Walks and Trails
 

Select from the list below
 
The Grampians Aboriginal Cultural Walks
Mt.Arapiles - Tooan State Park Wimmera Region Walks
Little Desert National Park Historical Walks
Wyperfeld National Park Links

  Walking Trails in the Grampians
 
There are a number of wonderful and fascinating walks within the national and state parks of the Grampians and Wimmera region of Victoria. Ranging from leisurely strolls through to overnight wilderness treks, walking is one of the best way to take in the region.

For more information on walks and maps on these areas, call into the National Park Visitor Centre in Halls Gap or Grampians Region Visitors Centres.

Mt Zero
Grampians National Park
2.8km, medium grade, 1.5hr return

Walk to the most northern peak, starting from the Mt. Zero picnic ground. The track markers guide you up the rocky hillside. Keep an eye out for wildlife - emus and black wallabies are common in this area. Near the top of the ridge, take the rocky steps to the summit. The views are of MT Stapylton and the surrounding Wimmera Plains.

MacKenzie Falls

Grampians National Park

There are two options to view one of the largest waterfalls in Victoria. Both walks leave from the MacKenzie Falls kiosk. A 2km return track leads to the base of the falls. The track is strenuous in places and requires sturdy footwear.
The 1.9km bluff walk is sealed and is an easy grade, with several resting stops along the way. Viewing platforms at the end of the walk offer some of the best opportunities for photographers of the falls.

Balconies Walk

Grampians National Park
2km, easy grade, 1hr return

The track climbs gently from the Reeds Lookout Carpark, over rock terraces and through stringybark forest. Along the cliff line, rocky steps lead down to the Balconies Lookout. From here enjoy breathtaking views.

The Pinnacle

Grampians National Park
9.6km circuit, medium grade, 4-5hrs

Start at Halls Gap and make your way past the rocky pools at Venus Baths. From here, follow markers to the magnificent Grand Canyon. The walk through this magnificent gorge involves some rock hopping and steep steps. The steady ascent winds through rocky woodland, through Silent Street and on to the awe-inspiring Pinnacle Lookout. From here you follow down the ridge line to return back to Halls Gap.

Silverband Falls

Grampians National Park
1.4km, easy grade, 30mins return

From Silverband Carpark, amble down a gently graded path to a shaded, ferny forest, and a waterfall that flows all year round.

MT William (MT Duwil) Summit

Grampians National Park
3.6km return, medium grade, 1.5hrs

Start at the MT William Carpark and follow a sealed road, closed to public vehicles. The road climbs steeply from the carpark to the summit. At 1167 metres, MT William (MT Duwil) is the highest point in the National Park. Stunted eucalyptus give way to fantastic views of mountain ranges and open plains. Be prepared for cold and windy conditions on the exposed s. Return by the same route.

The Piccanniny

Grampians National Park
2.4km return, easy grade, 1hr

Start at the Piccanniny Carpark, on the Grampians Tourist Road, 1.3kms north of Victoria Valley Road intersection. A gradual climb through open forest, with an understory of hakea, grevillia and banksia- colorful during Spring. The summit gives excellent views of MT Abrupt (ME Murdejoog) and the nearby town of Dunkfield and it's surrounding pastoral landscape.

Major Mitchell Plateau Trail

Grampians National Park
23kms, difficult grade, 2 days one way

This walk is well known to bushwalkers of the Grampians for it's wonderful diversity of scenery, stunning panoramas and alpine flora. It's a challenging walk that rises through scrubby forest from the picnic area at Jimmy's Creek until it follows a spur leading to a prominent knoll and a majestic lookout. It is about 1km from here to the top of the plateau. Tracking the highland's eastern rim, the track passes through a natural garden of alpine vegetation before dropping to a small saddle near some cliffs. It then descends further down the valley and into First Wannon Creek, the only campsite on the plateau. For a spectacular view of the sunset, take a 15 minute walk downstream from here to the First Wannon Creek Gorge. The next days edges towards the Major Mitchell Plateau and across two rocky knolls toward MT William (MT Duwill), the highest peak in the park. A short detour here to the summit offers magnificent views across the entire Grampians, before beginning the steep descent to Fyans Creek, and a further 2kms, Grasstree Creek and journeys end.

Wonderland Walk

Grampians National Park
9.6km return, moderate grade, 5hrs

This is a loop walk which begins at Halls Gap and climbs steadily up a ridgeline to the spectacular Pinnacle lookout. A spectacular ravine called Silent Street leads to a series of rock formations into one of the most intriguing sections of the walk, the high-walled Grand Canyon. Lunch is a possibility in the picnic area at nearby Wonderland carpark before you head home across Stony Creek and past its waterfall. The track then arcs alongside a massive sandstone rock face called Elephants Hide, passes some rockpools named Venus Baths and then tracks through an enchanting fern forest just before the trails end.
 

  Walking Trails in MT Arapiles-Tooan State Park
 
Summit Walk


MT Arapiles
3.3km, medium grade, 2-3hrs return

This walk links Centenary Park with the Summit, where you can enjoy commanding views of the surrounding countryside. On the southern leg of the walk, via the Gorge, you can take a short detour to the Bluff Lookout, which also provides magnificent views. You may choose to walk just one leg of this walk, and arrange for a vehicle pick-up at the summit carpark.
 
  Walking Trails in Little Desert National Park
 
The park has a number of marked and signposted walks ranging from 30 minutes to three days duration. All the walks are located in the eastern block of the park and all are accessible by 2WD vehicles.

The Sanctuary Walk

Little Desert National Park
2km, easy grade 1hr return

This walk starts from the picnic area 10km south of Kiata. This walk features plants and animals of the Little Desert, including an old Mallee fowl mound, native pines, mallee eucalypts, wattles and many other wildflowers.

Pomponderoo Hill Walk

Little Desert National Park
1km, easy grade, 30mins return

This walk can be found on the parks northern boundary, 4km south of Dimboola. This track loops around typical desert vegetation, with the lookout providing an excellent view of the park, Wimmera River and surrounding area.

Stringybark Walk

Little Desert National Park
3 walks - 20mins to 2hrs

Located on the Nhill - Gynbowen Road, there is a choice of three linked walks. These linked walks show the interesting diversity of the Little Desert.

The Desert Discovery Walk

Little Desert National Park

This is a long distance walk and a brochure may be obtained from the Parks Victoria Information Office.
Winding through 84kms of gently undulating terrain the walk provides a wonderful opportunity to explore some of the parks diversity on foot and is especially rewarding in Spring.
Start from either Kiata Campground or Horseshoe Bend campground. There are two overnight campsites along the way, accessible only by walkers. Overnight walkers are asked to register their details in advance at the Park office.

Little Desert Park Office
Nursery Road, Wail
PO Box 240, Dimboola, 3414
Tel: (03) 5389 1204
 
  Walking Trails in the Wyperfeld National Park
 
Lake Brambruk


Total return time 2.5 hrs - Distance 6km (return)

Start: Eastern end of Wonga campground, close to Flagstaff Hill. Information notes for this walk are available in the pamphlett box at the start of the track.

Tyakil

Total return time 2 hours - Distance 4.4.km (return)

Start: Black flat carpark, 4km from western end of the wonga Campground. Interpretive signs along the track help you in your discovery of the Mallee.

Desert Walk

Total return time 2.5 hrs - Distance 6km (return)

Excellent views across to Big Desert and Outlet Creek. A good loop walk on a sandy track to experience the Mallee environment.


Lake Brambruk Nature Walk -Loop including Everard, The Freeway and Eastern Lookout Tracks.

Total return time 3.5 hrs - Distance 8km (return)

Start Eastern end of the Wonga Campground, close to Flagstaff Hill. The first half crosses sand dunes and passes through mallee tea-tree. Redland woodland surrounds Lake Brambruk. Return along the Freeway track.

Nine Mile Square Track - Frews Plain

Total Return time 2hrs - Distance 4km (return)

After crossing a soft sandy dune, this track firms and goes through Black Box woodland and stands of mallee and tea-tree. Return by the same route. Start: Nine Mile Square carpark, on the western side if the entrance toad about 5.5km from Wonga Campground.

Eastern Lookout via Lignum Track

Total return time 4hrs - Distance 10km (return)

The track crosses or passes close to several dry lake beds and can become muddy after rain. A favorite for kangaroos and emus among the red gums and dry lake beds. Start: At the Information centre. 200 metres along the Eastern Lookout Nature Drive Track, turn left along Lignum Track. Travel about 2km to a track junction, then turn left. When you reach Eastern Lookout Nature Drive Track again, turn right to Eastern Lookout. Return via Lignum Track, opposite carpark.
 
  Aboriginal Cultural Walks
 
Brambuk Garden Nature Walk


Tours on request

Over 600 Gariwerd plants grow around Brambuk. Learn about their ceremonial, medicinal and nourishing qualities on a walk with a Koorie guide. Visitors are encouraged to taste, touch and smell.
 
  Wimmera Region Walks
 
The Yarriambiack Creek Walk


Full Walking Distance - 6.8km; walking time 2hrs & 10mins

The Yarriambiack Creek Walk offers a quite unique experience in Victoria with it's proximity to town yet it's relatively untouched environment. A striking feature of the creek is the largely undisturbed quality of the trees lining it's banks. It is estimated that some of the older river red gums and black box are 700 to 800 years old. Many species of birds and the occasional wallaby can be seen along the creek.
 
  Historical Walks
 
Horsham Historical River Walk


Barnes Blvd & Hocking Sts, Horsham
Ph: (03) 5382 1832
Open: Daily

Set along the banks of the Wimmera River this leisurely one hour walk takes in a signposted history of Horsham, including the old weir and swimming pool, a number of old bridges, the old tramline and Seeliger's Brewery.

Pleasant Creek Historic Precinct

52 Western Highway, Stawell
Ph: (03) 5358 2314

Self-guided walking tours of historical sites in the original township of Pleasant Creek, including gold discovery, monuments, police barracks. This block is the centre of the original Township of Stawell, proclaimed in June 1858.


Click here for more on Wimmera Heritage
 
Links for Walking in the Grampians
 
The Grampians - Bushwalks with Ben Kreunen
 
Railtrails Australia Inc - trails for walking, cycling and horse riding on former abandoned railway easements
 


Walkers Beware!
Carry drinking water with you
A hat and sunscreen are essential in Summer
Keep to the defined tracks - it is easy to become disorientated in the desert
Let someone know where you plan to go, and tell them when you will return

 

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