Things to Do in the Grampians and Halls Gap
Victoria is full of wonders. It’s a place where you can do almost anything— from beaches to mountain regions.It’s full of art and mesmerizing escapes that anyone will surely enjoy.
The Grampians and Halls Gap, both known for their spa and mountain experiences, provides anyone with a rest from the bustling city life. You can go to their national parks loved for their sandstone mountains, wildlife, fauna, falls, and any other things that you cannot get to experience in the city. It’s a one-of-a-kind tourist destination for all, situated in the vast landscape of scenic mountains and beautiful fresh country air.
Here are the best things to do in The Grampians and Halls Gap.
Grampians National Park
The Grampians National Park is heritage listed and is known for it’s rich Aboriginal History and native Australian wildlife. It is a vast landscape of great scenery and is a great start to your Grampians trip. The Grampians National Park is a great place where you can hike and be mesmerised by the overlooking view of the beautiful countryside. The park has great rock formations, where you can enjoy a sunrise or sunset.
MacKenzie Falls
Northern Grampians Road, Zumsteins VIC 3401, Australia
Open 24 hours, daily
MacKenzie Falls is one of the largest waterfalls in Victoria. The MacKenzie Falls arfe located within the Grampians National Park and you will find them on your trek up to the Grampians National Park viewpoint. You may watch the falls from the lookout platform, and tackle the steep climb to the falls’ base. It’s one of the best falls ever found in Australia, with the freshwater cascading downstream.I recommend visiting the falls in late spring or early summer, as the park waters can be very cold in the Winter.
Fish Falls
Zumsteins VIC 3401, Australia
Open 24 hours, daily
Just a short walk from the Zumsteins carpark, the Fish Falls is a low-rise waterfall, with a lot of areas to just sit, relax, and enjoy the view as you rest your feet on the shallow waters of the area. You may also take a quick dip, and have yourselves appreciate how beautiful the falls is. The cascading waterfalls also display a continuous flow of water over the rocks, thus not too much noise coming from the raging water.
And just a heads up! It’s not so crowded as MacKenzie falls. So if you want a peaceful time alone or with anyone else, the Fish Falls must be your go-to place.
Pinnacle Lookout
Northern Grampians Road (not accessible via Young Street), Halls Gap VIC 3381, Australia
Open 24 hours, daily
One of the best parts of being able to visit the Grampians and the Halls Gap is the countless, mesmerizing, and definitely breathtaking overviews of the landscape. Surely, the Pinnacle Lookout is a place you should not dare not visit.
The Pinnacle Lookout may seem overwhelming to take your feet on, but the truth is, it’s not. You may choose to take the easiest option with the Devil’s Gap route, or be adventurous and take on the Silent Street to keep those lower muscles pumped. You’ll be amazed how you can view the bountiful rock formations and have an overview of the wildlife as you ascend to the topmost part of the lookout. Yet, the ultimate prize is the end of the Pinnacle Lookout, where your walk will have you forget you even worked those legs off.
Grand Canyon (Halls Gap)
Northern Grampians Road, Halls Gap VIC 3381, Australia
Open 24 hours, daily
If you cannot take too much walking in a day, there’s always an alternative route for you. You may not be able to see the overview on the mountain top, but the Grand Canyon in Halls Gap has the right amount of picturesque views for you.
The canyon is a remarkably rocky gorge located on the fascinating Wonderland Range of the Grampians National Park. It has a circuit walk with railings to keep you safe and lets you pass a series of cascades and seemingly narrow rock formations alongside a beautiful creek. Apart from this, you’ll also be able to have a good view of the long waterfall at the end, but during wetter months only. However, it’s still a site of great wonder to be wandered on.
Venus Baths
Venus Baths, Halls Gap VIC 3381, Australia
Open 24 hours, daily
Want a cool off during hot summer days or after you sweat yourselves out during a long hike on the trails? The Venus Baths have you.
The walking and hiking trails will lead you to a natural rock formation of rock pools with shallow waters only. You may enjoy the relaxation with the fresh water coming from the falls, and even bring some picnic essentials to enjoy the forest view with some beers on the side. If you happen to forget to bring towels and extra clothes with you, worry not as you can still dip your feet on the waters and lookup for the clear blue sky to top off your day.
Halls Gap Botanical Gardens
Halls Gap VIC 3381, Australia
Open 24 hours, daily
The flora and fauna are one of Victoria’s bounty, thus it’s a no-brainer for any visitor to visit the gardens the Grampians and Halls Gap have to offer.
One of the best areas to get yourselves to is the Halls Gap Botanical Gardens. It is regarded as one of the best tourist attractions in Victoria, as it is home to the most expensive collection of plants that are native to the area. It’s a community garden for all, with a massive lawn and a mountain view, plus giant nests, sculptures, and wheelchair-friendly boardwalks. The area is also full of art installations, accompanied by two tracks leading to the Venus Baths and the Stoney Creek. Information is also posted on each site, to give you a family-friendly and educational walk for the young and curious ones. It’s also free for everyone!
Halls Gap Zoo
4061 Ararat-Halls Gap Road, Halls Gap VIC 3381, Australia
Open from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, daily
Located right by the world-renowned Grampians National Park, you can take your family to Victoria’s largest regional zoo, and see over 160 species of native & exotic mammals, reptiles and birds up close.
At The Halls Gap Zoo you will find giraffes, cheetahs, rhinos, red pandas, reptiles, macaws, and various kangaroo species you might not have seen before. You may also enjoy playing with dingoes, feeding the meerkats, and conquering your fear of snakes.
Admission prices are $38 for adults and $19 for children. You can also get discounts when you visit as a group, and they also offer concession rates to students, pensioners, people with disabilities, and healthcare workers.
Brambuk the National Park and Cultural Centre
277 Grampians Road, Halls Gap VIC 3381, Australia
Open from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, daily
This cultural centre acknowledges the Jadawadjali and Djab Wurrung Peoples, the Brambuk the National Park and Cultural Centre is a must-visit.
The park is a perfect place to go birdwatching, camping, and trekking. It showcases information about the Aboriginal people of Victoria, providing you with essential backgrounds worth reading for cultural and educational purposes. They also have a cafe and a souvenir shop for you to enjoy.
Where To Eat In The Grampians And Halls Gap
Sault Daylesford
Address: 2349 Ballan-Daylesford Rd, Sailors Falls VIC 3461
Sault is one of the most romantic restaurants in all of Victoria. It’s a beautiful place to visit on a romantic getaway or romantic day trip from Melbourne. Sault is located on a beautiful 125-acre estate surrounded by lush gardens and beautiful scenery and to top it off the food is great and made from the region’s freshest local produce.
Flame Brothers Restaurant and Bar
10/97 Grampians Road, Halls Gap VIC 3381, Australia
Open from 7:30 am to 9:00 pm
A good place also comes with great food; the Flame Brothers Restaurant and Bar offers the best coffee for breakfast and also provides you with the most delicious craft beer, wines, and cocktails in town.
You might want to try their savoury smoked meats, wood-fired pizza, and burgers, or anything that you like in between. They have a Kangaroo pasta, Smoked Duck Breast, BBQ Sharing Platter, ribs, and Pulled Pork for you to be a fool for barbecue. Kids can also dig in with pizzas, fries, and chicken so everyone can have amazing food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
They have a very affordable food menu that does not exceed $30 per single serving size!
Livefast Café
97 Grampians Road, Halls VIC 3381, Australia
Open from 7:00 am to 4:00 pm, weekdays; 7:00 am to 5:00 pm, weekends
What’s more to love than jamming with your friends in the countryside and drowning yourself over tasteful craft beers and drinks you cannot experience elsewhere? The Livefast Café brings about amazing local artists accompanied by great food shared with your friends.
Situated alongside the creek of the Grampians Road, the Livefast Café brews fresh coffee during breakfast and lets you chug great drinks that are locally produced to hype up your tastebuds. They serve breakfast menus from 7 am to 4 pm with toasts, pancakes, granola, and eggs to jumpstart your day. During lunch, feast over their Burrito Bowl, Grilled Salmon, Barbecue Beef, and Burger, and might as well top off your experience with wines, beers, and brews; their juicy items can surely fill your tanks up after an exhausting day.
You can check their menu and you’ll love how they can offer gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegetarian and vegan options for those picky food eaters.
Halls Gap Hotel Restaurant
2262 Grampians Road, Halls Gap VIC 3381, Australia
Open from 12:00 noon to 10:00 pm, Wednesdays to Sundays; closed on Mondays and Tuesdays
Relax and enjoy the calmness of the mountains during a short staycation at the Grampians. The Halls Gap Hotel Restaurant is not just the typical hotel; they are located at the edge of the town which lets you wake up and be fascinated with the scenic rock formation and mountains of the region.
During warmer months, you can sight the spectacle of the Grampians mountains and ranges and have some refreshing drinks on an outdoor deck at their bistro. Consequently, you can also warm your bodies off with log fires provided during the winter season, and have some pub-style country meal while watching the footy. If you have kids around, they might as well run around the play area which is also viewable from the bistro; indeed a family-friendly hotel restaurant for you.
Aside from the views and the facilities they offer, their bistro gives you a formal dining experience. You may savour over their biscuits and curry for starters, have some Moroccan lamb or Chili Prawn + Salami for your mains, and finish it off with some treats you can’t skip.
Nevertheless, it’s picturesque and that’s the main deal at the hotel restaurant.
Spirit of Punjab
161-163 Grampians Road, Halls Gap VIC 3381, Australia
Opens from 12:00 noon to 2:00 pm, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays; 5:00 pm to 9:30, daily
Regional Victoria isn’t usually known for it’s world class Indian food but the Spirit of Punjab is one of the best Indian restaurants going around.
The Indian restaurant lets you have the pungent smell of authentic Indian food from Samosas, Chicken Makhani, Shahi Paneer, Tandoori Paneer Tikka; a total of 90 different dishes to suit your taste. They specialize in Indian spices which come in different varieties and your dietary needs. The Indian vibe is also paired with the great view of the Grampian mountains and you may also opt to have a tap of their beer while you set your eyes over kangaroos hopping around the field and birds having their baths at the small lake located behind the restaurant.
Perhaps, the Spirit of Punjab takes you to two places at once!
These are just some of the best things to see and do in The Grampians and Halls Gap. Enjoy sites full of rock formations, nature, and great food and drinks. Surely, you’ll never get tired of visiting this place over again. No doubt it’s surprisingly a wonderful breather for you and the whole family.
