A guide will accompany you each day as you walk between 6 and 20 km. There’s some relatively challenging climbs but we will take our time, enjoying the vistas along the way.
The itinerary may alter depending on local conditions and weather.
Day 1: Drive from Melbourne. Walk Mt Zero to Mt Stapylton and Coppermine.
6 km
We depart Melbourne’s CBD at 8 a.m. and head to the spectacular Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park, which covers the ancestral land of the Djab Wurrung and Jadawadjali. On our way to the northern tip of the Grampians Peaks trail, we stop in Ballarat for morning tea, before heading to Mt Zero for a picnic lunch. Enjoy the first of many fresh picnic lunches for the week, get to know your walking companions, and see if we can spot some kangaroos, wallabies and maybe even emu. Today’s walk is a relatively challenging one. A very short distance, but the occasional hard climb. From Mt Zero, the trail leads through a rock amphitheatre to the summit of Mt Stapylton. Here we will be rewarded with breathtaking views overlooking the Wimmera Plains. From Mt Stapylton, the trail descends towards where the trail intersects with the road near an old copper mine. Here, the end guide will wait for you to take you back to Halls Gap. After checking in at our accommodation, enjoy a well-deserved warm shower and mingle with your fellow walkers over some nibbles and lovely dinner.
Image credit: Parks Victoria
Day 2: Roses Gap to Lake Wartook
19 km
Today we head to Roses Gap, where the trail intersects with the road just beyond the gap. From here, the trail ascends past seasonal cascading waterfalls, before climbing hard to Mt Difficult. As we hike up and down the Difficult Eastern escarpment, enjoy and be inspired by the great views. To the east lies the Pyrenees and the Black Range, and to the west the Wartook basin. Just before Werdug, the hiker’s campground overlooking Lake Wartook, the trail intersects with Mt Difficult Road, which marks the end of our walk today. Enjoy a scenic drive through Lake Wartook back to Halls Gap.
Day 3: Halls Gap to The Pinnacle via Grand Canyon. Sundial Peak and MacKenzie Falls.
12 km
Today is full of exploration of the jewels the Grampians have to offer. Our walk starts from Halls Gap with a climb up and out of the township. We walk past Venus baths, Elephant Hide and the spectacular Grand Canyon (not to be confused with its American big brother!) before we make our way to the top of The Pinnacle. From this popular lookout, we will enjoy excellent views over Halls Gap and its surroundings. From The Pinnacle it is easier to walk to Sundial Peak for another vantage point over Halls Gap. We will track a little from Sundial to meet the bus in the Rosea car park. Although we may finish a little earlier, we have plenty more to explore. We take you to one of the most popular waterfalls for a refreshing swim. As soon as we arrive at McKenzie Falls, it is a short walk down a few steps to the plunge pool. You can choose to take a refreshing dip or simply sit on one of the boulders and take everything in. On our way back to Halls Gap, we will stop at the famous Reed Lookout to complete a wonderful day full of spectacular views.
Day 4 Mt William (Duwul) to Jimmy Creek
20 km
Today we go to one of the highlights of the park, Mt Duwul (Mt William). At 1,167 metres, Duwul is the highest point in Grampians National Park and offers great 360-degree views of mountain ranges and open plains. We will drive to the car park at the base from where our walk starts. A steady climb will take us to the summit for our reward… awe inspiring views! From here, we tackle another steep section to the Boundary Gap, which leads us across the magnificent Major Mitchell Plateau and Durd Durd. From Durd Durd, it is a long descent to Jimmy Creek Road. The second guide and bus await us here and take us back to Halls Gap for a well-deserved shower and dinner.
Day 5: Jimmy Creek to Wannon
18 km
We will return to where we had finished the walk the day before. From here, it is a climb up to a challenging ridge line with views to the east and into Yarram. This is the most remote part of the Grampians Peaks Trail, so take a deep breath and be inspired by the natural beauty around you. The trail then descends through the Hidden Valley, crosses Yarram Gap Road, follows a ridge line with views west of the Sierrra Range, and then leads to an intersection with the Grampian tourist drive. The tourist drive of Grampians marks the end of another beautiful day deep in the wilderness of the Gariwerd.
Day 6: Mt Sturgeon and Dunkeld. Drive to Melbourne
6.4 km
It is time to say goodbye to the wonderful Halls Gap and slowly make our way back to Melbourne. But before we do, we have a last highlight to share with you. After packing up in the morning, we make our way to the southern end of the Grampians, where we complete parts of the last section of the Grampians Peaks Trail. We slowly make our way to the peak of Mt Sturgeon for our last views of these truly unique mountain ranges. From Mt Sturgeon, we drive to Dunkeld, where you have time to pick up some lunch (own cost) and wander through this rather quaint town. From Dunkeld, we will return to Melbourne via Ballarat and should return to the city in the late afternoon.
Beautiful walks in the daytime, relax with fellow walkers each evening
As much as this walk is a fantastic outdoor experience, it’s also a social experience, giving you a chance to enjoy the companionship and support of like-minded people.
Enjoy a cuppa with a slice cake for morning tea and a fresh healthy lunch, surrounded by nature. Every day is finished off by a delicious dinner together with the group.