Detailed info about the Grampians Peaks Trail

1. overall thoughts

2. camp ground names, distances & condition

3. getting to the trailhead start, Mt. Zero

4. gallery

5. external web info - Parks Victoria

1. Rating of the Grampians Peaks Trail

The Grampians Peaks trails were absolutely amazing! We had such a thrilling adventure, with plenty of rock scrambling & cliff edge walks. The views from up there were breathtaking, & one hike-in site we shared with heaps of kangaroos. There were also moments of, 'you want us to fit through there!', yes we had to squeeze through tight gaps between rocks, & on other occasions, it was tough going up steep rock face that got the heart pumping, adding an extra level of challenge to our hike. We did the hike in three sections, the north - March 2022, the central - September 2022 & the south November 2022. On each occasion we faced different weather, from beautiful warms days to persistent rain, but that just added to the excitement & made the experience even more memorable. Overall, it was a fantastic mix of adventure, nature & adrenaline. Definitely one of my favourite hikes. I'd like to go back & do all 13 days in the one hit next time.

Tim's review of the walk

2. Camp ground names, distances & condition

The Grampians Peaks trails offers a preferred route for hikers looking to embark on the 13-day journey from north to south, starting at Mt. Zero & finishing at Dunkeld, spanning a distance of 160 kilometers. The trail presents a diverse range of walking experiences, ranging from easy strolls along rocky paths to challenging uphill climbs. The scenic landscapes and natural beauty of the Grampians region make this trail an ideal choice for adventure enthusiasts & nature lovers alike. Hikers can immerse themselves in the awe-inspiring vistas & immerse themselves in the tranquility of the wilderness. However, caution should be exercised as the terrain can be challenging at certain points, demanding both physical stamina & mental determination. Certain sections you are covering 1k for 1 hour. The Grampians Peaks trails promise an unforgettable hiking experience for those seeking to connect with nature & test their limits.

1. Mt. Zero Trailhead to Barigar - 12.5km

2. Barigar to Gar - rahminy 11.5km

3. Gar to Werdug - 14.5km

4. Werdug to Halls Gap - 13.5km

5. Halls Gap to Bugiga - 9km

6. Bugiga to Barri Yalug - 15km

7. Barri Yalug to Duwul - 13.5km

8. Duwul to Durd Durd - 15km

9. Durd Durd to Yarram - 12km

10. Yarram to Wannon - 11.5km

11. Wannon to Djardi-djawra - 16.5km

12. Djardi-djawara to Mud-Dadjug - 8.5km

13. Mud-Dadjug to Dunkeld - 15km

The GPT is divided into three sections: north, central, & south. It is generally well marked, although you will lose a direction marker every now & then & need to back track but only a few meters to realign yourself, nothing major. The time it took between campsites varied considerably. If you note the first picture below, that rocky terrain was the path in a number of sections & it really slows up your pace. Also a bit of angst with some is having to spend a night at Halls Gap township part way through, but if used well you can grab a shower, proper bed for the night & replenish supplies. Or as we did the hike, we did the northern section finishing at Halls Gap then heading home so no need to accommodation, a small bonus for living in the state. While there are other entry & exit points along the trail, plan ahead as not all of these points are accessible by car. Take the time to carefully map out your journey to ensure a smooth & enjoyable experience on the GPT.

The hike-in sites we experienced were excellent overall, most providing great shelter options. The shelters themselves were particularly impressive, as they were equipped with tables, benches to sit on, and even a charging station for mobile phones & other digital devices. However, I wouldn't rely on the charging stations, generally there were only a few ports available, & being charged via solar, it is slow. Most sites had elevated platforms on which to set up your tent, ensuring a comfortable sleeping arrangement. All sites provided water tanks (treat your water) & at least one non-flush toilet, where there was some toilet paper but, hey, don't risk it, bring your own.

Gar campsite, view from our tent

see the variety of terrain:

• rocky

• steep dirt

• slippery mud

• watery

• cliff edge

3. Getting to the start, Mt. Zero trailhead.

Driving the 275k's from Melbourne will take you about 3 & 1/2 hours. If doing the hike with friends you can easily work out a car shuffle. However as it as was only Tanya & myself we needed assistance. There are a few businesses that offer a shuttle service. While I appreciate a business needs to make an income we felt some were unreasonably expensive for the required shuttle service. After numerous phone calls & searching the web we came across Jordan from Ambush (here's the link- Ambush.com.au). Very friendly guy whom we can strongly recommend who helped us out on all 3 occasions. Jordan knows the area very well, knows all the access points & accommodates your travel times as much as possible. No doubt all the shuttle businesses in the area will be able to assist with their recommendations on when & where they can drop you off or pick you up.

If you doing the northern part of the hike from Mt. Zero to Halls Gap there is parking available around the Halls Gap swimming pool. We parked there & had no hassles, but obviously do this at your own risk.

If doing the central section, we started from Halls Gap, & finished at Jimmy's Creek camp ground (great little location we'd love to stay a night in the future), a few k's past Durd Durd camp site.

The southern section. This time we left our car at Mt Dunkheld near some shops, again, we asked if it was safe from the locals & got the 'she'll be right' answer. Jordan again drove us to Durd Durd to start our hike as we walked back to our car.

Travelling by car from Dunkeld to Mt.Zero allow about 1.5 hours.

4. Gallery of Grampians Peaks Trail

5. External web info - Parks Victoria

Check out the Parks Victoria links below for a 1 minute YouTube video showcasing the beauty of Grampians Peaks Trail & a picture of the map. Each campsite will set you back about $50.00 per night, (yikes!) & you will need to book through their website, also below. Be patient finding what you need as their website is not user freely sad to say.

• Parks Victoria, Grampians Peaks Trail - video

• Parks Victoria, Grampians Peaks Trail - map

• Parks Victoria, Grampians Peaks Trail - booking options