Amenities & Attractions

If you have half a day when you arrive in the Gramps and don’t feel like doing any more driving, the Chatauqua Peak loop is a really good introduction to the area. Taking between 1.5 and 2 hours, the walk can be done as an up-and-back or a loop, and offers a wonderful view back over Halls Gap, to Lake Bellfield and down the valley that divides the Grampians. The walk starts from the Halls Gap oval car park.  

The Pinnacle is the most popular (and most populated) walk in the Gramps and with good reason. Walk from Sundial or Wonderland Car Park but be prepared for many people on the same track or, our favourite, walk from Halls Gap up via Venus Baths (from the back of the botanical gardens or the back of the caravan park near the swimming pool). 

McKenzie Falls: the ‘grandest’ waterfalls. We walk there from Zumsteins via Fish Falls: an easy gradual incline with a very pretty track along the river and a lovely gorge at the end, before reaching the falls. Much more rewarding than simply driving to the lookout and Fish Falls is one of our favourite river swim spots in the Gramps.. 

Mount Abrupt  – a personal favourite of the ‘Mount’ walks (although they are all good). Panoramic views of the Southern Gramps and a great excuse to visit Dunkeld and the Royal Mail Hotel, the latter almost undoubtedly offering the best dining available in the Grampians. The Royal Mail has a top selection of local wines and has a genuine commitment to promoting local foods, wines and artists. The drive down from Halls Gap is very picturesque.

Hollow Mountain and / or Mount Stapleton.  Hollow Mountain can be done by itself or as a loop with Mount Stapleton, (a serious hike), but pretty awesome and at least one hiking book rates it in the top 10 hikes in Australia. Either walk is a great excuse to visit the Northern Gramps which have a distinctly ‘Nevada-esque / deserty feel’. Beehive falls and Mount Zero are good short walks in the north.

Driving to the Northern Gramps: If you don’t mind driving and take a full day, this is a great loop – Mount Victory Road to Wartook (through the heart of the Grampians) to Roses Gap and then back round along Mount Zero Road (dirt) to Halls Gap, which has wonderful views of the Northern Gramps. It is less than a 2 hour drive, and there are an abundance of possible stops-for-walks-or-views along the way: Mckenzie Falls, the Balconies, Wartook Lake, Beehive Falls, Mount Zero, Hollow Mountain, The Pines to mention a few.

A T Richardson – a less known winery with excellent quality wines that are arguably the best value for money in the district. Web site photos by yours truly, and, disclosure, these guys are good friends.

Bests Winery: probably the best in the district – excellent wine and ‘probably’ only because there are many good wineries around! 

Seppelt: the most renowned – and oldest – winery of the region. Some excellent wines and a recommendable winery tour (very interesting history). 

Also noteworthy – closer to Halls Gap, and both good spots for a glass of wine and a cheese platter if you are passing by: Pomonal Estate (also good for craft beer) and Montara. 

A Couple of other Recommendations … 

James McMurtrie Glass Blowing Gallery – beautiful hand-blown glass ‘art’ work. Studio / gallery open weekends and Monday–Wednesday mornings when they blow glass, a mesmerising procedure. Excellent gift ideas and work sells at the workshop far cheaper than it is sold in Melbourne based galleries. (Disclosure – these are our neighbours and very good friends and yes, we have bought many friends and family members gifts from this gallery!) 

Halls Gap Zoo – rated one of the best regional zoos in Victoria. 

Hanging out With Earl – if climbing is your thing, or you would like to try it out, Earl is a local guide and instructor (he has taught my kids), a great local character, very talkative and someone whose knowledge of the Grampians is exceptional.