refer to the attached up-to-date road report below.

    Attachments: Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park - Road Report - 09.05.2025 (246KB)

    The Balconies Walk and Reeds Lookout carpark

    The walk to the Balconies from Reed Lookout carpark is closed for track repair works from Monday 12th of May to Friday 23rd May 2025.

    The Reeds Lookout carpark will be closed from Monday 12th of May to Tuesday 13th of May 2025. The closure extends to Mount Victory Rd to support heavy vehicle material carting.

    From Wednesday 14th of May 2025 to Friday 23rd May 2025, the Reeds Lookout carpark will reopen with 50 percent fewer parking spaces and limited turnaround space for vehicles towing trailers.

    Grampians Peaks Trail – Helicopter Operations – 20.05.2025

    Helicopter Air-Lift Operations are scheduled along the Grampians Peaks Trail (GPT) on Tuesday 20th May 2025.

    An all-day closure will be in place at Piccaninny East (Bainggug) carpark. The carpark will be reopened at the earliest opportunity possible. The Piccaninny (Bainggug) walk to the summit and return only remains accessible from the Victoria Valley Road parking area. The roads in and around the reservoirs are closed.

    Temporary ‘hold in place’ closures of approximately 15 minutes at Hike-in campgrounds and walking tracks will be activated as staff work to remove toilet pods on the Grampians Peaks Trail. Please see the sites listed below.

    Signage will be installed at trailheads and staff will be on ground to assist with temporary closures. Please follow signage advice and remain clear of closed areas during operations.

    The operation will only take place under favourable weather conditions. Should the operation be suspended, a contingency day on Wednesday the 21st of May 2025 is available for works to re-commence when conditions are deemed favourable.

    Temporary ‘hold in place’ closures of approximately 15 minutes will occur at:

    GPT Hike-in Campgrounds
    ·      Barigar, Gar, Werdug and Mud-Dadjug Hike-in campgrounds

    Walking Tracks/Management Vehicle Only tracks (MVO)
    ·      Walking tracks and MVO’s north and south of the GPT Hike-in campgrounds listed

    Helicopter Landing Sites (HLS)
    ·      Lake Wartook HLS & Piccaninny East carpark HLS  

    For further information, please visit Brambuk the National Park and Cultural Centre in Halls Gap or call 8427 2258.

    Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park – Fire Recovery Update - April 2025

    The impact of the 2024/2025 summer fires in the Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park was widespread. Parks Victoria is now progressing with large scale fire recovery works across the park. For more information, please see the attached Fire Recovery Update April 2025. 

    Attachments: GNP Fire Recovery Newsletter April 2025 (1,458KB)

    The Pinnacle Walk from Wonderland Carpark

    Track repair works will take place on the Pinnacle Walk (halfway along in the Bridal Veil Falls area) from Monday 12th of May to Friday 23rd May 2025. The walk will remain open however visitors may experience delays. The Forest Loop Walk turn off near the works area offers an alternative route to access the Pinnacle Lookout.  

Similar experiences

 
A husband and wife stop to take a photo of Masons Falls from the lookout.

Masons Falls

Enjoy a picnic in the beautiful surrounds of Masons Falls Picnic Area. Set among towering gums, the large shelters and free gas barbecues make it the perfect place for a social gathering. The short waterfall walk is a real highlight.
An echidna in the grass.

Picnic areas in Brisbane Ranges National Park

There are a number of options for bushwalking ranging from short walks to three-day walks. This park is also popular for picnicking, scenic drives and camping.
A family walk through the Organ Pipes National Park on the way to a picnic spot.

Picnic areas

Organ Pipes National Park is a great place to enjoy a picnic. Picnic tables and toilets are available next to the carpark and near the Organ Pipes lookout.
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