Grampians Peaks Trail Explorer 7 Day – Standard Accommodation

SELF-GUIDED

Group-guided

Self-guided

OVERVIEW

The Grampian’s 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. 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 lovely bed and breakfast 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

$ 2500

per person twin/double share

SINGLE OCCUPANCY

$ 700

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 covers 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 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/ other options for 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 Peaks Trail 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 hike to Mnt Rosea on the Grampians Peaks Trail is a real highlight of the overall track. 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: Grampians bed and breakfast in 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: Breakfast, Walkers Lunch and two-course a la carte dinner

Accommodation: Grampians bed and breakfast in Dunkeld in rooms with ensuites

DAY 7
DUNKELD AND END OF WALK

Your holiday finishes after you check out.

Meals: Breakfast.

WHAT’S INCLUDED

Pack-free walking
25+ years experience
Customised
Eco Travel

Walk the best of the Grampians Peaks Trail and Mackensie Falls
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
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 northwest of Halls Gap, this beautiful resort on the sunny side of the mountains has amazing views.

The dinners that we provide 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).

NIGHTS 1 & 2

WARTOOK VALLEY

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.
NIGHTS 3 & 4

HALLS GAP

The motel in Halls Gap is perfectly located in 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 rooms that live and roam on the property.
NIGHTS 5 & 6

DUNKELD

The bed and breakfast we use in Dunkeld is lovely and in a great location, far enough out of town to feel remote and to enjoy the serenity but an easy 2 or 3-minute walk back to the main street. Breakfast is served at the accommodation and dinners are

GENERAL INFO

The Grampians walks build nicely and can be as challenging as you wish them to be. There are extra walking opportunities here, so if you want more we are pleased to offer them. 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 uphill and downhill sections to the forested valleys below.

You’ll be walking an average of 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.

HOW TO GET THERE AND AWAY

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 back to Melbourne via Ballarat. Please use the PTV travel planner to work this through to find out the best way to get back that suits you. For more help please contact the Auswalk office.

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 the FAQ section 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.

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DEPARTURE DATES

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