6-day Grampians National Park family itinerary

By Dilvin Yasa

The Grampians, a series of spectacular sandstone ridges working together to create a dazzling landscape of peaks and valleys three hours west of Melbourne in Victoria, are an adventure lover’s dream come true, but are also a fantastic destination for all of the family. Here you will find a sprinkle of historic towns interspersed with jaw-dropping waterfalls, panoramic lookouts and a bounty of wildlife and adrenaline activities.

Crisp autumn days in the Grampians go hand-in-hand with active daytime adventures, but it’s hard to beat the beauty of spring, when the region’s famous wildflowers bloom in force. This six-day road trip, departing from and returning to Melbourne (there are daily flights here from most capital cities, and hire cars can be collected at the airport or in the city), is packed with the best the region has to offer.

Day 1: Melbourne to Halls Gap

• Drive time: 3 hours

Leave Melbourne early and make a point of stopping in Ballarat, roughly halfway to Halls Gap, and a veritable wonderland for kids of all ages. Stretch your legs at the Adventure Playground and Indigenous Playground of Lake Wendouree, or the Art Gallery of Ballarat, the largest regional art gallery in Australia.

Back on the road, time your drive so you arrive at the award-winning The Royal Mail Hotel in Dunkeld around lunchtime. Situated right at the foothills of the Grampians, the hotel is home to both the country’s largest working restaurant kitchen garden and an extensive wine list (more than 2,800 options). The kids will enjoy dining at Parker Street Project, where little ones have their own menus and highchairs, while adults will enjoy that aforementioned wine list.

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Day 2: Immerse yourself in Aboriginal culture

There’s no better way to start your family’s Grampians adventure than at Brambuk, the nation’s longest-running Aboriginal centre, where you can brush up your collective knowledge of Aboriginal culture. Do away with all fears of dry presentations; this centre is big on immersive experiences. Think boomerang painting, bush tucker tasting and didgeridoo workshops.

Now it's time to get out and about in the region's celebrated landscape on the 2.5-kilometre (1.5-mile) Venus Baths Loop Walk, which starts in the centre of Halls Gap and crosses over Stony Creek. Grab takeaway sandwiches in town before you head off. In the warmer months, the rockpools fill with fresh water, making it the perfect place for a swim and picnic lunch. The iconic Pinnacle walk and lookout is a highlight; the two-kilometre (1.3-mile) walk from Wonderland Car Park is steeper and rockier, but offers the best Grampians hiking experience.

Pop by the local supermarket for some barbecue supplies, head back to the holiday park and make full use of the facilities before resting your tired feet for the night.

Day 3: Take in some waterplay 

Start your day in an oarsome manner: by booking a half-day canoeing tour with Absolute Outdoors. This adventure will have you paddling through beautiful Lake Bellfield, where gilled friends are chomping at the bit to meet you. No experience necessary; the guides will teach you everything you need to know.

Head back into town for lunch (those with adventurous palates may wish to try the Bushfoods Café in Brambuk Cultural Centre, where the menu is heavy on kangaroo, emu and crocodile) before taking the scenic 30-minute drive along Mount Victory Road to MacKenzie Falls car park, the starting point to one of the largest waterfalls in Victoria. The price of watching water cascading down huge cliffs into a deep gorge? A steep 30-minute trail each way.

Need a nature intermission? Pop in for a game of mini golf at Grampians Adventure Golf and follow it up with a bistro meal at Halls Gap Hotel.

Day 4: Animal instincts 

Check out of your accommodation and take the five-minute drive over to Halls Gap Zoo, where more than 160 native and exotic species of animals from around the world are waiting to make your acquaintance. This isn’t just a case of waving at them from afar; here you can hand-feed kangaroos and deer, play with wombats and dingoes, and enjoy a picnic or barbecue lunch while the kids play in the playground.

Give yourself the afternoon off, check into your accommodation and familiarise yourself with the facilities. Tomorrow is going to be a busy day.

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Day 5: Rock climbing in the Grampians

Unleash your inner-adventurer, because today you’ll take on the rockfaces of the region with Grampians Adventure. Depending on your collective skillset, you can opt for a half-day, three-quarter or full-day beginner’s session, or you can speak to the crew about multi-pitch sessions or top-rope and lead climbing courses. Pack a lunch and aim for the full-day, eight-hour session.

Stay: Complete that cosy mountain feeling and book an architecturally designed cabin at DULC, where each mountain view cabin is modelled to blend seamlessly into the surrounding bushland.

Day 6: A horse-riding adventure

There’s no better way to enjoy your final morning in the Grampians than to spend some time watching the local wildlife from the comfort of your bed or deck. After lunch, take the 50-minute drive to Brimpaen for a 2.5-hour riding session at Grampians Horse Riding; they cater to everyone from nervous beginners to experienced riders.

For lunch, drive 15 minutes to Wartook Valley for a slap-up meal at The Wander Inn and one last picturesque walk – this time around the shores of Lake Wartook. Then it’s time for the 3.5-hour drive back to Melbourne.