Grade 4
Grampians National Park is part of the Gariwerd Aboriginal cultural landscape. Parks Victoria respects the deep and continuing connection that Traditional Owners have to these lands and waters, and we recognise their ongoing role in caring for Country.
Travelling south from Halls Gap, the Bugiga and Barri Yalug 3-day hike takes in some of the most iconic natural attractions in the central Grampians such as Venus Baths, Grand Canyon, The Pinnacle, Sundial Peak and Mount Rosea. The track is an overall Grade 4 walk, suitable for most experienced hikers. Alternatively this area can be reached from the Tunnel Walk Trailhead via the Tunnel walk, Lake Bellfield track and connecting at Borough Huts Campground. All itineraries require a car shuffle from start to finish. If you only have one vehicle, please visit Brambuk the National Park and Cultural Centre for other pick-up or walk options.
Itinerary highlights
Ramble past boulders along the edge of Stony Creek then climb up through the Grand Canyon. Witness spectacular, panoramic views along the Mount William Range, Fyans Valley and dramatic cliff faces of Mount Rosea. Walk through wet sclerophyll forest, scramble over boulders and rocky outcrops. See heritage-protected, raised water fluming held up by dry stone pillars.
Water safety
For your safety, having enough water along the Grampians Peaks Trail for hydration and cooking is so important. Our water information and availability page includes the locations (with latitude and longitude references) of serviced water tanks. All water tanks along the trail are untreated. So you need a safe way to treat water for drinking.
When planning this incredible hike, read the important Grampians Peaks Trail Plan and Prepare Guide.
Day one: (C1) Halls Gap to Bugiga Hike-in Campground (8.9km)
Start your journey from either your Halls Gap accommodation or Brambuk - The National Park and Cultural Centre. This section of the walk (C1 on GPT topographic map) involves stone staircases and footbridge crossings, following along Stony Creek towards the summit of The Pinnacle. There are impressive views from the Pinnacle all the way to Lake View Lookout.
Day two: (C2) Bugiga Hike-in Campground to Barri Yalug Hike-in Campground (14.7km)
Leaving Bugiga Hike-in Campground, you will start the steady climb through tall forest towards Mount Rosea, the most northern peak in the Serra Range. The cliffs on Mount Rosea are some of the highest on the trail. With a long descent that features a series of steep and windy steps to Borough Huts before reaching the Barri Yalug Hike-In Campground destination.
Day three: (C3) Barri Yalug Hike-in Campground to Barney Creek and Redman Road (800m)
Leave Barri Yalug Hike-in Campground and make your way down stone steps to cross Barney Creek and finish your walk at Redman Road Trailhead where you can meet a vehicle transfer back to Halls Gap. Ensure you organise this before your walk. The Grampians Peaks Trail then continues from here with the Duwul and Durd Durd 3-day hike to Seven Dials, Redman Bluff, Mount William (Duwul) and Durd Durd. If you are planning on staying longer to do more sections of the walk, you can add other itineraries to your booking.
Bookings and itinerary information
This 3-day hike connects with other day walks and tracks to allow you to step on and off from various points throughout Gariwerd such as returning to Halls Gap, or adding an additional night at Borough Huts Campground. The trailhead for this itinerary is Halls Gap and access to the trail is signposted. Find out more about the central Grampians walks in the official map for Grampians Peaks Trail. You can find out how to get to Halls Gap via the map above. All itineraries require a car shuffle from start to finish. If you only have one vehicle, please visit Brambuk the National Park and Cultural Centre for other pick-up or walk options.
Camping fees
The trail itself is free to hikers but camping fees apply to stay overnight. This itinerary includes two nights at two different, dedicated campgrounds: first night at Bugiga Hike-in Campground and second night at Barri Yalug Hike-in Campground. These are booked as an all-inclusive itinerary - all you need to do is choose the date of your first night to book. We recommend booking your 3-day hike well in advance of your planned departure to ensure there is tent pad availability at each campground.
The 3-day itinerary costs are:
$100.80 for up to two people on a 3.5m x 3.5m standard tent pad
These hike-in campgrounds are in very remote locations, you're not near a busy road or carpark, so you feel the reward of being deep inside the national park. They have been built with a good level of amenity that is well designed, sympathetic to the landscape and sustainable. As such, they are priced higher for the value they provide. The price for a standard tent pad for a 3-day/2-night hike is roughly $50 per night ($25 p/person if sharing) in camping fees for these unique, well-equipped hike-in campgrounds. These fees contribute towards the operation and maintenance of this unique hiking experience and helps to protect the enviornmental values of this heritage-listed national park.
Campground information
Both campgrounds have 3.5m x 3.5m timber tent platforms with steel chains that can be used to secure your tent. Additional guy rope may be needed for tent vestibules or tunnel style tents. Each campground has been individually designed the fit within the surrounding landscape. They feature an unpowered communal area for meal preparation, basic toilet facilities and water collection points. Mobile phone service is not available at Bugiga Hike-in Campground and along some sections of the walk. There is good service at Barri Yalug Hike-in Campground. The use of fuel stoves in all hiker camps is permitted but open campfires are not allowed. Please take your rubbish with you on the entire journey and dispose of it when you get home.
How to get there
Bugiga and Barri Yalug 3-day Hike
From Melbourne (253km, 3hrs): Drive west on the Western Highway (A8) to Ararat. From Ararat take the Ararat-Halls Gap Road (C222) for 48km through Moyston, Pomonal and onto Halls Gap.
From Dunkeld (65km, 45mins): Leave Dunkeld village to the east on the Glenelg Highway (B160). Drive 200m and turn north onto Victoria Valley Road (C216). Drive 2.6km turn right on Grampians Tourist Road (C216) and follow for 62km to Halls Gap.
When you're there
Make Brambuk - The National Park and Cultural Centre in Halls Gap your first stop. Here you can explore what Gariwerd means to Aboriginal people and find information about visiting Grampians National Park.
Safety is your responsibility
- At lookouts, never climb over barriers. Your safety is more important than a social media post.
- There are steep cliffs in the park. Keep to the track, mind your footing and supervise children.
- Many walking tracks involve rock steps, uneven and slippery track surfaces, water crossings and rock hopping.
- Mobile phone service is unavailable in many areas of the park. Seek higher elevations for service.
- Plan your timing, return from walking well before dusk.
Emergency markers
In the event of an emergency, call Triple Zero 000 or 112 to access police and emergency services. Be aware that you may travel out of mobile phone range. Many of our parks feature emergency markers, which are special green signs with a unique code on them so emergency responders can pinpoint your exact location.
Need to know
Bugiga and Barri Yalug 3-day Hike
Walking track grades
Hikes along the Grampians Peaks Trail have been graded using the Australian walking track grading system, which is a primary means of informing people about the features of walking tracks, so they can gauge their suitability for a particular track. Under the system, walking trails are graded on a difficulty scale from grades one to five.
Grade 1: No bushwalking experience required. Flat even surface with no steps or steep sections. Suitable for assisted wheelchair users.
Grade 2: No bushwalking experience required. A hardened or compacted surface which may have gentle hill sections or occasional steps.
Grade 3: Suitable for most ages and fitness levels. Tracks may have short steep sections, a rough surface and many steps.
Grade 4: Bushwalking experience recommended. Tracks may be long, rough and very steep. Directional signage may be limited.
Grade 5: Very experienced bushwalkers with specialised skills, including navigation and emergency first aid. Tracks likely to be very rough, very steep and unmarked.
Hiking tips for Grampians Peaks Trail
- An Official Grampians Peaks Trail topographic map (for North/Central/South) available from Brambuk the National Park and Cultural Centre, Halls Gap and other visitor outlets in nearby towns (and compass)
- Waterproof jacket and pants, thermal layers, breathable-fabric layers, beanie, sun hat and sunscreen.
- Hiking boots or shoes with a good tread and support.
- Water and food for all meals and snacks, plus extra for an emergency. Fuel stove for cooking.
- Drinking water treatment equipment for untreated water tanks at campground.
- 3-season tent, 3-season sleeping bag, mat and cord/thin rope to attach your tent to timber tent platforms.
- Lightweight gas or liquid fuel stove, matches/lighter, cooking pot and utensils.
- Head torch with spare batteries. Useful when moving around a campground at night.
- Good quality first aid kit with snake bite bandage.
- Mobile phone with USB cable – you can recharge at campgrounds along the trail. We also recommend taking a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) for extra safety and a small radio to listen to weather or bushfire updates.
- Toilet paper, trowel and a bag to carry your rubbish.
- Waterproof pack liner to keep everything in your hiking backpack dry.
Be bushfire aware
The warmer months are the perfect time to experience regional Victoria. However, Victoria is one of the most fire-prone areas in the world. During summer in Victoria, the weather can be very hot and dry and the risk of summer lightning storms can increase the chance of bushfires.
Follow these bushfire safety tips to ensure that your experience is safe and enjoyable.
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.
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Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park
Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park - Bushfire Information
Since 16 December 2024, several bushfires have impacted large parts of the Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park including the Serra, Mt Willliam and Victoria Ranges, Victory Valley, Wallaby Rocks and Central Corridor areas.The fires are now either listed as ‘Contained’ or ‘Under Control’, however large areas of the National Park remain closed to support ongoing fire operations and to ensure visitor and community safety. The closed areas include all fire affected areas including Parks Victoria managed roads, walking tracks, campgrounds and visitor sites.Many visitor sites within the non-fire affected areas of the National Park are now re-opened to the public for day use. This includes walking tracks, designated climbing areas, roads, access tracks and picnic areas.Popular open visitor areas include:Central Grampians, Wonderland Range and Halls Gap visitor areas• Brambuk the National Park & Cultural Centre and nearby walks• Boroka Lookout, Reeds Lookout, Mackenzie Falls and Zumsteins Picnic Area• The Wonderland Area, including The Pinnacle, Venus Baths and Grand Canyon• Chatauqua Peak, Clematis Falls and Bullaces Glen• Boronia Peak and Fyans Creek LoopNorthern Grampians• Mount Zero, Mount Stapylton, Hollow Mountain and Mount Difficult (Gar) walks• Grampians Peaks Trail between Mount Zero and Halls Gap (day walks only)Southern Grampians• Mt Abrupt (Mud-Dadjug), Mt Sturgeon (Wurgarri) Piccaninny (Baingugg), Signal Peak walks• Grampians Peaks Trail between Dunkeld and Cassidy Gap Road (day walks only)Designated rock-climbing areas• Hollow Mountain, Mount Stapylton, Halls Gap and Wonderland area sites: 1 – 77Roads• Key roads including Grampians Tourist Road, Mount Victory Road, Roses Gap Road, Mount Zero Road are all open.For more information on road closures, visit the VicTraffic website ww.traffic.transport.vic.gov.auClosed Areas• Refer to the attached map for closed areas of the National Park.Camping and overnight hikes• All vehicle based and hike-in campgrounds are currently closedPrior to setting out into the National Park, visit Brambuk the National Park and Cultural Centre. Located 2km south of Halls Gap township, this centre provides up to date park information and sells maps, brochures and a range of Aboriginal art and souvenirs. The centre is open 9am to 4pm, 7 days a week. Contact Brambuk at (03) 8427 2258 or email brambuk@parks.vic.gov.auFor further park information, call Parks Victoria on 13 1963.For fire related information, download the VicEmergency app or visit www.emergency.vic.gov.au.If you see impacted wildlife - call 1300 356 682.Attachments: Grampians Closure Public Information (1,283KB)