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Australia🇦🇺 | national parksGrampians National ParkGariwerd ridges, Pinnacle lookout, MacKenzie Falls, Brambuk centre | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in Grampians
🌟 Highlightnational park ranked #8
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 15, 2026

Grampians National Park, also called Gariwerd, is not a single mountain range but a set of sandstone ridges that run north to south, so one view never covers it. It sits in the state of Victoria, in southeastern Australia, west of Melbourne. The trails are well marked and the rock is steep, which means the Pinnacle lookout hands you a huge plain for a few hours of puffing. Wallabies and emus wander the Halls Gap edges, and kangaroos lounge on the oval at dusk like they own the lease. Crowds thicken on school holidays, and a car helps a lot. One morning I paid A$7.50 for a meat pie in Halls Gap and ate it on a bench while a cockatoo stared at me with open contempt. After that, the sandstone cliffs of Mount William glowed orange above the town.

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✨ Why go?
Ranked #8 national park in AustraliaReasons people choose to explore here

Backpackers come for more than 160 kilometers of walking tracks that you can string together at your own pace, without a guide. The range is compact enough that you can base yourself near Halls Gap and still reach very different terrain: shaded fern gullies, open heath, and exposed rock platforms with long views. Self-guided travel is the natural fit here, because tracks are signposted, trailheads sit beside sealed roads, and the visitor center in Halls Gap hands out maps and conditions updates.

The Grampians Peaks Trail, a multi-day route with hike-in campsites, gives serious walkers a proper long-distance challenge on the same ridgelines day walkers see in pieces. The park is also among the richest places in Australia for Aboriginal rock art, with sites that tell you something no lookout … read more 👉
Backpackers come for more than 160 kilometers of walking tracks that you can string together at your own pace, without a guide. The range is compact enough that you can base yourself near Halls Gap and still reach very different terrain: shaded fern gullies, open heath, and exposed rock platforms with long views. Self-guided travel is the natural fit here, because tracks are signposted, trailheads sit beside sealed roads, and the visitor center in Halls Gap hands out maps and conditions updates.

The Grampians Peaks Trail, a multi-day route with hike-in campsites, gives serious walkers a proper long-distance challenge on the same ridgelines day walkers see in pieces. The park is also among the richest places in Australia for Aboriginal rock art, with sites that tell you something no lookout can. Spring wildflowers add a second reason to come, and the wildlife is easy to spot without trying.

💡 HighlightsMust-see experiences and standout moments

  1. The Pinnacle: The park’s signature lookout, with the Wonderland range and the town of Halls Gap spread below. You can walk up from Wonderland carpark or take the shorter route from Sundial carpark.
  2. Boroka Lookout: A short walk from the car park to a wide outlook over Halls Gap and Lake Bellfield. Good for sunsets with almost no effort.
  3. MacKenzie Falls: One of Victoria’s biggest waterfalls, dropping into a deep plunge pool. Steps down to the base are steep, and it runs best after rain.
  4. Reeds Lookout and The Balconies: A cliff platform that juts out over a drop, reached by an easy walk. Photographers love it for the sheer edge.
  5. Mount William: The highest point in the park, at 1,167 meters, with a steady climb on a sealed road or trail and views over the whole range.
  6. Bunjil’s Shelter and Gulgurn Manja:
… read more 👉
  1. The Pinnacle: The park’s signature lookout, with the Wonderland range and the town of Halls Gap spread below. You can walk up from Wonderland carpark or take the shorter route from Sundial carpark.
  2. Boroka Lookout: A short walk from the car park to a wide outlook over Halls Gap and Lake Bellfield. Good for sunsets with almost no effort.
  3. MacKenzie Falls: One of Victoria’s biggest waterfalls, dropping into a deep plunge pool. Steps down to the base are steep, and it runs best after rain.
  4. Reeds Lookout and The Balconies: A cliff platform that juts out over a drop, reached by an easy walk. Photographers love it for the sheer edge.
  5. Mount William: The highest point in the park, at 1,167 meters, with a steady climb on a sealed road or trail and views over the whole range.
  6. Bunjil’s Shelter and Gulgurn Manja: Rock art sites that preserve Aboriginal paintings of great cultural importance. Respect the barriers and signs.
  7. Brambuk Cultural Centre: The place to learn about the Djab Wurrung and Jardwadjali peoples, who have lived here for thousands of years, and to buy local art.
  8. Silverband Falls: A quieter fall a short drive south of Halls Gap, wonderful in spring when wildflowers bloom around the creek.
Do the Pinnacle first, because clear early light shows the full lay of the land and makes every later walk easier to place.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

Things to do around Grampians National Park

Small-Group Grampians Great Wildlife Escape Day Trip with Hiking

Small-Group Grampians Great Wildlife Escape Day Trip with Hiking

4.9(197) 12h 30m
From €107
per personViator
Seppelt Wines Underground Cellar Tour

Seppelt Wines Underground Cellar Tour

4.9(100) 2h
From €17.62
per personViator
Rock Adventure Beginner Climb and Abseil

Rock Adventure Beginner Climb and Abseil

4.9(9) 3h
From €98
per personViator
Lake Fyans Canoeing Activity

Lake Fyans Canoeing Activity

5.0(3) 2h
From €79
per personViator
Rock Climbing and Abseiling Adventure at Dyurrite/Mt Arapiles

Rock Climbing and Abseiling Adventure at Dyurrite/Mt Arapiles

0.0(0) 4h
From €104
per personViator
Private Climbing Adventure at Mt Arapiles

Private Climbing Adventure at Mt Arapiles

0.0(0) 4h
From €362
per personViator

Ratings based on Tripadvisor reviews. When you book through this link, you support our work at no extra cost to you.

🌤️ When to go?Best time to explore Grampians

Spring (September to November) is the best window, because wildflowers peak and waterfalls still run. Here is how the year breaks down.
  • Spring (Sep to Nov): Days of 14 to 22°C (57 to 72°F), wildflower season, full waterfalls at Silverband and MacKenzie Falls. Daylight stretches to about 14 hours. School holidays in late September bring crowds and higher prices.
  • Summer (Dec to Feb): 25 to 35°C (77 to 95°F), with spells above 40°C (104°F). Waterfalls shrink, fire danger days close tracks, and Halls Gap is busiest around Christmas and January with peak rates.
  • Autumn (Mar to May): 15 to 25°C (59 to 77°F), stable skies, cool nights, kangaroos active on Halls Gap lawns. Easter is busy.
  • Winter (Jun to Aug): 5 to 12°C (41 to 54°F), frosts, occasional snow on summits, about 9.5 hours of daylight. Quiet
… read more 👉
Spring (September to November) is the best window, because wildflowers peak and waterfalls still run. Here is how the year breaks down.
  • Spring (Sep to Nov): Days of 14 to 22°C (57 to 72°F), wildflower season, full waterfalls at Silverband and MacKenzie Falls. Daylight stretches to about 14 hours. School holidays in late September bring crowds and higher prices.
  • Summer (Dec to Feb): 25 to 35°C (77 to 95°F), with spells above 40°C (104°F). Waterfalls shrink, fire danger days close tracks, and Halls Gap is busiest around Christmas and January with peak rates.
  • Autumn (Mar to May): 15 to 25°C (59 to 77°F), stable skies, cool nights, kangaroos active on Halls Gap lawns. Easter is busy.
  • Winter (Jun to Aug): 5 to 12°C (41 to 54°F), frosts, occasional snow on summits, about 9.5 hours of daylight. Quiet trails and the cheapest beds.
Book Halls Gap at least a month ahead for spring weekends and check the fire danger rating before any summer hike.


source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: good for travelingFEBFebruary: good for travelingMARMarch: highly recommended for travelingAPRApril: excellent for travelingMAYMay: highly recommended for travelingJUNJune: fair for travelingJULJuly: below average for travelingAUGAugust: fair for travelingSEPSeptember: highly recommended for travelingOCTOctober: excellent for travelingNOVNovember: highly recommended for travelingDECDecember: good for traveling
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🛏️ Where to stay?Where staying makes the most sense

Halls Gap is the best base, a small town inside the park with the widest range of beds. Backpacker options include Halls Gap Lodge YHA-style dorm rooms and Grampians Eco YHA, a hostel with dorms from about A$35 to 50 a night, a kitchen and a pool. Caravan parks such as Halls Gap Lakeside Tourist Park and Plantation Campground offer tent sites from roughly A$30 to 50 and cabins for groups.
Inside the park, Parks Victoria runs bush campgrounds at Borough Huts, Buandik, Jimmy Creek and Smiths Mill, with basic toilets and fire rules that change seasonally. Fees run about A$15 to 30 per site, booked … read more 👉
Halls Gap is the best base, a small town inside the park with the widest range of beds. Backpacker options include Halls Gap Lodge YHA-style dorm rooms and Grampians Eco YHA, a hostel with dorms from about A$35 to 50 a night, a kitchen and a pool. Caravan parks such as Halls Gap Lakeside Tourist Park and Plantation Campground offer tent sites from roughly A$30 to 50 and cabins for groups.
Inside the park, Parks Victoria runs bush campgrounds at Borough Huts, Buandik, Jimmy Creek and Smiths Mill, with basic toilets and fire rules that change seasonally. Fees run about A$15 to 30 per site, booked online. Roughly 20 minutes of driving gets you to Pomonal, a quieter village with a camping ground and cafes.
Dunkeld, at the southern end beneath Mount Sturgeon, has pubs and B&Bs and suits the southern Grampians walks. Stawell, about 30 minutes north of Halls Gap, offers motels and cheaper supermarkets.
Best hostels in Australia


Best quality hotels in Australia

👛 Costs (as of 15 October 2026)Travel costs and budget guide for Grampians

A backpacker covers Grampians National Park (Gariwerd) for roughly US$70 to 155 a day when camping and cooking most meals. Entry to the park is free, so your money goes mainly to sleeping, food and getting around.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Entrance feesUS$0No park entry charge. Some guided Aboriginal rock art tours and the Brambuk cultural centre programs cost extra.
CampingUS$15 to 30Parks Victoria campgrounds such as Borough Huts, Plantation and Smiths Mill charge per site per night, and most need booking online in school holidays. Bush camping is limited.
Hostels and cabinsUS$30 to 50 (dorm)Halls Gap has a backpacker hostel and caravan park cabins. Private rooms run US$100 to 170 and fill on long weekends.
Local transportUS$10 to 25Without a car, public transport is thin. Budget for
… read more 👉
A backpacker covers Grampians National Park (Gariwerd) for roughly US$70 to 155 a day when camping and cooking most meals. Entry to the park is free, so your money goes mainly to sleeping, food and getting around.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Entrance feesUS$0No park entry charge. Some guided Aboriginal rock art tours and the Brambuk cultural centre programs cost extra.
CampingUS$15 to 30Parks Victoria campgrounds such as Borough Huts, Plantation and Smiths Mill charge per site per night, and most need booking online in school holidays. Bush camping is limited.
Hostels and cabinsUS$30 to 50 (dorm)Halls Gap has a backpacker hostel and caravan park cabins. Private rooms run US$100 to 170 and fill on long weekends.
Local transportUS$10 to 25Without a car, public transport is thin. Budget for fuel shares, a rental car (US$45 to 80 a day) or a shuttle. Expect fuel near US$1.30 a liter.
Food and suppliesUS$15 to 30Halls Gap has a supermarket with higher prices than the cities. Bring staples from Ballarat or Horsham. A pub meal costs US$17 to 28.
ActivitiesUS$0 to 20Hiking to The Pinnacle, Mackenzie Falls and Mt Sturgeon is free. Tours and gear hire are optional extras.
Total Daily BudgetUS$70 to 155Based on high-season camping or dorm beds, shared transport and self-catered food.


source: parks.vic.gov.au
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

🥾 TrailsPlan your hike in Grampians: routes, terrain, and sights

The Grampians suit walkers of every level, from ten-minute lookout strolls to multi-day treks over sandstone ridges, ferny gullies and open heath.
  • Pinnacle Walk: About 4.2 km return from Wonderland carpark, roughly 2 to 3 hours, moderate. Passes Grand Canyon and Silent Street rock corridors, then climbs rock steps to the summit lookout.
  • Pinnacle from Sundial: About 2.1 km each way, roughly 2 hours return, moderate to hard. It is the easiest route, with only about 110 meters of ascent.
  • Grampians Peaks Trail: A multi-day route of around 160 km, with hike-in camps and sections of 1 to 3 days. Hard,
… read more 👉
The Grampians suit walkers of every level, from ten-minute lookout strolls to multi-day treks over sandstone ridges, ferny gullies and open heath.
  • Pinnacle Walk: About 4.2 km return from Wonderland carpark, roughly 2 to 3 hours, moderate. Passes Grand Canyon and Silent Street rock corridors, then climbs rock steps to the summit lookout.
  • Pinnacle from Sundial: About 2.1 km each way, roughly 2 hours return, moderate to hard. It is the easiest route, with only about 110 meters of ascent.
  • Grampians Peaks Trail: A multi-day route of around 160 km, with hike-in camps and sections of 1 to 3 days. Hard, with rocky climbs and exposed ridges.
  • MacKenzie Falls Walk: About 2 km return, roughly 1 hour, moderate. Steep steps lead to the base of the falls.
  • Boroka Lookout: A short, easy stroll of a few minutes, suitable for most people.
  • The Balconies: About 2 km return, roughly 1 hour, easy. Leads to a rock ledge over the valley.
Kangaroos, wallabies, emus and koalas are common around Halls Gap and the lower tracks, and birdlife is rich, including cockatoos and honeyeaters. Wildflowers peak in spring.

Public transport is limited, with a coach from Melbourne that stops at Halls Gap on certain days, so many walkers rent a car for the trailheads. Entry to the park is free, though hike-in camping on the Peaks Trail requires a booking. Crowds build around school holidays, long weekends and wildflower season, and sunny weekends fill the Pinnacle car parks. Summer can bring fire restrictions and track closures, so check conditions at the visitor center before you set off.
⚠️ Hiking info can sometimes be outdated or inaccurate. Before you hit the trail, check the latest conditions with locals. If you do spot anything that's off, I'd love to hear from you, so I can update it for fellow travelers.

🛡️ SafetySafety Tips and Common Scams in Grampians

The Grampians is well managed and straightforward, but heat and rock are what catch people out. Summer days can pass 35°C (95°F), so start hikes at sunrise, carry 3 liters of water per person and skip exposed ridges on Total Fire Ban days, when tracks and campgrounds can close. Check the VicEmergency app. Sandstone steps on The Pinnacle and Mount Abrupt are uneven and slick after rain, so wear shoes with grip. Multi-day sections of the Grampians Peaks Trail are signposted but have patchy phone coverage, so download maps offline. Kangaroos and emus are habituated around Halls Gap. Keep your distance and never feed them. Snakes sun on warm tracks in summer; step around them and wear closed shoes. Winter nights drop near freezing, so pack a warm layer.
Check Country Safety

FAQTraveler FAQ

Plan on 3 days to cover the main highlights, or 4 to 5 if you want a section of the Grampians Peaks Trail. In 3 days you can do The Pinnacle, MacKenzie Falls, Boroka Lookout and the Balconies. The full Grampians Peaks Trail takes 13 days, but sections of 2 to 4 days are common.
Getting around without a car is difficult but possible. V/Line trains from Melbourne reach Ararat and Stawell in about 3 to 3.5 hours, and a V/Line coach connects Stawell with Halls Gap. Once in Halls Gap you can walk to Venus Baths and Wonderland Car Park trails, and some tour operators run day trips for around A$100 to 150.
Entry to the national park is free, and day hikes need no permit. Overnight camping at Parks Victoria bush campgrounds costs about A$15 to 30 per site and must be booked online. Hikers on the Grampians Peaks Trail need a booking for each hike-in campsite, and a few sites such as Aboriginal rock art shelters have restricted access.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

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We 💚 feedbackKey takeaways before you go

Grampians suits walkers who like big views earned with steps, and photographers chasing sandstone at golden hour. If you have no car, you will feel limited. I would plan a base in Halls Gap, carry plenty of water, and save the longest hike for a clear day.

✈️ When did I visit Australia?
On my trip to New Zealand in 1993, I had a short stop in Australia as well.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on my own backpacking experience in Australia, supplemented with up-to-date research and feedback from other travelers. Travel details can change, so if you notice anything outdated or incomplete, feel free to let me know.



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