Grampians Peaks Trail Explorer 7 Day

SELF-GUIDED

Group-guided

Self-guided

OVERVIEW

The Grampians unique landscape is a phenomenal setting for a one of kind walking experience. The walk follows sections of the new Grampians Peaks Trail from Mount Zero via Halls Gap and south to Dunkeld. We’ve included walking on the unique western side of the mountains, portions of trail that will one day be part of the Grampians Peaks Trail. Walk through rugged, craggy-yet-strangely-beautiful landscapes with some of the best views seen by foot anywhere in Australia.

This is the place to see Australian native fauna with cliffs and rough valleys providing refuge for many native animals, including kangaroos, wallabies, echidnas, koalas and an abundance of bird species. The sandy soil is ideal for native plants, making this national park famous for its spring wildflowers. There are over 800 varieties of indigenous plant species, many of them wildflowers which come into vivid bloom each spring.

Highlights:

Venus Baths, Grand Canyon, Elephant’s Hide, Silent Street and the Pinnacle.
Explore Mt Stapylton and Mt Zero in the Northern Grampians
Walk to MacKenzie Falls from your accommodation in Wartook
Hike to the top of the stunning Mount Rosea and Mount Sturgeon
Amazing accommodation in Wartook at Meringa Springs and at the Royal Mail in Dunkeld
Support of Auswalk’s team on the ground

WALK OVERVIEW

TYPE OF WALK

SELF GUIDED

TRIP LENGTH

7 DAYS

WALK GRADE

Moderate

PRICE FROM

$ 2695

per person twin/double share

SINGLE OCCUPANCY

$ 695

per person

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Departure Dates

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ITINERARY

Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7

DAY 1
START IN EITHER DUNKELD OR STAWELL PRIVATE TRANSFER TO MERINGA SPRINGS

Start in Dunkeld if you’ve arrived by private vehicle or Stawell if you’ve arrived by public transport. No walking is scheduled for today, so you will have time to explore the fabulous walks right near your accommodation.

Meals: Two course a la carte dinner

Accommodation: Meringa Springs, Wartook in rooms with ensuites

DAY 2
MOUNT STAPLYTON AND ZERO WALKS

Weathered over millions of years, Victoria’s Grampians National Park cover 168,000 hectares and are made entirely of sandstone that’s eroded to form several distinct mountain ranges. Today it’s the walk at the beginning of what will be the Grampians Peaks Trail, Mount Staplyton and Mount Zero. With a little bit of up and down this is a great start to this amazing walk. Look out for the wildlife in and around the track.

Walking: Moderate / 10–13km / 5–6 hrs

Meals: Cooked breakfast, Walkers Lunch and two course a la carte dinner

Accommodation: Meringa Springs, Wartook in rooms with ensuites

DAY 3
MACKENZIE FALLS TO ZUMSTEINS

The hardy vegetation in the Grampians is sustained by water coursing through streams, creeks, waterfalls and caves scattered throughout the ranges. The sandy soil is ideal for native plants, making this national park famous for its spring wildflowers. Today’s Grampians walk follows the track from out of your accommodation up to the top of MacKenzie Falls via Zumsteins. There are lots of options for more walking along the way.

Walking: Easy to Moderate / 13km / 4-5 hrs / options for other walking available

Meals: Cooked breakfast, Walkers Lunch and two course a la carte dinner

Accommodation: Motel in Halls Gap in rooms with ensuites

DAY 4
HALLS GAP TO THE PINNACLE AND MACKEY'S PEAK

The Grampians sandstone is incredibly hard having resisted erosion for millions if not billions of years. Today’s Grampians walk traverses the fascinating Grand Canyon circuit through the Wonderland Range, passing many unusual rock formations including the Elephant’s Hide, Venus Baths, Guardian of the Canyon and Echo Cave as you climb to the Pinnacle. Today’s aim is the lofty heights of the Pinnacle Lookout. The return to Halls Gap is via Mackey’s Peak.

Walking: Moderate / 16.9km / 5-6 hrs

Meals: Cooked breakfast and Walkers Lunch

Accommodation: Motel in Halls Gap in rooms with ensuites

DAY 5
LINEAR WALK TO MOUNT ROSEA AND BOROUGH HUTS

The area has been an important source of food, water and shelter for Aboriginal people for 20,000 years and contains the majority of surviving Aboriginal rock art sites in South East Australia. The Grampians Peaks Trail has already been constructed to one of the real highlights of the overall track – Mount Rosea. This is the most challenging of all the walks and is another day full of high points including Sundial Peak, Lakeview Lookout and the walk up to Mt Rosea. There are lots of extra options along the way.

Walking: Moderate / 20km / 6–7.5 hrs

Meals: Cooked breakfast and Walkers Lunch

Accommodation: The Royal Mail, Dunkeld in rooms with ensuites

DAY 6
THE PICCANINNY AND MOUNT STURGEON

Today we walk the southern end of the Grampians Peaks Trail, more specifically the Mount Sturgeon walk and the Piccaninny. Beautiful views back to Mount Abrupt, over the Victoria Ranges, the Western Plains and the township of Dunkeld. We have left you with a little extra time this afternoon to explore Dunkeld or simply relax in the beautiful Royal Mail grounds. However, there is a nice walk out to the Arboretum that you can add in if you wish.

Walking: Easy to Moderate / 12km / 3–4 hrs / other walks available

Meals: Cooked breakfast, Walkers Lunch and three course a la carte dinner

Accommodation: The Royal Mail, Dunkeld in rooms with ensuites

DAY 7
DUNKELD AND END OF WALK

Your holiday finishes after breakfast.

Meals: Cooked breakfast

WHAT’S INCLUDED

Pack-free walking
25+ years experience
Customised
Eco Travel

7 day pack free walking holiday
Walk the Grampians Peaks trail and the remainder of the very best Grampians walks
6 nights’ accommodation with ensuites
Cooked breakfasts, chef-prepared dinners (4 nights only) and substantial Walkers Lunches each day
All luggage transport and vehicle transfers
We shift you along the track from accommodation to accommodation to limit time in a vehicle, creating more time to relax and enjoy the region
National Park admission
Enjoy worry free navigation with Auswalk’s comprehensive track notes, maps, map case, insulated lunch bag & info pack
24/7 support from Auswalk’s representatives on the ground

ACCOMMODATION & DINING

OVERVIEW

We have sculpted this walking holiday so that it takes in the very best of the walking in the Grampians. The walking follows a linear path so there’s no backtracking. Just as importantly, we have managed to also reign in two of the very best accommodation experiences in Victoria with award winning food and unrivalled wine lists. We start the walk at Meringa Springs a small luxury lodge, restaurant and bar, a luxurious accommodation right next to the park. Situated 27 km north west of Halls Gap, this beautiful resort on the sunny side of the mountains has amazing views. The Royal Mail has two restaurants, Wickens at Royal Mail, and the casual diner, Parker Street Project, supported by an internationally recognised wine cellar, wine bar, landscaped gardens full of native plants, billabong inspired swimming pool and of course all the rooms have ensuites.

The dinners in the restaurants are prepared by professional chefs, as are the cooked breakfasts.

Each day whilst you’re walking you’ll be provided with a substantial Walkers Lunch and get to eat it at a fabulous location on the track. A Walkers Lunch is varied and may include a high protein type salad, roll or a wrap, muesli bar, cake or muffin and a piece of fruit.

Alcohol or drinks with meals are not included (except tea/coffee and juice with breakfast).

NIGHT 1 & 2

MERINGA SPRINGS LODGE WARTOOK

Meringa Springs is one of the finest accommodations in the Grampians. The lodge has its own restaurant and bar. The infinity-edge pool overlooking the mountains has got to be one of the most beautiful settings in Australia. Dine and feast on the views or relax in your spacious room and do likewise.
NIHGT 3& 4

HALLS GAP

The motel in Halls Gap is perfectly located to the central part of town and the beginning and end of the walk. The rooms all have ensuites and are spacious.

There’s plenty of wildlife right on your doorstep including roos that live and roam on the property.
NIGHT 5 & 6

THE ROYAL MAIL

The Royal Mail is the most prestigious accommodation and restaurant in the Grampians. The rooms are superb and overlook the mountains.

The Royal Mail has 2 restaurants one of them is highly rated, namely Wickens at Royal Mail Hotel. This restaurant provides a fine-dining experience. The food is an inspired degustation menu. Much of the produce comes from the hotel’s 1.2-hectare kitchen garden. The restaurant also has the largest wine collection in the southern hemisphere with over 25000 bottles of wine in their cellar.

GENERAL INFO

Day one of this holiday sees you spend the night in Wartook. Regular V-Line train and coach services to Stawell are available from Melbourne. We organise for you to be transferred from Stawell to your first accommodation. There is also the option of driving to your final nights’ accommodation in Dunkeld and leaving your vehicle here during this holiday.

The Grampians walks finish on day seven in Dunkeld at the end of the Grampians Peaks Trail. For walkers who caught public transport there are V Line coach services to Ararat from where there are regular train services to Melbourne.

The Grampians walks build nicely and can be as challenging as you wish it to be. There are extra walking opportunities here, so if you want more we are pleased to offer it. Overall this walk is moderate with some moderate to challenging days, with some flat sections along well-marked trails, gradual ascents to mountain summits for spectacular views, and some steep up hill and downhill sections to the forested valleys below.

You’ll be walking an average 17 km a day. Those that enjoy the solitude of nature will appreciate some days where you are more likely to encounter echidnas and kangaroos rather than other people.

There are five walking days on this seven day itinerary starting in Wartook and finishing in Dunkeld. We include accommodation from day one to day six, most meals, transfers and comprehensive trip notes and walking maps. We transfer your luggage to the next accommodation so you can focus on enjoying the walking with just your daypack and what you need for the day.

For what to bring please refer to Gear Advice on our FAQ section.

WEATHER

September to November is usually warm. The summer months of December to March are likely to be warm, and sometimes quite hot. During summer, it is common to have daily temperatures in the 30s, with the nights remaining quite warm. April and May are cooler and the winter months of June through August can vary from cool to mild temperatures with the occasional cold, wet spell. The wildflowers are usually at their best between August and November – although there are always some flowers around. Not available during July.

See the Bureau of Meteorology’s information about average temperatures and rainfall at different times of the year.

INSURANCE

We strongly recommend the purchase of travel insurance for all of our trips. We absolutely require that you purchase a travel insurance policy for all travel overseas. We charge a cancellation fee if you cancel your walking holiday after we have confirmed it. It is also important in the event of an accident or loss of property. See FAQ’s for more information.

INFORMATION PACK

For nearly 30 years we have taken pride in providing seamlessly organised walking holidays, but we know, even with that in mind, that you’ll have many more questions. You will receive a very detailed information pack and itinerary approximately 6 weeks out from departure outlining all the fine detail and much more.

CONTACT

If you have any questions, feel free to ask one of our destination consultants or to speak with one of our guides. You can get in touch with us via our contact form, email us at info@auswalk.com.au, or call us on +61 3 9597 9767.

MAP

DEPARTURE DATES

DATES

AVAILABILITY

PRICE

Single Occupancy

DETAILS
1 Apr 2020 - 31 Mar 2021

AVAILABLE

^from
$2695

SINGLE OCCUPANCY
$695

BOOK NOW
1 Apr 2021 - 31 Mar 2022

AVAILABLE

^from
$2755

SINGLE OCCUPANCY
$725

BOOK NOW

REVIEWS

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Overview