Grampians Walks

Guide book for the Grampians Peaks Trail

Other Grampians walks updates

MacKenzie Falls is closed

Recent investigations at Mackenzie Falls have revealed a significant rockfall risk. As a result, Parks Victoria has closed MacKenzie Falls for visitor safety. They are working to assess and manage the risk and plan to have access restored once safety can be ensured.

Parks Victoria has removed these stepping stones as well

You can still enjoy views of Mackenzie Falls from Cranages Lookout and Mackenzie Falls Lookout. The Broken Falls viewing platform is also accessible. Both of these places are accessed from the MacKenzie Falls Carpark.

The western access walking track from Zumsteins is open to the upper section of Fish Falls. From this point the walking track closed. It’s a fabulous walk to Fish Falls so that would be our recommendation in the interim.

Parks Victoria received significant funding to redevelop the MacKenzie Falls area. They are hoping to create a one-way loop track and a viewing platform perched over the river. Stay tuned for updates.

MacKenzie Falls is closed so walk to Fish Falls instead
Magnificent Fish Falls

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Red Centre – a guide book by the same authors

While staying in the area, check out the accommodation, dining and activities that can be done at Grampians Tourism.

Mt Victory Rd is open again

Mt Victory Rd will open Friday 18th November

The Department of Transport is managing a construction project to realign a section of Mount Victory Road impacted by a landslip.

While excavation works were underway, a section of Mt Victory Road has been closed to traffic between the intersections of Wonderland Road and Silverband Road.

The rock excavation works are almost completed and on Friday 18 November by 5pm, Mt Victory Road will be reopened to shuttle flow traffic while the realignment works continue. Speed restrictions and traffic management will be in place for safe travel.

The full realignment works are expected to be completed by mid-December 2022.

MacKenzie Falls walks will be affected by the Mt Victory Rd temporary closure
During the Mt Victory Rd temporary closure, MacKenzie Falls must be accessed via the northern Grampians

If you are planning to detour this closure using unsealed roads within the park, please note that these roads are very slippery and rough due to on-going wet weather.  Parks Victoria recommends 4WD vehicles on unsealed roads during the closure.

Access to Wonderland Carpark

During the Mt Victory Rd closure, access to Wonderland Carpark will be available from Halls Gap, however this carpark will be extremely busy with limited parking. Parks Victoria recommends that caravans and large buses should not enter this area due to limited parking and turning space

For further information on walking in the Grampians National Park or how to access other areas in the park during these works, please call into Brambuk the National Park Centre in Halls Gap or a local Visitor Information Centre.

When Parks Victoria open the Mt Victory Rd? Once earthworks are complete, Mt Victory Road will reopen to one lane as crews continue work. Traffic management will be in place to safely guide vehicles through the site in both directions. We’re sure there will be long delays. We’ve been told that realignment works will be completed by mid-December 2022. Stay tuned. Please plan ahead when travelling and visit Regional Roads Victoria website for further project information.

For ongoing updates about these changes, please visit the Regional Roads Victoria page  https://regionalroads.vic.gov.au/map/grp_resurface_fye22/mt-victory-road-halls-gap

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GPT Updates

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Our favourite Eats in the Grampians

Red Centre – a guide book by the same authors

While staying in the area, check out the accommodation, dining and activities that can be done at Grampians Tourism.

Make your Grampians walking comfortable

Grampians walking is an interesting and unique experience, somewhat different to walks in most other eastern seaboard locations. There are several considerations that can make your Grampians walking more comfortable.

Part of the Wonderland Range above Halls Gap
The Grampians offers stunning hiking on rocky terrain

Many rocky areas to cross

It’s no secret that people usually walk in footwear that’s comfortable and available, from lightweight runners to sturdy boots. A few years ago I happily walked 1200km on European walking tracks wearing a pair of running shoes, but I wouldn’t try such lightweight shoes in the Grampians. Here, I alternate between heavier sporting shoes and purpose-made walking boots with ankle protection and thick patterned soles. Which ones I use depends on how wet/dry I expect the route to be, whether I have blisters that need to be rested / protected, or how much loose rock I expect along my chosen walk. If you don’t know what to expect, I suggest that you simply adjust your footwear to something more durable than you’d usually use to help make your Grampians walking comfortable.

Many of our walk introductions have a comment on the walking track, so if it sounds like a tough one, I’d suggest proper walking boots from a specialist bushwalking store.

A section of rocky stair way near Dunkeld in the southern Grampians.
Many rocky steps take their toll, unless you wear sturdy boots

Steep terrain

While most of the new Grampians Peaks Trail (GPT) is well constructed, many of the older Grampians tracks have rough, uneven and heavily eroded segments. Take your time on all ups and downs, set a steady, comfortable pace and stick with that pace. We also recommend a walking pole or two for the steep downhill stuff, where a pole can be used to lessen the impact on tender knees.

Some track sections in the Grampians are little more than a rough route.
Walking poles will help with terrain like this. Use them to put weight onto them when descending. When you are climbing up, put them behind you and use them for extra leverage.

Not a lot of tree cover or shade

In the warmer months, a combination of sunny days and rocky areas will often have you feeling like grilled toast. Though there is plenty of useful information out there about wearing hats, drinking water and applying sunscreen, my extra tip is to wear short trousers and a lightweight long-sleeve shirt with a stiff collar. Cotton or breathable synthetic are the best shirt materials.

Shirt collars protect necks from the sun, buttons can be adjusted to provide more/less cooling airflow and sleeves can be easily rolled up or down to suit the conditions. The bottom of the shirt can be tucked into trousers for more warmth, or worn loose for coolness.

Short trousers allow cooling airflow for more comfort. Zip-off legs provide the same benefit.

Historic fluming along a section of the GPT
Phil wears his hat and shorts all of the time, no matter what the weather throws at him

Written by Phil Coleman

Book review by Sarah Roberts (verified owner) – February 1, 2022
What a thorough book! I am so glad to have ordered this. Maps, descriptions, information about start and end locations, distances, route type, water, etc. Probably the best route book I’ve come across for any parks/trail area!

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GPT Updates

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Our favourite Eats in the Grampians

Red Centre – a guide book by the same authors

While staying in the area, check out the accommodation, dining and activities that can be done at Grampians Tourism.

Mt Difficult Rd

The section of Mt Difficult Rd beyond Boroka Lookout is unsealed. It has recently been graded and has had new gravel spread in the worst places. We took a 2WD car along it today and it was fine. How long it stays that way is anybody’s guess!

There’s also a new roundabout on Mt Victory Rd where you turn right onto Mt Difficult Rd. This makes the turn much safer.

Which walks can be accessed from Mt Difficult Rd?

Whilst the road is in good condition there’s great access to various walks including:

Walk 5: GPT section down to Halls Gap

Walk 28: Mt Difficult the shortest way

Walk 29: Mt Difficult Loop Hike

Walk 42: Boroka Lookout from Wonderland Carpark

Mt Difficult circuit hike
Approaching Mt Difficult
On the GPT section on the Mt Difficult Range
Autumn fog on the GPT from Mt Difficult Rd to Halls Gap.
One minute there’s great views – the next it’s all gone!

Home

Shop books

Other blogs

GPT Updates

Other Grampians Walks Updates

Outdoor Equipment Stores

Walking Tour Operators

Our favourite Eats in the Grampians

Red Centre – a guide book by the same authors

While staying in the area, check out the accommodation, dining and activities that can be done at Grampians Tourism.

Autumn burning off in the national park

Parks Victoria is conducting it’s Autumn burning off in quite a few parts of the national park. There will be smoke visible from some of the walking tracks.

Planned burning will close sections of the Grampians Peaks Trail and key visitor sites at short notice from March to June, 2022. It is important you consider this interruption when planning your trip.    

Planned burning is a critical part of park management and reducing bushfire risk in the Grampians National Park. The right weather conditions are needed for a safe and effective burn- cool to warm temperatures, very little wind, no rain. These are the same great conditions for a trip to the park! Because planned burning is so dependent on the right weather conditions, we cannot give exact dates or times when they will occur.

 

Stony Creek burn update

All visitor access areas now open. Forest Fire Management Victoria (FFMV) ignited the Stony Creek burn on Friday 25 March. Crews are continuing to monitor the burn and manage any issues associated with the burn.

Boroka Lookout burn update

The weather conditions were not favourable to undertake the Boroka Lookout burn that was scheduled on Sunday 27 March. FFMV will continue to monitor this area over the next few weeks for favourable weather conditions, outside of high visitor times. 

 

Cranages Road Burn – Ignited Tuesday 29 March 2022

Now open:

  • MacKenzie Falls walking tracks and visitor site
  • Zumsteins walking track, between Zumsteins and the base of MacKenzie Falls, including Fish Falls
  • Smiths Mill Campground
  • Lake Wartook Rd into Lake Wartook
  • Chinaman Track
  • Mt Difficult Rd between Boroka Lookout and Lake Wartook
  • Rose creek Road between Mt Victory Road and Old Mill road
  • Old Mill Road between Smiths Mill Campground and Boroka Lookout 

Staying informed – How can I find out about a burn near me?

Sign up to receive free automated SMS and email notifications about any upcoming FFMVic and CFA planned burns at www.vic.gov.au/plannedburns.

Click here to opt-in for email updates from the Wimmera Fire district about scheduled planned burns in the Grampians National Park.

If travelling in the local area, to seek advice about detours or other areas see, visit Brambuk the National Park and Cultural Centre, or a local Visitor Information Centre surrounding the park.

Call – For information and advice on campground bookings and cancellations contact Parks Victoria on 13 1963.

For general planned burn information you can also contact The VicEmergency Hotline on 1800 226 226

Smoke and Your Health You may see and smell smoke from planned burns. For advice on how this may impact your health, visit https://www.epa.vic.gov.au/smoke

Dial 000 IN AN EMERGENCY

Home

Shop books

Other blogs

GPT Updates

Other Grampians Walks Updates

Outdoor Equipment Stores

Walking Tour Operators

Our favourite Eats in the Grampians

Red Centre – a guide book by the same authors

While staying in the area, check out the accommodation, dining and activities that can be done at Grampians Tourism.