GRAMPIANS PEAKS NORTHERN TRAIL
4 Days 1790 ex Halls Gap
Accommodation
3 Nights Camping
Transportation
All on foot
Included Meals
3 Breakfasts
3 Lunches
3 Dinners
Trip Grade
Category 3
High Heart Rate Holiday
Charity
We Are Still On The Look Out
I have always loved the feeling of coming into camp. I’m not exactly sure why. Maybe it’s the sense of security that this is our place for the night, or I’m just happy to stop hiking for the day. No matter what it is, walking into Bugiga Campsite at the end of day one on the Grampians Peaks Trail was wonderful.
Wooden tent platforms were strategically positioned throughout the bush site, some with amazing views across the Grampians National Park. Our tents were already set up (love that) and our guide called from the cooking area that afternoon tea will be served in 20 minutes (love that too).
It was so nice to be out of town and back into nature, even if it was only for 3 days. The Grampians Peaks Trail winds its way through a landscape that resembles folded pastry. Huge escarpments jut out of the earth forming a barrier between the world from which you came and the ancient world of Gariwerd, the traditional name of the Grampians.
As I scan the mountainous horizon, I can see no evidence of civilization, just a land that is as ancient as the continent on which it exists.
I unpack my sleeping bag, sort out my tent, and tottle off for afternoon tea. Perfect!
I just completed the 3 days Grampians Peaks Trail beginning in Halls Gap. Being a novice hiker I found it a fantastic experience – and certainly made me want to do some more hiking. Our tour guide Adrian was extremely informative and helpful and a great chef too! Food and wine was excellent. The Bugiga campsite was gorgeous – and even the hot weather day 1 then the non-stop rain on day 2 didnt ruin the hike – just made it even more adventurous and interesting – and a reason to get back up to Mt Rosea when the visibility is clearer.
Lisa – Australia
The food was fabulous and was even spoilt with wine. Overall a fabulous experience with great company a great guide and little for us to do except walking and enjoy the scenery. The Grampians are beautiful!
Cherie – Australia
Rising out of the flat sweep of Western Victoria, the ancient Grampians mountain range extends for 160 km north to south, creating a series of dramatic escarpments that reach heights of over 1100 meters. This rugged land is your home for 4 days and 3 nights.
Parks Victoria has developed a 13-day hike through this incredible country which will be rolled out of the coming years. The first section of the Grampians Peaks Trail has already opened and you can be one of the first to experience it on our fully guided and fully escorted trek.
Your guide will explain the terrain you hike through, how it was formed and what it means to the traditional owners of the land. At the end of each day, your campsite will be set up and delicious meals will be prepared, leaving you with time to relax and reminisce.
All you need to do is get yourself to the Grampians and we will take care of all the rest!
The Journey
We will meet at the Hiker Hub in Halls Gap for a briefing and gear check before a transfer to the beginning of the Grampians Peaks Trail at Mount Zero picnic area. The heart rate will rise quickly as we ascend ‘Flat Rock’ and then again when we get to the top and get our first world-class viewpoint – just 10 minutes in!
We’ll descend and navigate our way through the Stapylton Amphitheatre before skirting our way around and up Mount Stapylton itself. For the footsure and brave, there is a short scramble to the summit to gain 360-degree views and a sneak peek of the next day’s walk in the distance.
After a fresh trail lunch, we’ll head southwards along the mostly high ground before descending into a valley and reaching Barigar Hiker Camp. After settling in we can take a short side trip to visit the camp’s namesake Barigar Falls. This is a 12.9km day with 440 meters up and 460 meters down. (L, D)
We’ll begin our day with a hearty breakfast and then depart camp. Our first steps take us along the base of the Rock Wall, an impressive several km long escarpment hidden away in a valley. As the cliff line reduces, we begin to ascend its ridge to cross over into Roses Gap.
As we begin to ascend the lower slopes of Gar (Mount Difficult) we will find and begin to follow a small, unsuspecting watercourse – seasonal and rainfall dependent. Over the next few km, we will witness this watercourse cascading over a series of drops each one more spectacular than the last.
After we gain the top of the last waterfall, we’ll head towards the ‘Pacific Ocean Wall’, a cliff ‘as big as the pacific ocean’, ascend its flank via a superbly built stone stairway and continue climbing up to Briggs Bluff. With most of the ascent completed, from here we can traverse our way along the high ground before arriving at Gar Hiker Camp and its breathtaking views. Another 12.9 km day with 615 meters up and 113 meters down. (B, L, D)
An early start this morning as we head up to the summit of Gar for a sunrise like no other. We’ll then return to camp for breakfast and then depart on the day’s journey.
We will sharply descend the eastern slopes of Gar, cross the northern end of the Werdug (Wartook) Basin and gain the ridge of the eastern flank of the Mount Difficult massif. Continuing south along this high ground we will eventually reach Werdug Hiker Camp with stunning views overlooking Lake Wartook and a clear line of sight all the way back to the top of Gar where we stood that morning. 14 km day with 521 meters up and 462 meters down. (B,L,D)
Our last day on the trail (for this expedition!) will continue along the eastern flank of Mount Difficult and slowly tip over and descend towards the town of Halls Gap. For one last hoorah we’ll head out to the end of Chautauqua Peak before finishing our descent all the way into Halls Gap. We’ll head back to the Grampians Peaks Walking Co. Hiker HUB where we can shower, collect our gear and celebrate with lunch and a local craft beer at the conveniently adjoining brewery. 13 km day with 33 meters up and 587 meters down. (B)
A Few Important Notes
Private Expeditions: If our dates don’t suit and you have a group of 6 or more we can run this expedition on any date you wish.|
Best time to travel? From mid-October to mid-May, however we suggest avoiding the Christmas School Holidays so Christmas until mid-February can be hot and busy.
Includes
- Four days guided trek with an experienced guide
- Three nights camping along the Grampians Peaks Trail
- Meals outlined in the Itinerary (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
Excludes
- Personal equipment (sleeping bag and mattress) (bag, mattress, and backpacks available to hire)
- Lunch at the brewery on the last day
- Breakfast on the first day
- Transport to and from the Grampians
I love the Grampians so much I moved to Halls Gap so I could explore this incredible landscape every day. If you love walking in nature, hiking to a summit to get an amazing view of an amazing ancient land, then you are going to love this trek. No need to worry about packing tents and food, we take care of everything so you can enjoy a great getaway in the Australian bush. By the way, I’m the one with the beard in the photo.
Adrian Manikas
Guide
Camping on the Grampians Peaks Trail
The Grampians Peaks Trail is a camping and wilderness trek. For 3 nights we will be camping in the Australian bush. All campsites have compostable toilets (no flushing) and areas where we all can eat breakfast and dinner.
Your tents will be set up for you. Each tent accommodates 2 people and there is plenty of room for you to store your bags and boots.
We are able to carry some of your bulky items to camp for you such as your sleeping bag and inflatable sleeping mat. However, all other items will need to be carried by you which normally would weigh a maximum of 5-7 kilograms.
Getting to Halls Gap
Halls Gap is about 3 hours drive west of Melbourne. Our hiking on Day 1 will start at around 10am, so if you can get to Halls Gap by then, then you could drive up to Halls Gap on the morning of Day 1. However, many trekkers opt to arrive in Halls Gap the night before. If this is something you are planning, please let us know as we have several recommendations for places to stay in and around town.
One of our passions is food so we think you will love our camp menu.
No matter where you are in the world and what you are doing, if you have an empty stomach, you simply cannot enjoy yourself. And we believe that great food helps make a great trek. It doesn’t matter if we are camping in the remote, that is no excuse for bad food.
So we have developed a great menu for your trek including wraps made fresh in Halls Gap, cured meats, olives, and cheeses all sourced in and around the area, and maybe a drop or two of local wine just to help us wash it all down.
You will be walking all day, so your mind and body needs delicious homemade food to reenergise you for the next day. We are sure you will love our food.
PS If you have any dietary requirements just let us know we can provide what you need.
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