Smiths Mill Campground

A tent sits within a campground surrounded by trees for shade

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Smiths Mill Campground

Just 1km from popular sights such as Mackenzie Falls, and only a short drive to Boroka Lookout, Reeds Lookout and Zumsteins Picnic Area, Smiths Mill is the ideal campground to explore the central Grampians.

Smiths Mill Campground is located in woodland at the site of an old sawmill. Enjoy sleeping in the company of emus and kangaroos far from civilisation.

There are 28 sites suitable for tent-based camping with adjacent vehicle parking and five drive-in sites suitable for camper-trailers, caravans and campervans. Each site at Smiths Mill Campground accommodates a maximum of 6 people. Sites are unpowered.

There are non-flush toilets, a bush shower, and shared fire pits available.

Popular nearby sights include Mackenzie Falls, Boroka Lookout, Reeds Lookout and Zumsteins Picnic Area.


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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.
A couple enjoy a picnic by the MacKenzie river at Zumsteins Historic Area.

Zumsteins Historic Area

Zumsteins Picnic Area is located on the banks of the MacKenzie River and is the site of an historic settlement. It provides a great opportunity to relax in the natural setting of the Grampians, enjoy the wildlife, a barbecue and a short stroll.
Person watching the sunrise at Boroka Lookout in Grampians National Park

Boroka Lookout

Boroka Lookout provides spectacular views of the Wonderland Range, Mt William Range, Fyans Valley, Lake Bellfield and the plains to the east of the Grampians. The lookout is located 15km from Halls Gap and is easily accessed via sealed roads.

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

Smiths Mill Campground

Smiths Mill Campground is best accessed via the C228 (Wartook Rd), but it can also be accessed from non-sealed Old Mill Road.
Smiths Mill Campground

Sites

When you're there

There is no supplied drinking water — limited non-potable water may be available from a seasonal rainwater tank and a river-fed campground taps. Bring your own firewood and keep fires in designated fireplaces.

Download the Grampians National Park visitor guide to get the most out of your park visit.

Need to know

Smiths Mill Campground

Safety tips for a great visit

Stay safe and get the most out of your park visit by preparing for natural hazards and other outdoor risks in Victoria’s parks. You are responsible for your own safety and the safety of those in your care.

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.

Bushfire awareness

Smiths Mill Campground in the Grampians National Park is in the Wimmera fire district. Bushfire safety is a personal responsibility. Anyone entering the park during the bushfire season needs to stay aware of forecast weather conditions. Check the Fire Danger Rating and for days of Total Fire Ban at emergency.vic.gov.au, on the Vic Emergency App or call the Vic Emergency Hotline 1800 226 226.

No fires may be lit on Total Fire Ban days. On Catastrophic Fire Danger Rating days this park will be closed for public safety. Closure signs will be erected but do not expect an official warning.

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

 
The exterior of the shelter at Stony Creek Campground

Stony Creek Campground

Stony Creek Group Campground is available for schools or groups of up to 16 people undertaking overnight walks such as the Grampians Peaks Trail in the Wonderland and Mt Rosea areas. Vehicle accessible off Stony Creek road, this camping areas has a drop toilet, elevated timber tent platforms, a group gathering area and a day use shelter available. Bookings apply.
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 tent and fireplace at Boreang Campground in the Grampians National Park

Boreang Campground

There are many locations for camping in the central region of the Grampians National Park including, Smiths Mill Campground, Borough Huts Campground, Boreang Campground and Jimmy Creek.
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