Grampians National Park walks: Pinnacle and Halls Gap

Grampians National Park walks for day trippers are most popular in the Wonderland area near Halls Gap, says Wikipedia. Halls Gap is the largest service town in the Grampians area, sits in the Fyans Valley and is about three hours' drive from Melbourne. Local Aboriginal people know the park as Gariwerd. A bushfire burned the northern end of the park in January 2014, so check what is open before you set out.

Sources for this section: Wikipedia, Grampians National Park; Wikipedia, Halls Gap; Australian Government, National Heritage page; Parks Victoria, 23 January update.

Check what is open after the January 2014 fire

Parks Victoria reported that lightning caused a bushfire on 15 January 2014 and that it swept through the northern end of the park. Parks Victoria said that section would stay closed until it could assess the damage for areas to reopen. It reported significant damage to MacKenzie Falls, Zumsteins picnic ground and the Hollow Mountain area. It said these sites would take time to repair and to become safe for visitors.

Its list of open walking tracks is dated 23 January 2014. It included Venus Baths, all access walks to the Pinnacle, Turret Falls, Sundial Peak, Fyans Creek Loop, Boronia Peak and Silverband Falls. MacKenzie Falls was not on it.

A Parks Victoria notice dated 10 February 2014 said sections of the park had reopened. It asked visitors not to enter closed areas until they had been assessed and reopened. It linked to a list of open visitor sites, walking tracks and roads, and said all other areas of the park were closed. The notice was still on the park page on 28 February. Conditions can change. Ask at Brambuk, the National Park and Cultural Centre in Halls Gap, or call Parks Victoria on 13 1963 before you go.

The Parks Victoria visitor guide adds that on days of forecast Code Red fire danger the park may be closed. If you are already in the park when such a day is forecast, it says to leave the night before or early in the morning.

Sources for this section: Parks Victoria, 23 January update; Parks Victoria, park page; Parks Victoria, visitor guide.

The Pinnacle

The Pinnacle is a lookout with views over the Fyans Valley. Parks Victoria's central Grampians walks guide, dated March 2012, lists four routes to it. The one from the Sundial car park is 4.2 km return (round trip), takes 1.5 to 2 hours and is graded medium. The guide calls it the easiest route and warns of rock steps, slippery surfaces, several water crossings and some rock hopping. It says to wear sturdy shoes with a good tread and carry at least two litres of water per person.

The route from the Wonderland car park is longer. It is 5.5 km, takes 2 to 2½ hours and is graded medium to hard, with an elevation change of 280 metres. It crosses a footbridge into the Grand Canyon, passes Bridal Veil Falls (best after rain) and runs through Silent Street to the lookout. It comes back on the Wonderland Forest loop track. The guide calls the route a strenuous walk, and Halls Gap Tourism says it is for fit walkers only.

The guide also lists a hard 7.2 km return route from the Halls Gap Caravan Park, at 5 hours, with many steep staircases. A fourth route starts at Lake Bellfield.

Sources for this section: Parks Victoria, walks guide; Halls Gap Tourism, Pinnacle walk.

More walks on the 23 January open list

Each of these walks was on the 23 January list. The figures come from the March 2012 Parks Victoria walks guide unless noted.

• Venus Baths: 2.3 km return from the tennis courts on School Road in Halls Gap, along a shady track to rock pools (Halls Gap Tourism).
• Fyans Creek Loop: a 2.5 km loop of 30 to 50 minutes, graded easy, starting at Brambuk.
• Silverband Falls: 1.5 km return from the Silverband car park, 25 to 40 minutes, easy to medium. In March 2012 the guide said to expect some rock hopping, slippery surfaces and a creek crossing.
• Turret Falls: 2.2 km return from the Wonderland car park, 40 minutes to 1 hour, medium. The guide calls it a winter waterfall, best after rain.
• Sundial Peak: 4.2 km return from the Sundial car park, 1.5 to 2 hours, medium. The guide calls it a strenuous walk for fit and energetic walkers, with rock steps, some steep sections and slippery surfaces.
• Boronia Peak: 8 km return from Brambuk, 3 to 4 hours, medium, with a scramble up the rocky summit before you return the same way. The guide tells walkers to take care of cliffs.

Sources for this section: Parks Victoria, walks guide; Halls Gap Tourism, Venus Baths; Parks Victoria, 23 January update.

Wildflowers and the best times to walk

Spring is the wildflower season. Parks Victoria says the park's walking tracks let you explore brilliant spring wildflower displays. The Australian Government's National Heritage page counts over 975 native plant species, over one third of Victoria's flora. It also counts more than 75 orchid species.

Wikipedia calls winter and spring the best times for walking. It says the ranges can get very hot and dry in summer. Parks Victoria says a hat, drinking water and sunscreen are needed in summer.

Sources for this section: Parks Victoria, park page; Australian Government, National Heritage page; Parks Victoria, visitor guide; Wikipedia, Grampians National Park.

Halls Gap and Brambuk

Halls Gap Tourism said on 21 January 2014 that the village of Halls Gap was unaffected by the fire and safe to visit. Brambuk is on the southern edge of town. It is open every day from 9am to 5pm, except Christmas Day, and entry is free. Five Aboriginal communities with historic links to the ranges share its ownership.

At Brambuk you can see the Gariwerd Dreaming Theatre, taste bush foods in the cafe or join a rock art tour. The Australian Government's National Heritage page calls the park one of the richest Indigenous rock art sites in south-eastern Australia.

Sources for this section: Halls Gap Tourism, home page; Brambuk, About us; Parks Victoria, visitor guide; Parks Victoria, park page; Australian Government, National Heritage page.

Be prepared

The Parks Victoria walks guide says the park has steep cliffs. The guide's safety list includes keeping to the track and supervising children. It also says to carry a good quality map, bring drinking water and food, and finish well before dusk. The visitor guide says to check park conditions and the weather before your trip.

Sources for this section: Parks Victoria, walks guide; Parks Victoria, visitor guide.