📷 Photo by Christian Bass on UnsplashGrampians National Park (Gariwerd)
Gariwerd is a range of rugged sandstone ridges, waterfalls and wildflower heathland in western Victoria. It is one of Australia's richest places for Aboriginal rock art and walking.
- Region
- Western Victoria
- State
- Victoria
- Suggested time
- 2 to 3 days
- Best season
- Spring and autumn
- Highest peak
- Mount William (Duwil), 1167 m
- Nearest town
- Halls Gap
Before you go
- Start at the Brambuk centre in Halls Gap to learn about Traditional Owners and the park's rock art sites.
- Spring brings wildflowers and the strongest waterfalls; summer can be very hot with high fire danger.
- Kangaroos and emus are common at dusk near Halls Gap, so drive slowly on park roads.
Gariwerd and its people
The ranges are the traditional lands of the Djab Wurrung and Jardwadjali peoples, who know them as Gariwerd. The park holds many rock art sites, some of which are open to visitors, and the dual name is now official alongside Grampians.
Waterfalls and lookouts
MacKenzie Falls is the best-known waterfall, while The Pinnacle is the classic lookout over Halls Gap and the valley. Mount William, the highest summit, can be reached by road and a short walk. Allow time for a few of the shorter walks.
FAQs
What is the best time to visit the Grampians?
Spring (September to November) for wildflowers and flowing waterfalls, and autumn for mild weather. Summer is hot and fire danger can close parts of the park.
How far is Halls Gap from Melbourne?
About 260 km, or roughly 3 hours 20 minutes by car, usually via Ballarat and the Western Highway. The last stretch is on a winding road through the hills.
Places to see
© Mikeybear · CC BY-SA 3.0Brambuk Aboriginal Cultural Centre
Run by the Traditional Owners of Gariwerd, the centre introduces local Aboriginal culture, history and rock…
MacKenzie Falls
One of Victoria's largest permanent waterfalls, dropping over sandstone into a pool in Gariwerd (the…
The Pinnacle lookout
A sandstone lookout above Halls Gap reached by a walking track of a few kilometres return from Sundial…
Mount William (Duwil)
The highest point in the Grampians at 1167 m, reached by a steep sealed road to a car park and then a…
Mount Arapiles (Dyurrite)
A rock massif rising abruptly from the Wimmera plains, one of Australia's best-known rock climbing areas.…
Giant Koala, Dadswells Bridge
A large concrete koala beside the Western Highway, a classic Australian roadside oddity and a handy…
Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve
A volcanic crater lake with islands, surrounded by walking tracks where emus, koalas and kangaroos are…
Coonawarra Cellar Doors
A narrow strip of red terra rossa soil, about 15 km long, that produces some of Australia's best Cabernet…
