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.
Hike during the day and camp 1-night under the stars to experience a little bit more of what the Grampians Peaks Trail has to offer. Choose from three 2-day hike options and explore the ancient, rugged landscape of Gariwerd. All itineraries require a car shuffle from start to finish. If you only have one vehicle, contact a Grampians Peaks Trail Licensed Tour Operator for transport services or visit Brambuk the National Park and Cultural Centre for other pick-up or hiking options.
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.
Barigar
This overnight hike takes in the dramatic Stapylton Amphitheatre with the magnificent orange wave of Taipan Wall, Bird Rock, Mt Stapylton, panoramic ridgeline walking, wildflowers, seasonal creeks and a hidden waterfall located not far from Barigar Hike-in Campground.
Grade: 4
Length: 16.0km Day 1: 12.1km Day 2:3.9km
Start: Mt Zero Picnic Area (N1 on GPT Topographic map)
Finish: Gar Trailhead (Roses Gap Road)
Pick up and drop off: Short vehicle shuffle between Mt Zero Picnic Area and Gar Trailhead or arrange a bus transfer with Licensed Tour Operator. 45min round trip.
How to get there: From Melbourne (290km, 3hrs and 15mins), drive west on the Western Highway (A8) through Ararat, Stawell and Dadswells Bridge to Wonwondah-Dadswells Bridge Road. Turn left and follow for 6.4km to Winfields Road (unsealed), turn left and follow for 1.2km to Mt Zero Road (unsealed), turn left and follow for 2.2km to Mt Zero Picnic Area.
Bugiga
Start the morning in Halls Gap before traversing the Wonderland and northern section of the Serra Ranges on this overnight hike. Follow the cascading Stony Creek upstream through the Grand Canyon, climb to the Pinnacle and continue along the trail to camp below Mt Rosea at Bugiga Hike-in Campground. Wander through tall forest to rocky outcrops and incredible views on Mt Rosea, then take the long descent to the finishing point at Borough Huts Campground.
Grade: 4
Length: 22.3km Day 1: 9km Day 2: 13.3km
Start: Halls Gap (C1 on GPT Topographic map)
Finish: Borough Huts Campground (C2)
Pick up and drop off: Short vehicle shuffle from Borough Huts Campground back to Halls Gap or arrange a bus transfer with Licensed Tour Operator.
How to get there:
- 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.
Mud-Dadjug
Starting from Cassidy Gap Road, hike uphill through rocky shrubland before climbing up to Signal Peak and across escarpments to the rocky exposed summit of Mt Abrupt (Mud-Dadjug). Enjoy sweeping views across the Serra Range and Southern Grampians, before camping at Mud-Dadjug. On the second day cross over Bainggug (The Piccaninny) and take the steady climb up Mt Sturgeon (Wurgarri) before descending down the rocky slope to meander through an open Red Gum woodland. Cross bridges and follow directional signage into the small town of Dunkeld.
Grade: Grade 4
Length: 22.1 km Day 1: 7.3km Day 2: 14.8km
Start: Cassidy Gap Road. Limited parking available, drop offs are encouraged.
Finish: Dunkeld
Pick up and drop off: Short vehicle shuffle between Dunkeld and Cassidy Gap Road or arrange a transfer with a Licensed Tour Operator. 15min round trip.
How to get there:
- From Melbourne (273km, 3hrs 20mins): Drive west on the Western Highway (M8) to Ballarat. From Ballarat take the Glenelg Highway (B160) west to Dunkeld. Turn north onto Victoria Valley Road (C216). Drive 2.6km and turn right on Grampians Tourist Road (C216) to Halls Gap. Drive 7.6km then turn left onto Cassidy Gap Road. Drive three minutes to the GPT trail crossing.
- From Dunkeld (10.8km, 13mins): Leave Dunkeld village to the east on the Glenelg Highway (B160). Drive 200m and turn north onto Victoria Valley Road (C216). Drive 2.6km and turn right on Grampians Tourist Road (C216) to Halls Gap. Drive 7.6km then turn left onto Cassidy Gap Road. Drive three minutes along the dirt road to the GPT trail crossing.
- From Halls Gap (54.5km, 40mins): Drive south on Grampians Tourist Road (C216) towards Dunkeld. After 54km turn right onto Cassidy Gap Road. Drive three minutes along the dirt road to the GPT trail crossing.
Grampians Peaks Trail Experiences
Grampians Peaks Trail
Gar and Werdug 3-day Hike
Bugiga and Barri Yalug 3-day Hike
Duwul and Durd Durd 3-day Hike
Yarram and Wannon 3-day Hike
Djardji-djawara and Mud-dadjug 3-day Hike
Brambuk The National Park and Cultural Centre
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
Overnight Hikes
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.
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.
-
Notices Affecting Multiple Parks
Seasonal road closures 2023
Seasonal road closures apply to areas within and tracks bordering this park from 15 June 2023. See MapshareVic for locations of the closures. Visit the seasonal road closures page for more information -
Notices Affecting Multiple Sites
Grampians Gariwerd Landscape - Aerial Deer Management Program Temporary Park Closures
Grampians Gariwerd Landscape – Information UpdateParks Victoria will commence aerial and ground-based pest animal control operations across the Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park and Black Range State Park during October 2023.Informed by scientific research, this program is aimed at controlling/reducing introduced Goat and Deer populations that are threatening the important natural and cultural values of the Greater Gariwerd Landscape. Qualified and experienced contractors will undertake aerial based control operations across the landscape where these animals are impacting vegetation and cultural values.Parks Victoria staff will continue to support these efforts with staged ground-based operations throughout the year, including at Black Range Scenic reserve.The first aerial operation is scheduled to commence Tuesday 10th October, and conclude Thursday 12th October 2023. A Fact sheet showing the operation areas is attached showing approximate dates and times of temporary closures, and a list of these closures is shown below.- During operations, some key visitor sites including the
Grampians Peaks Trail and other walking tracks may be temporarily
closed (up to two hours) for visitor safety. See list below.
- Park closures will be clearly signposted and managed by
staff
- Visitors are asked to refrain from entering closed
areas, staying on designated walking tracks or modifying their plans to
visit outside of the hours of operation.
- Visitors may be able to see helicopters flying at low
levels and hear gunshots
All Parks Victoria’s conservation programs are thoroughly planned and implemented under strict protocols and oversight, ensuring that operations are safe, effective, humane and meet obligations of all relevant legislation, Codes of Practice and Standard Operating Procedures.For Further Information about this operation and temporary park closures please refer to the Deer Control Program Fact Sheet attached and Parks Victoria website, or call the Parks Victoria Information centre on 13 19 63.List of visitor sites and roads potentially impacted by temporary closures. Please note, the below times are best estimates and are subject to change. Parks Victoria will update the list of temporary closure times closer to the date.Day 1: Tuesday 10th October - Temporary closures may occur between 08:00 – 14:30pm(Bullawin Sector)Closed Visitor SitesFortress Walking TrackMt Thackeray Walking TrackHut Creek Walking TrackMt Thackeray and Fortress Overnight hiking campManja Art Shelter walking trackChimney Pots walking trackVictoria Range Rock climbing sitesClosed RoadsVictoria Range TrackGoat Track“Blind FirelineYanganaginj Njawai trackSites Remaining Open:Buandik Campground from Red rock roadBillimina shelterJadawadjali Falls walking trackStrachans CampgroundIngleton SpringsRed Rock RoadHarrops Track(Burrunj Black Range) SectorClosed Visitor SitesMount Byron Walking trackMudadgadjiin Picnic Area and Art shelter walkRock Escarpment Discovery walkWildman CaveClosed RoadsMuirfoot track (MVO)Black Range Road between Rees and Rocklands-Cherrypool RdSites Remaining Open:Rockland Cherrypool RoadRees RdDay 1: Tuesday 10th October - Temporary Closures may occur between 15:00 – 17:00pm(Boroka Sector)Closed Visitor SitesGrampians Peaks Trail from Mt Difficult road south Crossing to Halls GapBoroka Lookout Walking trackBullaces Glen walking trackChatauqua Peak Loop walking trackClematis Falls Walking TrackClosed RoadsMt Difficult Road - Gravel Section OnlySites Remaining Open:Boroka Lookout – from Mt Victory Road onlyDay 2: Wednesday 11th October - Temporary closures may occur between 08:30 – 14:30(Glenelg River Sectors)Closed Visitor SitesRed Gum WalkClosed RoadsMair Track (Seasonal)Henham Shortcut TrackChannel track(Moora Moora Sector)Closed Visitor SitesTower HillMoora Moora Outlet/Dam WallClosed RoadsSerra Henham Link TrackHenham TrackMoora Moora Track (Seasonal)Outlet TrackRosea Track (Seasonal)Remaining OpenPaddy’s CastleBoreang CampgroundBundaleer and Mt Rosea Rockclimbing areasGlenelg River Road(Wartook Sector) - Temporary Closures may occur between 15:00 -17:00Closed Visitor SitesGrampians Peaks Trail from Mt Difficult Rd Crossing sth – Old Mt Difficult Loop intersection Grid Ref e629933 n5903971Long Point West Hike-in campgroundLong Point East Hike Hike-in campgroundWartook Lookout walking trackClosed RoadsWartook East Fireline (MVO)Mt Difficult Road – Gravel SectionOld Mill RoadRicky North track (MVO)Sites Remaining Open:Werdug Hike in Campground – movement to and from may be delayedBoroka LookoutThursday 12th October - Temporary Closures may occur between 08:30 – 10:30am(Briggs Sector)Closed Visitor SitesBeehive Falls Walking TrackGrampians Peaks Trail from Troopers Creek campground intersection to Gar Hike in campgroundBriggs Bluff walking trackMt Difficult Walking track – from Mt Difficult road /Carters track intersectionGar Waterfalls TrackLong Point West Hike in CampgroundClosed RoadsCarters-Longpoint track (MVO)Long Point Fireline (MVO)Sites Remaining Open:Gar Hike in CampgroundHeatherlie QuarryThursday 12th October - Temporary Closures may occur between 10:30 – 12:30(Boronia Sector)Closed Visitor SitesTunnel walking trackBoronia Peak walking trackClosed RoadsMt Cassell fireline (Seasonal)Terraces Fireline (MVO)* Grampians Peaks Trail return to Halls Gap sectionSites Remaining Open:Fyans Creek Loop walking trackDelleys Bridge walking trackTunnel visitor site eastLake Bellfield Track(Seven Dials Sector)Closed RoadsRedman Rd – between GPT/Redman road trailhead and East Park BoundarySeven Dials Track (MVO) *rock climbing areasSites Remaining Open:Grampians Peaks Trail(Wannon Sector)Closed RoadsAll internal seasonal and management vehicle only tracksLynches Crossing trackChilds LanePark Boundary tracks near gooseneck swamp and Brady SwampAttachments: Grampians Deer Management Fact Sheet_final (1,792KB)
- During operations, some key visitor sites including the
Grampians Peaks Trail and other walking tracks may be temporarily
closed (up to two hours) for visitor safety. See list below.
-
Grampians National Park
Grampians Peaks Trail - Helicopter Air-Lift Operations - Thursday 5/10/2023 & Friday 6/10/2023
Helicopter Air-Lift Operations are scheduled along Grampians Peaks Trail from Thursday 5th- Friday 6th October 2023 at Gar, Werdug, Barri Yalug, Duwul, Yarram, Mud-Dadjug Hike-in campgrounds.Temporary walking track and road closures (of up to half an hour) may be required as staff work to remove toilet pods and transfer trail surfacing materials into and out of Hike-in Campgrounds.Signage will be installed at Trailheads and staff will be on ground to assist with any closures. Please follow advice of signage and remain clear of closed areas during operations.Temporary closures will be in place at:· Gar, Werdug, Barri Yalug, Duwul, Yarram and Mud-Dadjug hike-in campgrounds· Walking tracks and Management Vehicle Only tracks north and south of hike-in campgrounds.· Gar, Wartook, Brambuk, Mt William and Piccaninny Helicopter Landing Sites· Piccaninny East Carpark· Fyans Creek Loop Track southern end (includes the bridge crossing near Brambuk and eastern side of the open area)· Apiary (Bee) Site 20m east off Grampians Road (approx. 4.5km south of Jimmy Creek Campground)This operation will only take place under favourable weather conditions. Should the operation be suspended, the works will re-commence when conditions are deemed favourable.For further information, please visit Brambuk the National Park and Cultural Centre in Halls Gap or call Parks Victoria on 13 1963.Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park - Roads Update 03.10.2023
The Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park has several roads temporarily closed for repair works and upgrades. Please be aware the movement of visitors in these parts of the National Park is restricted.Road Closures
Mitchell Road, Mt William Picnic Ground Track are closed.Partial Road Closures
Mafeking Road from Emmet Road intersection to Mt William Picnic Ground Road.Pohlner Road from North Link Track to Winfields Road.Grampians Peaks Trail - Access Closures
Road access (Griffin Track) to the Griffin Trailhead for the Grampians Peaks Trail is currently closed to vehicles due to poor road condition. Walkers can access the GPT on foot via the Griffin Track from the Grampians Tourist Road.Redman Road Trailhead carpark is currently closed. The nearest site for parking is at Borough Huts Campground.
Seasonal road closures apply to areas within and tracks bordering this park from 15 June 2023. See MapshareVic for locations of the closures. Visit the seasonal road closures page for more informationPlease 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 03.10.2023 (180KB)
Similar experiences at other parks
Wilsons Promontory Northern Overnight Hikes
Wilsons Promontory Southern Circuit Overnight Hikes
Great South West Walk
