Grampians Gariwerd National Park Fire Recovery

Project status

Updated April 2025

Parks Victoria has completed initial risk and damage assessments across the park and is implementing a staged re-opening process for visitor sites.
Over the next three months Parks Victoria is delivering $1.88million of initial recovery works, focusing on critical biodiversity and urgent visitor site recovery in the fire area.
There are many popular areas currently open for visitors to enjoy including MacKenzie Falls, sections of the Grampians Peaks Trail, and campgrounds, listed here.

The project

The Grampians-Yarram Gap bushfire ignited on 17 December 2024, due to dry lightning, quickly spreading through the southern Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park.

Extreme weather and dry vegetation exacerbated the situation, affecting both the heritage listed national park and adjacent private lands.

Parks Victoria is leading a fire recovery project, working with other agencies as part of the whole of government recovery response.

The recovery project includes impact assessments, clearing debris from camping areas, hazardous tree assessment and removal, roads and tracks repair, and planning, scoping and rebuilding of park infrastructure.

Background

The 2024-5 summer fires in the Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park had widespread impacts, resulting in the closure of some visitor sites including campgrounds, roads and walking tracks and sections of the Grampians Peaks Trail.

On January 27, additional fires ignited from another lightning band in the western area, burning large sections of the park, including Victoria Range, Victoria Point, Victoria Valley, and Wallaby Rocks.

In total, the fires burned 135,000 hectares—nearly 80% of the park—severely impacting biodiversity, cultural places, and visitor assets in the south-eastern, southern, and western areas.

Recovery efforts began as soon as possible, including predator control, habitat monitoring (Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby), and Blackfish relocation. Traditional Owners implemented strategic fire management to protect key cultural sites.

The fires also caused significant revenue loss for tourism businesses in the region. Forest Fire Management Victoria (FFMVic) and Parks Victoria are continuing impact assessments and stabilisation works, collaborating with Emergency Recovery Victoria, local government, and other agencies.

Acknowledgement

We acknowledge that the fire has affected the Country of the Djab Wurrung, Jadawadajali and Gunditjmara peoples who have occupied, cultivated and shaped the Gariwerd Landscape for thousands of generations. The Nationally Heritage Listed bio-cultural landscape reflects countless generations of skills, knowledge and culture.

Bushfire impacted landscape can be seen from the Boroka Lookout in the Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park.

Boroka Lookout, Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park, February 2025

Project timeline

Fire and flood recovery projects are complex and can take time. The safety of staff and contractors working in the park is a priority as is ensuring natural and cultural values in the landscape can be properly identified, assessed and protected.

Parks Victoria is working with Forest Fire Management Victoria, to complete environmental, cultural and built asset impact assessments. Initial Rapid Risk Assessments were undertaken by a team of specialists to inform Parks Victoria, Forest Fire Management Victoria and Emergency Recovery Victoria of the damage, priority risk and approximate costs for risk treatment.

Most areas in the park have since been reopend to the public. A detailed timeline for the park to fully reopen to the public will be determined as planning and assessments are completed. Further funding will be needed to undertake these works.

Three months after the Grampians bushifres, Xanthorrhoea or grass trees show their amazing ability to survive a variety of different fire regimes as the living growth is buried within the old dead leaf bases.

Fire-adapted plants like the native flowering grass trees (Xanthorrhoea) are regenerating after the fires.

Environmental Recovery

Biodiversity recovery programs commenced during the fire and will continue to ensure the long-term recovery process for the landscape, wildlife and water. Pest animal control measures will also be implemented, including the control of foxes and cats.

Managing Country Together with Traditional Owners

Parks Victoria are working with the Barengi Gadjin Land Council, Eastern Maar Aboriginal Corporation and the Gunditj Mirring Aboriginal Corporation during this recovery project.

Who are we working with?

Forest Fire Management Victoria, local shires, water catchment authorities and tourism agencies.

Access changes

Fire affected areas of the park will be closed until they can be safely reopened for visitors to experience whilst allowing the landscape to recover in the heritage listed National Park.

Many popular areas open for visitors to enjoy. For more detail visit the Grampians (Gariwerd) National park webpage, or Brambuk, The National Park and Cultural Centre in Halls Gap and speak with our friendly staff.

Related information

Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park – An Inspirational Landscape for Travellers

What’s Open in the Grampians Post-Summer Fires