Southern Grampians

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Southern Grampians

Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park

The southern Grampians takes in the remote Victoria Range and the park's highest point, Mt William. Close to Dunkeld, Mt Sturgeon, the Piccaninny and spectacular Mt Abrupt are waiting to be conquered. This expansive area far from the crowds offers rugged hikes and short walks.

The southern Grampians is often overlooked by visitors who flock to the famous sights around Halls Gap further north. But if you prefer to experience epic landscapes away from the crowds and scenic drives along lonely mountain roads, then this is the place to come.

Dunkeld is the gateway to the southern Grampians and many visitors stay here. The town is close to three fantastic summit walks: Mount Abrupt, Mt Sturgeon and The Piccaninny.

Mt William, the highest point in the Grampians, is a short and scenic drive from Halls Gap - or a longer and even more scenic drive from Dunkeld.

If you’re an experienced walker you’ll enjoy the unique challenge of the southern Grampians' overnight hikes. Tackle the 40km Major Mitchell Plateau hike or the truly remote experience of the Fortress and Mt Thackeray hike.

The Grampians is a special place for nature lovers and the remote campgrounds that offer temporary accommodation to humans are also the permanent homes of native animals. You're pretty much guaranteed to see emus, kangaroos and wallabies if you stay the night. Encounters with wildlife and plants become even more pleasing against the spectacular mountain backdrops.

Some of the most popular places in the Grampians are its waterfalls. In the southern region, Kalymna Falls and Burrong Falls are reached by fairly short walks and are spectacular after rain. Jadawadjali Falls is a pleasant stop on the way up to Billimina Shelter, a massive rock overhang with Aboriginal art.

Traditionally known as Gariwerd, this region is home to the largest number of significant and ancient Aboriginal rock art paintings and shelters in southern Australia. A visit to Brambuk – The National Park and Cultural Centre in Halls Gap will help you get the most of your trip to these rock shelters. You will also find general information about visiting the park.

Things to do

 
Mount William, Grampians National Park

Mount William

Mount William or Duwul is the highest peak in the Grampians National Park (Gariwerd). This trailhead provides access to the challenging Mount William walk where you can obtain 360 degree views of the mountains and surrounding pastoral lands reward walkers for their efforts.
A picnic table and fireplace in front of tents at Buandik Campround in the Grampians National Park

Buandik Campground

Buandik Campground is located in the Western Grampians at the base of the Victoria Range. The campground is set amongst open woodland beside Cultivation Creek and is close to the start of walks to Billimina and Manja rock art shelters and Buandik Falls.
A red tent, camp chairs and fireplace among tall eucalypts at Strachans Campground at Grampians National Park

Strachans Campground

Strachans Campground is located beside the headwaters of the Glenelg River at the site of a former timber mill. Strachans is perfectly situated to explore the Victoria Range and Victoria Valley, where there are opportunities for bushwalking, four wheel driving and rock climbing.
Two women hike through the Grampians National Park.

First Wannon Hiker Camp

First Wannon Hiker Camp is a small clearing with limited space best positioned for small, single groups or individual walkers undertaking the remote overnight hike across the Major Mitchell Plateau.
Two women unpack camping great from their ute at Jimmy Creek Campground at the Grampians National Park

Jimmy Creek Campground

Jimmy Creek Campground is located in an open forest adjacent to the upper Wannon River. This campground is halfway between Halls Gap and Dunkeld, and is a great base for exploring both the Southern and Eastern Grampians.

How to get there

Southern Grampians

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

Need to know

Southern Grampians

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

    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.

    Coppermine 4WD Track Partial Closure

    Partial closure of Coppermine Track 21-23 May 2025
     
    Coppermine Track will be partially closed between Coppermine Campground and Mt Zero Rd from Wednesday 21 May until Fri 23 May 2025 for roadworks.  

    Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park - Roads Update 20.05.2025

    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 - 20.05.2025 (217KB)

    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.  

    Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park - Bushfire Reopening Update – May 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

    The sites, which have reopened from April 18, 2025 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 but open to walkers accessing the Grampians Peaks Trail via the Griffin Trailhead.

    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 May 2025 (556KB)

    Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park – Fire Recovery Update – May 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 detailed information, please see the attached Fire Recovery Update May 2025. 

    Attachments: GNP Fire Recovery Newsletter May 2025 (1,327KB)

    Run The Gap 2025 - Fun Run Event – Halls Gap and surrounds

    Run the Gap 2025 is an annual fun run being held in Halls Gap and surrounding areas of the Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park on Sunday May 25th, 2025.
     
    Schedule
    7:30am – 21km run
    8:10am – 12km run
    8:30am - 6km run
    8:35am - 6km walk
     
    The trail running courses will be held on several walking tracks, with marshalled road crossings and event stations in place at several visitor sites. 

    For more detail on the event including start and finish locations for each distance visit:

    If you are visiting the area on these dates and require more detailed information, contact Brambuk the National Park and Cultural Centre on (03) 8427 2258. 

  • Brambuk the National Park and Cultural Centre (Brambuk - The National Park and Cultural Centre Park, Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park)

    Brambuk the National Park and Cultural Centre – Closures during 2025

    Brambuk the National Park and Cultural Centre – Closures during 2025

    ·      Cultural tours, activities and venue hire currently unavailable.
    ·      Park information centre and gift shop remain open.

    Parks Victoria is working with a strategic partnership committee of Gariwerd Traditional Owners from Barengi Gadjin Land Council, Eastern Maar Aboriginal Corporation, and Gunditj Mirring Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation to ‘reimagine’ the future of Brambuk the National Park and Cultural Centre.

    The reimagining project aims to renew Traditional Owner management arrangements of the Brambuk precinct and includes careful consideration of the tourism and visitor experiences, commercial opportunities, cultural education and training programs that may be available in the future. As part of this project, there are also building upgrades and refurbishments that require the Cultural Centre to be closed during 2024-25. However, the park information centre, gift shop and self-guided walks remain available.
     
    For Junior Ranger School holiday programs visit https://www.parks.vic.gov.au/things-to-do/junior-rangers

    For a list of Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park Licensed Tour Operators Visit https://www.parks.vic.gov.au/lto

    For up-to-date national park information, brochures, maps, permits and access advice contact information staff at Brambuk the National Park and Cultural Centre info@parks.vic.gov.au or phone 8427 2058

    Further details on the Brambuk Reimagining project can be found on the Parks Victoria website https://www.parks.vic.gov.au/projects/western-victoria/brambuk-cultural-centre-upgrade

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