Waterfalls, wildlife and nature walks await you amongst beautiful scenery in this National Park – but where are the Grampians?
The sandstone peaks of the Grampians mountain range are iconically Australian. They are home to a rich diversity of flora and fauna. Hence, this area is often referred to as the garden of Australia.
For anyone wanting to take a day trip from Melbourne to a stunning destination, the Grampians is the perfect choice. You can expect to encounter flowing waterfalls, blossoming wildflowers in spring. In addition you’ll see native Australia animals year-round such as kangaroos, wallabies and emus.
A day trip to the Grampians also lets you get off the beaten path and away from the crowds. So what are you waiting for? Read on to learn more about the Grampians and we hope to see you on tour soon!
Where are the Grampians?
The Grampians are approximately 3 hours drive from Melbourne in the south east of Australia. The mountain range known as Gariwerd by First Nations Australians is now referred to as the Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park. The area is rich in Aboriginal history, native flora and fauna, and incredible natural environments.
To get to the Grampians you drive on the Western Highway from Melbourne and turn off at Ararat to drive into Halls Gap. Halls Gap is the main (and only) township in the central Grampians region.
Why take a tour to the Grampians?
Because the Grampians National Park is such a long drive from Melbourne, it is difficult to drive yourself for a one day trip. We recommend taking a tour because you can sit back and relax on both the journeys to and from the National Park. Your driver guide will do the work for you and be sure to tell you about the interesting sites you pass by on the way.
It’s also a great idea to take a tour to the Grampians if you want to visit the main places in one day. Let your guide show you the highlights of this beautiful region – from nature walks to kangaroos and stunning waterfalls. We’ve created an itinerary that shows you the best of this region – in one easy day tour from Melbourne.
Attractions in the Grampians National Park
Waterfalls
Grampians National Park has many waterfalls throughout the mountain range. The largest and most popular to visit is MacKenzie Falls. This wide cascade on the MacKenzie River takes a steep drop into a gorge. To take it all in, you can view the waterfall from above, or walk to the base of the falls.
Silverband Falls is another popular destination as you can take a short walk through eucalyptus forest to reach the falls. Silverband was named because the stream falling over the rocks looks like a silver band of water.
Wildlife
The Grampians National Park is a great place for nature-lovers as wildlife is bountiful in the region. You can expect to see kangaroos, wallabies, emus and native birds.
As you walk the nature trails, keep an eye out for wallabies in the bushes and flocks of cockatoos in the trees above. Emus can be seen in the main township of Halls Gap, or in the picnic area at the top of MacKenzie Falls.
To see kangaroos, you won’t have to look too far. There are hundreds of them in the Grampians and many can be seen in the late afternoon in grassy areas of Halls Gap.
Nature Walks
The Grampians National Park is renowned for its hiking tracks and bushland walking trails. One of the most interesting is the short trail through the Grand Canyon. It showcases the incredible rocky mountain range that is at the heart of the Grampians.
You can also do some scenic walks at MacKenzie Falls to the base of the falls to view the incredible cascades up close or through bushland along the top of the gorge. There is also an incredible multi day hike stretching the entire length of the National Park.
Scenic Lookouts
The Grampians mountain range has many different lookouts. Some of the best are in the central Grampians region. Reeds Lookout offers spectacular views over the Victoria Valley and all the way south to the end of the mountain range.
Boroka Lookout let you step out onto the edge of the mountain for views of the surrounding countryside. You can see the western plains, the town of Halls Gap and the incredible rocky peaks of the central Grampians area.
On Tour with Go West
On a Go West Tour we pride ourselves on exceeding industry standards for excellence and customer service. Our Grampians day tour from Melbourne has been designed to showcase the best of this truly amazing region.
We know you will love your adventures with your guide – including walking the nature trails, spotting wildlife and seeing waterfalls up close. We are the most highly-awarded tour operator in Melbourne and we guarantee to provide you with an experience that is memorable for all the right reasons.
Written by: Leah Furey – Digital Content Coordinator @gowest.com.au
