Grampians Walks

Guide book for the Grampians Peaks Trail

Grampians Peaks Trail

Changes to the GPT campsite booking system

GPT campsite booking system to become fairer and easier

Parks Victoria is making long awaited improvements to the GPT booking system. These changes will make it easier to book and provide more flexibility.  As a result it will now be possible to do a single night booking, skip campgrounds and enjoy more rest days along the way.

Changes will include:

  • More single night options   
  • Skip a hike-in campground to hike longer distances in a single day
  • Hike in either direction: north-to-south (recommended) or south-to-north
  • Options for an extra rest day(s) in Halls Gap (if hiking through)
  • Book easily using an interactive map (rather than set itineraries)
GPT hikers' camp at Djardij-djawara
The campsite at Djardij-djawara is one of the sites that has a fabulous communal shelter

It’s not happening straight away though!

The updates to the booking system will be implemented by September 2023. Therefore you can opt to book now or wait until the system offers more flexibility when booking for Spring.

The new updates will allow hikers to change their booking in line with the booking Terms and Conditions.

To book GPT campsites

Hikers’ campsites can be booked via Grampians Peaks Trail.

Bugiga campsite on the Grampians Peaks Trail
Platforms to pitch your tent at Bugiga camp

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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 Difficult: Minor change to route for Walk 4

This change affects the GPT Day Walk from Longpoint E Access to Mt Difficult Rd.

The 4WD track at Longpoint E Access is no longer being maintained by Parks Victoria and is quite overgrown. The best way to deal with this is to start Walk 4 at Longpoint West Access, where you finished Walk 3.

Hiking in the Grampians
Expansive views on the GPT

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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

Home

Shop books

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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.

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!

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.

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.