Day walks


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.

Barengi Gadjin Land Council   Eastern Maar Aboriginal Corporation   Gunditj Mirring Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation


Get a sample of the Grampians Peaks Trail with one of our suggested day walks. Explore the ancient, rugged landscape of Gariwerd and discover the natural beauty of the Grampians National Park.


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.


Mt Stapylton Loop

Mt Zero Picnic Area or alternatively from Stapylton Campground

Loop: 9.7km, 4 - 5hrs

Grade 4 (Hard): Challenging steep sections, rock hopping, slippery surfaces and exposed rocky outcrops.

Start: Mt Zero Picnic Area, Mt Zero Road.

Follow Grampians Peaks Trail markers for 500m up ‘Flat Rock’ to an outcrop overlooking the Stapylton Amphitheatre and the spectacular orange-coloured Taipan Wall. Continue downhill to the next track junction where the Loop walk begins. You will return to this point later.

Keep left and continue 1.3km before beginning to climb steadily up and over rocky terraces, passing ‘bird rock’.

At the Mt Stapylton summit intersection take the 600m return walk to the lower area before continuing south along the Grampians Peaks Trail. The track winds its way up, over and under rocky outcrops for the next 2.3km.

At the next track junction follow signs leaving the Grampians Peaks Trail and head west, downhill towards Pohlners Road and the Stapylton Campground track junction where the track heads north-west for 3km leading back into the Stapylton Amphitheatre and back on to the Grampians Peaks Trail.

This concludes the loop and you return to Mt Zero Picnic Area via Flat Rock.

 

Lower Waterfalls of Gar (Mt Difficult)

Troopers Creek Campground Return walk: 4.2km. 2 hours

Grade 3 (Medium): Steep sections. Steep rock steps and walking track, creek crossings, slippery rocks, and exposed cliff edges. Note: the walking track beyond the falls and on to Gar (Mt Difficult) and Briggs Bluff is Grade 4: Hard. For fit, experienced and prepared walkers only.

Start: From Troopers Creek Campground. A series of seasonal waterfalls that are best seen after rain. Spectacular views from rocky lookouts.

Follow the creek side track steadily uphill for 1.8km past the first small waterfall spilling from a wave-shaped rock. Continue on upwards enjoying fine views to finish at the base of the third waterfall. Return via the same route.

 

Lake Wartook Lookout

Mt Difficult Road Return walk: 1.1km, 40 minutes

Grade 3 (Medium): Uneven surfaces, slippery rocks, exposed cliff edges.

Start: Lake Wartook Lookout, Mt Difficult Road. Approximately 4.5km north of Boroka Lookout carpark.

From the roadside you will walk west before climbing steadily up rock staircases and over rocky terraces to finally climb through a narrow rocky slot onto the summit. Return via the same route.

 

Lake Wartook Lookout to Halls Gap

Mt Difficult Road

One-way: 10.9km, 3-4 hours

Vehicle drop/shuffle required or 20.7km return, 6-7 hours

Grade 4 (Hard): Challenging steep sections, rock hopping, slippery surfaces and exposed rocky outcrops.

Start: Lake Wartook Lookout, Mt Difficult Road. Note: unsealed road access to the lookout car park requires higher clearance vehicles. Limited parking available.

From Lake Wartook Lookout follow the Grampians Peaks Trail south for 1.1km to cross the Mt Difficult Road and for 2km walk through low forest before taking steep descending steps into taller forest. It is a gradual downhill walk south via the Chatauqua Peak saddle, Clematiss Falls and the Botanic Gardens into Halls Gap.

 

Signal Peak

Mt Abrupt Carpark

Return walk: 7.8km, 3 - 4 hours

Grade 4 (Hard): Challenging steep sections, rock hopping, slippery surfaces and exposed rocky outcrops.

Start: Mt Abrupt Carpark. Cross the Grampians Tourist Road and follow the signs to Mt Abrupt and Signal Peak. The track steadily rises through low forest, crossing several landslides that occurred in 2011.

Turn right after 1.7km at the track junction. Signal Peak is 2.2km from here. Follow the track for 2.2km as it winds below a rocky escarpment and through a saddle with tall trees. From the saddle the track climbs up onto the drier western slopes of Signal Peak passing through heathy vegetation before finally reaching the summit at an elevation of 780m.

 

More Grampians Peaks Trail experiences

Find out more about other options for hiking experiences along the Grampians Peaks Trail.
Two friends walk along the track south of Redmans Bluff with views of the Serra Range in the background on central section 3 of the GPT

Grampians Peaks Trail

The Grampians Peaks Trail (160km) is a world-class 13-day hiking experience from Mt Zero in the north, through Halls Gap and finishing at Dunkeld. It can also be completed in shorter sections.
A young man offers his hand to his walking partner at the summit of The Pinnacle in the Grampians National Park.

The Pinnacle walks

Choose from two different routes up to The Pinnacle lookout – an easy to medium walk from Sundial Carpark and a more challenging walk from Wonderland Carpark.
Walking through the Wonderland Range on Central Section 1 of the Grampians Peaks Trail

Overnight Hikes

Choose from two different 2-day hikes available and explore the trail that little bit further.

Brambuk The National Park and Cultural Centre

Before setting off on your Grampians Peaks Trail hike, visit Brambuk the National Park and Cultural Centre in Halls Gap for topographical maps and speak to knowledgeable staff for the latest park information.

Grampians Peaks Trail Day Walks

This area is well known for its wildlife. Keep an eye out for:

Kangaroos
Emus
Echidnas

How to get there

Day walks

The Grampians Peaks Trail currently starts and finishes in Halls Gap, which is a good starting point for anyone looking to walk or hike any of the trails in the Grampians National Park. The 260 km drive to Halls Gap from Melbourne along the Western or Glenelg Highways takes about 3 hours. There are approaches to Halls Gap via Stawell, Ararat or Dunkeld.

Need to know

Day 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 (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

Similar experiences at other parks

 
A woman with a small backpack walks along a road surrounded by hills

Short and Day Walks

Take a day trip and choose from a variety of hikes up to six hours in length. Hikes range in difficulty from easy to hard, through varying terrain.
Family walks together on a coastal track at Wilsons Promontory

Day walks at the Prom

There are many walks around the Prom. The walks provide a perfect opportunities to view native wildlife including kangaroos, wallabies, emus and wombats as well as some spectacular views.

Walking in Werribee Gorge

Step out on a quiet walk for some birdwatching or discover the amazing shapes, colours and textures present in the ancient geological examples on display in the cliffs above the river gorge. Early morning hikes in the warmer seasons can be rewarded with a rockpool paddle.
A woman in a purple shirt scrambles up through rocky terrain along the path.

Sugarloaf Saddle

Park information, picnic ground, parking and toilets are available at Sugarloaf Saddle, which is the starting point for walks such as Canyon Track and Wells Cave Track.
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