Central Grampians Drive
Suitable for people with tight deadlines, this half day drive highlights many of the National Park’s most popular attractions.
From Halls Gap, follow Mt Victory Road past the Elephants Hide. Turn right at Mt Difficult Road and continue to Boroka lookout. A short walk from the car park (suitable for people with limited mobility), provides spectacular views across Halls Gap and the Wonderland Range. Return to Mt Victory Road and continue to Reed lookout.
Enjoy awe inspiring views over the Victoria Valley.An easy 30-45 minute return stroll takes you through Stringybark forest and rocky outcrops to the famous Balconies rock formation. Return to Mt Victory Road, turn left
and continue to Mackenzie Falls. Choose either a steep walk to the base of the falls or a flat ridge-top trail that overlooks the falls. To finish the drive, return again to Mt Victory Road; turn right and travel down the valley to Zumsteins Picnic Area. Enjoy a short historic walk or a quiet picnic near the river.
View Larger Map
Great Grampians, Little Desert Touring Route
Contrast the majestic Grampians with the subtle experiences of the Little Desert. Discover Mount Arapiles and Horsham and you will want to return again and again.
Horsham, a lively city centrally located in the Wimmera, is the perfect base to stop and explore, with excellent opportunities for shopping, dining, entertainment and accommodation. Start your tour from Horsham, or Halls Gap and venture over the mountains. The region’s national parks are home to more than 200 species of birds and several species of kangaroo and wallaby. Tread softly in the Little Desert and you might even catch a glimpse of the remarkable Mallee Fowl.
Enjoy natural heritage attractions and majestic mountain ranges with a Great Grampians and Little Desert tour.Discover picturesque Wartook Valley and Mount Arapiles, Victoria’s Ayer’s Rock. This fascinating rock is world famous as a rock climbing destination, although visitors can also walk, cycle or drive to the top to experience the breathtaking views. Wildflowers are spectacular from July to November and form a kaleidoscope of colour. Wartook Valley offers mountain views and native wildlife, secluded creeks and spectacular waterfalls. Olive groves, famous for their gourmet produce, dot the northern face of the Grampians, opening up to the plains and distant views of Mount Arapiles.
Grampians, Gardens and Grandeur - Southern Grampians Touring Route
This touring route combines the spectacular scenery of the rugged Grampians mountain range with rich pastoral heritage
Along the route, experience the tranquil Dunkeld Arboretum, spring wildflowers and excellent views from the Grampians’ Piccaninny, Mount Sturgeon and Mount Abrupt. Historic Penshurst features quaint bluestone buildings, Wetlands Garden and is home to the Volcanoes Discovery Centre. From the peak of extinct volcano, Mount Rouse, view the landscape of the surrounding volcanic plains.
Discover the treasures from local homesteads at the renowned Hamilton Regional Art Gallery and visit the outstanding Hamilton Botanic Gardens.View the spectacular Wannon and Nigretta Falls en route to Coleraine, sample handmade chocolates at Glenelg Fine Confectionery and wander along the paths of Australia’s Official Eucalypt Collection at the Points Arboretum. Cavendish’s Settlers Walk on the banks of the Wannon River is a scenic spot to stop and meander along.
East Grampians Scenic Route
The East Grampians Scenic Route provides magnificent views along the eastern edge of the Grampians National Park.
Whilst in Ararat take a short drive to One Tree Hill scenic lookout and experience its 360 degree views of the Grampians
and Pyrenees ranges. Resume travelling along the Ararat-Halls Gap Road. At Moyston, the monument to Thomas Wills, cofounder and captain of the Melbourne Football Club (1859), commemorates the birthplace of Australian Rules Football.
A short drive and you will arrive in Pomonal, a pretty rural village on the eastern slopes of the Mount William Range. Pomonal was once famous for its apples, then tobacco and now noted for its native wildflowers and orchids with several commercial nurseries. The Pomonal Tunnel Walking Track starts here and down the road is the Halls Gap Zoo and The Gap Winery. Early October has the Pomonal Hall hosting the annual Wildflower Festival.
After visiting Halls Gap and the National Park make your return journey through Stawell for a different perspective. Enjoy a historic tour of the town and visit the Stawell Gift Hall of Fame. Next stop en route is Great Western, a charming village that is home to local iconic wineries, Seppelt and Best’s. New wineries, galleries and cafés have since developed. The East Grampians Scenic Route adds up to a great area to stay sample and savour!
Pyrenees-Grampians
Detour through the Pyrenees to visit the many wineries, country towns and villages and mountain ranges popular with mountain bikers and hikers alike.
Leave the Western Highway at Ballarat for the Sunraysia Highway and Waubra, site of one of the largest wind power projects in Australia with 128 turbines. Nearby the Quoin Hill Vineyard has converted old stables into a cellar door/tasting room with refreshments and lunches available on weekends.
Continue to the village of Lexton and pick up a copy of the interpreted Historic Town Walk brochure from the Community Centre and stretch your legs. Get a feel for one of Victoria’s earliest inland towns and its picturesque valley.
A short drive and you arrive at Avoca, a handy base to experience the wineries of the Pyrenees. The town is another reminder of earlier times, broad streets and characteristic architecture so aligned with gold discoveries in the mid 19th century.The main street hosts galleries, antique shops and eateries and is surrounded by over 30 wineries, including some of Australia’s most established brands. Uncover the distinctive flavours and styles that make this region a popular destination for wine lovers.
