One of the best stops I made on my road trip from Adelaide to Melbourne was the Grampians National Park. If you love hiking and being outdoors, you’ll absolutely love this area! After driving a Lap of Australia and visiting every state/territory in the country, the Grampians are one of my top picks for hiking. Here’s my guide to all the best hikes in the Grampians!

Where Are the Grampians?

The Grampians are located in southwest Victoria, just over 1 hour north of Warrnambool on the coast. It’s an easy detour north from the Great Ocean Road – it’s about a three-hour drive from Melbourne. This is a mountainous region, with plenty of peaks to summit!

Planning Your Trip to the Grampians

It’s possible to visit the Grampians on a long daytrip from Melbourne. But I absolutely recommend staying overnight – three days will give you a good amount of time in the area. If you can, five days would be even better. And you’d be able to rest a bit in-between hikes! You definitely need a car to experience the Grampians. There is a train service from Melbourne to Halls Gap, the main town and tourist hub in the area. However, to access most of the hikes, you’ll need a car to get to the starting point. Interested in a day tour or overnight tour? Check out these options for tours in the Grampians below!

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The Best Hikes in the Grampians

There are so many good hikes in the Grampians National Park, it’s hard to know which one to choose! If you only have a day, you’ll be pretty limited to doing one or two of the shorter walks. Here are all the top hikes to do in the Grampians.

Mount Abrupt

This short hike outside of Dunkeld packs a big punch. It climbs up steadily, with 465 meters of elevation throughout the hike – but the views are out of this world. You can see for miles in all directions! I loved getting to see the mountain ranges further north, where I was heading later that day. Parking is in a large layby on Grampians Road (save the pin for later!).

Time: 2.5 hours

Distance: 7.5km (4.68 miles)

The Balconies

The Balconies is a short and easy hike in the Grampians – there’s not much effort required for this one. But you’re still rewarded with a phenomenal view out over the stunning mountain range. This is a great spot to watch the sunset, if you can time it right!

Time: 30 min

Distance: 2.3km (1.4 miles)

The Pinnacle (from Wonderland car park)

The Pinnacle is the most popular hike from Halls Gap, with several different routes to choose from to reach the summit. I recommend starting from Wonderland car park, which is a fairly steep climb up. You can walk through the Grand Canyon (unfortunately closed when I visited) and Silent Street, a narrow slot between the rock walls. The views over Halls Gap from the summit are simply spectacular – there’s a reason everyone comes here! As it’s so busy, do the hike early in the morning or in the late afternoon when there’s fewer people. It’ll also be easier to find a spot to park outside of peak times.

Time: 1.5-2 hours

Distance: 4.5km (2.78 miles)

Boronia Peak

If you want to escape the crowds around Halls Gap, head to Boronia Peak. While you’ll likely still encounter others on the trail, it definitely won’t be as busy as the Balconies or the Pinnacle. To reach the true summit you’ll need to scramble up the rocks – there are fantastic 360-degree views from here! You can start the hike from a few different parts of town, but the easiest is to park on Tandara Road and follow the trail from there (save the exact location on GoogleMaps!).

Time: 2.5-3 hours

Distance: 6.9km (4.28 miles)

Venus Baths

Venus Baths is a perfect short (and easy) walk from Halls Gap – a top choice for families with kids or anyone wanting to go for a swim! The trail starts behind the Halls Gap Caravan Park; you can park at the back of the main car park by the swimming pool, or in the spaces on School Road. Save the exact location on GoogleMaps! The path follows Stoney Creek along until reaching the baths, a set of rock pools with natural smooth slides.

Time: 30 min

Distance: 2km (1.24 miles)

Mackenzie Falls (plus Fish Falls and Zumsteins)

Mackenzie Falls is a dramatic waterfall in the Grampians – it’s actually one of the largest waterfalls in Victoria! You can walk out to the lookout to view the falls from a distance, or head down the steps to the base of the falls. Swimming is not allowed here. If you’d like something a bit more challenging, follow the creek out to Fish Falls and Zumsteins. Zumsteins has a large picnic area – it was a historic settlement and holiday retreat, back in the day. The return to Mackenzie Falls is on the same trail.

Time: 2-2.5 hours

Distance: 9km (5.60 miles)

Hollow Mountain & Gulgurn Manja Rock Art Site

This hike is in the northern part of the Grampians, near Dadswell. It’s a steep climb up Hollow Mountain, with some scrambling and walking over slippery rock surfaces. Don’t attempt this one in wet weather! There’s one tricky scramble about halfway through, but it’s not technical – I just took my time. You’ll be rewarded for your efforts with fantastic views of the landscape! Be sure to visit Gulgurn Manja and see the rock art on the walls, too. The road to get here is unsealed, but suitable for 2WD vehicles.

Time: 1-1.5 hours

Distance: 2.8km (1.72 miles)

Mount Difficult (Gar)

Mount Difficult was difficult – haha! – but my favorite hike in the Grampians! This is a full day hike, with 628 meters of elevation gain to get to the summit. You’ll need to keep an eye out for trail markers (yellow triangles) to stay on the track, so it’s not one I’d attempt in inclement weather. I saw my first brown snake in Australia here – so keep that in mind as you hike, too.

You’ll pass the Lower Waterfalls of Gar, before hiking along the ridge (annoyingly in the direction away from the summit) before another climb up over another ridge. Then, pass Gar campground (yes, you can sleep up here!) and push for the final bit to the summit. The views from the top were simply incredible: mountain, forest, and lakes as far as the eye can see. You can start the hike directly from Troopers Creek Campground if you’re staying there (which saves about 1-1.5km), or from the Gar Trailhead car park.

Time: 5-7 hours

Distance: 17.3km (10.75 miles)

Mount William (Duwul)

This is the highest peak in the Grampians – and thankfully, you can drive most of the way up! The walk itself is on a tarmac road and fairly steep, so it’s a bit of a slog. There’s a large tower/station that’s fenced off at the summit, but a trig point offers a great photo opportunity. The road to the car park (Mount William Road) is all sealed, so suitable for all vehicles in any weather.

Time: 1 hour

Distance: 4.5km (2.76 miles)

Chatauqua Peak Loop

Chatauqua Peak Loop is a moderate hike near Halls Gap, perfect to escape some of the crowds at the Balconies and the Pinnacle. You can walk the loop in either direction, but most people feel it’s easier to follow the signposts which go into the bush first. There’s a rocky section and a scramble at the end – so it’s best to avoid this hike in wet weather. Overall, it’s about 210 meters of elevation gain.

Time: 2.5 hours

Distance: 5.3km (3.3 miles)

Mount Rosea

This is a more challenging hike just south of Halls Gap. I didn’t end up having enough time to do this hike when I visited the Grampians, but I wish I would have! The walk starts from Rosea car park off Stoney Creek Road, with a steady incline up to the summit. Follow the yellow trail markers and hop over rocks and boulders – the return is on the same trail.

Time: 3-4.5 hours

Distance: 9.5km (5.9 miles)

Mount Sturgeon

Another hike I missed out on due to lack of time! Mount Sturgeon is near Dunkeld, very close to Mount Abrupt. It’s a dramatic peak, and the trail to reach the summit goes through woodland and over rocky terrain. Park at Mount Sturgeon car park – the route is a loop which you can do either way, although anti-clockwise is recommended.

Time: 3 hours

Distance: 7km (4.35 miles)

Where to Stay in the Grampians

While it’s possible to visit the Grampians National Park as a (very long) daytrip from Melbourne, I definitely recommend staying overnight. I had three nights here, and wish I’d spent longer! Here are a few picks on where to stay:

• Free Campsite: Plantation Campground – a fantastic free camp close to Halls Gap; note its 7km down an unsealed road, but suitable for 2WD vehicles
• Paid Campsite: Troopers Creek Campground – paid campsite near Roses Gap with easy access to the Mount Difficult trail, only a few sites are suitable for vehicles so book in advance
• Budget: YHA Grampians Eco, Halls Gap – the best bet for hostel accommodation in the Grampians, a short walk from the main businesses in town
• Mid-range: Halls Gap Motel – clean and comfortable rooms with an uber-convenient location in Halls Gap
• Luxury: Halls Gap Log Cabins – self-contained cabins which can sleep up to four people, a 20-minute walk into the town center
• Luxury: Grampians Chalets – stylish chalets with timber ceilings and a spa bath, a 15-minute walk from town

I loved my trip to the Grampians. I spent all day hiking, every single day, and enjoyed every second! Give yourself at least a few days to soak up all the spectacular scenery this part of Victoria has to offer. I hope this guide helps planning your hiking trip to the Grampians!

Have you been to the Grampians? What were your favorite hikes in the area?

You might also like my posts:

The Best Hikes in the Blue Mountains, New South Wales

Exploring the Waterfall Way: Bellingen to Wollomombi, New South Wales

The Best Hikes in the Glass House Mountains National Park

Exploring the Gold Coast Hinterland: Springbrook and Lamington National Parks

The Best Things to See in the Atherton Tablelands, Australia: Waterfalls, Hikes, and More

A Hiking Itinerary for the Flinders Ranges, South Australia

All of my Australia posts!

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