Where can you go to experience awesome mountain ranges, an abundance of colourful wild flowers, stunning natural habitat home to Australia’s most iconic creatures, waterfalls, lakes and bushwalking trails all in close vicinity? Well there truly is a place that offers all of this and more and it’s called The Grampians National Park.
The Grampians is a series of 5 magnificent sandstone ridges rising up out of the plains of Western Victoria, creating a striking contrast of landscape and some jaw dropping panoramic vistas. It’s a photographer’s dream, a hiker’s dream, a wine lover’s dream, a rock climber’s dream – hell, just a dream!
The beauty of The Grampians is that it offers something for everyone and in bucket loads. Memories of the office back home and the long list of ‘to-do’s fade into thin air as though they never existed when faced with the extraordinary beauty and splendour of nature doing its thing – just being nature. That all encompassing feeling of how insignificant life’s little worries really are when greeting the powerful forces of nature face to face and realising that the world really is a sensational place!
You’ll be spoilt for choice in the ways you can enjoy your stay in The Grampians region, but here are some ideas.

Outdoor Activities

‘These boots were made for walking’....an apt tune to be humming as you bushwalk through this region of outstanding natural beauty! Two feet is definitely the way to go, so you can lose yourself in one trail after another discovering a rushing waterfall here, a wedge-tailed eagle’s hideaway nest there and all the while stumbling upon vistas that leave you bursting with happiness. You’ll lose all concept of time, so leave plenty of it and take an overnight trek or two if you can squeeze it in, you’ll be amply rewarded.
With names like Mount Difficult and Mount Abrupt you’d be forgiven for thinking that hiking in this region is for experts, but you couldn’t be further from the truth.
For water lovers, try a spot of fishing on one of the picturesque lakes or canoeing with the mountain ranges peering over your shoulders as you paddle.
For an altogether different perspective, The Grampians is a rock climber’s paradise, offering more climbs in one location than just about anywhere else in Australia. With routes to suit every level from rookie to sport climbing pro, the world is your oyster. The gorgeously named ‘Summer Day Valley’ is a particular favourite with climbers for its diversity, great accessibility and glorious views. 

4WD

If you enjoy the thrills and spills of a decent 4WD adventure, then this region has some surprises in store for you, with rough tracks zigzagging their way through bush and trails. The terrain can be challenging in places with steep descents, narrow valley floors, mountain streams and fast flowing creeks, but then that’s what makes it fun and you know you wouldn’t have it any other way!

Flora

You’ve seen those images in the coffee table books, of meadows full to the brim with spectacular displays of wild flowers stretching as far as the eye can see. Then you read on and see that the photographer travelled for weeks in hazardous conditions to some isolated out of reach alpine destination where the window for capturing the shot was never guaranteed. Sigh, if only life could be simple. Well now it is. The floral abundance in The Grampian region is almost a dead cert between August and October, in terrain accessible to all. So if flowers are your thing, bring your camera and a picnic rug and you’ll be in floral heaven. Power to the flowers!

Wildlife

The diversity of the terrain makes this region just perfect for wildlife and bird spotting because it is a natural habitat for so many species. It literally ‘pops’ with some of Australia’s most loved creatures – kangaroos, koalas, possums, bandicoots, emus , wedge-tailed eagles and those crazy kookaburras!
There are wildlife tours widely available and often with a good deal of emphasis on conservation, making for a fascinating tour. Either which way, you’ll inevitably find yourself in constant company be it on a trek of your own or an organised group so camera at the ready!

Wine Tasting

The Grampians region is internationally renowned for producing top cool climate wines, in particular Shiraz. To make the most of what’s on offer there is even a scenic circuit through the Grampians, Pyrenees and Ballarat regions, called the Great Grape Road. The road runs through the vineyard district of all 3 regions, enabling you to stop off at wineries that take your fancy in order to taste some of the finest grape grown in the whole of Australia. Most winemakers in the region offer an open cellar door policy, loving the opportunity to share their knowledge and produce.
Western Victoria wines are especially known for their strong berry flavours. As if this wasn’t tempting enough, the region is also known for its outstanding locally produced organic produce so you can sample the whole gourmet experience.

Getting to the Grampians

Halls Gap is the main tourist destination to head for in order to begin your Grampians trip. A very picturesque little town in the heart of the Grampians, set in a scenic valley, Halls Gap is the obvious base for visitors to the region and is only a 3 hour drive north-west of Melbourne (yet a world away from it all).

Sleeping

Ever slept in sheep shearer’s quarters? Well now’s your chance! Or how about camping by wilderness trails drinking your cocoa or a gin and tonic under a canopy of stars? Or perhaps you’d prefer all the trimmings of a luxury lodge complete with hearty breakfast. It’s all possible as the Grampians region caters to all tastes and budgets. What is unique is that the vistas are not just the reserve of top end accommodation - you can be assured of stunning views from just about anywhere! How about being right in the thick of it with a holiday cottage in the bush or a cabin with a crackling log fire in the wintertime? The possibilities are endless.