Boutique hotels
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Royal Mail Hotel
- Style
- Gourmet-stamped pub
- Setting
- Southern Grampians panorama
Self-catering properties
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Mt Sturgeon
- Style
- Cosy country cottages
- Setting
- Panoramic peaks
The Grampians Overview
Australia
- Countryside
- Mountains, cliff faces and bushscapes
- Country Life
- Hiking boots and sparkling wines
If the striking geography of this Victorian mountain range doesn’t take your breath away, an on-foot sampling of its mighty trails should.
Craggy mountains, gushing waterfalls and impossibly cute wildlife vie for your attention whether via a low-geared stroll or a strenuous hike through bush or up rock. While it’s easy to tap into the magic of this national park with 150 kilometres of calorie-burning trekking at your feet, the Grampians isn’t just beguiling to adventure hounds. Tasty local produce, celebrated wine and critics-choice restaurants create a vibrant après-walk scene that allows the gastronomy of this area of natural beauty to be just as pulse-raising.
Typically The Grampians
Also known as Gariwerd to the local Jardwadjali and Dja Dja Wurrung Aborigines, the Grampians have been a sacred place for millennia. For aeons, Indigenous Australians have made their indelible marks amid the area’s brooding mountains and cliffs, leaving behind extraordinary rock art. Visit sites at Gulgurn Manja Shelter and Ngamadjidj Shelter, in the Northern Grampians near Mount Stapylton; Bunjil’s Shelter near Stawell; or the Billimina and Manja Shelters to the west.
Local knowledge
- Taxis
- Cabs are few and far between in the Grampians, and distances are significant, so fares can be pricey. Nearby operators include Ararat Taxis (03 5352 7777), Stawell Taxis (03 5358 4207) and Horsham Taxis (03 5381 1223).
- Tipping culture
- There are no requirements or expectations for tipping in Australia. If, however, you're so disposed, a 10 per cent gratuity is gratefully accepted in restaurants.
- Siesta and fiesta
- Businesses – shops, wineries, activities providers – tend to trade between 9am and 5pm with extended hours on weekends and busy periods. In low season (winter, from June to August) opening hours may be reduced.
- Packing tips
- Hi-tech designer-label outdoor apparel is the clobber of choice in the Grampians, even for less sporty types. Hiking boots, Gore-Tex and polar fleece are everywhere and you can wear your thermals with pride. When rambling, make sure you’re prepared with all-weather clothing and water, and take a map, compass and food for longer campaigns.
- Recommended reads
- Most books on the area are based around activities, such as Walking the Grampians by Garry Van Dijk, and Discovering Grampians-Gariwerd by Alistair Paton. Grampians – Selected Climbs by Simon Mentz and Glenn Tempest is one of several excellent rock-climbing guides.
- Cuisine
- The regional foodie scene features superb beef, lamb and dairy products artfully prepared at gastropubs and high-end restaurants by some of the country’s best chefs.
- Regional specialities
- Another Grampians speciality is tricked-up gourmet bush tucker – kangaroo, crocodile, barramundi, bush tomatoes and desert seeds. Western District cool-climate wines consistently win awards (see www.grampianswine.com.au) or make for nearby Mount Zero Olives (www.mountzeroolives.com), Australia’s premier olive producer with a café and farm-gate sales.
- Currency
- Australian dollar (AU$).
- Time zone
- GMT + 10.
- Dialling codes
- Country code: +61; Victoria (0)3. When dialling internationally the leading zero of the area code is dropped.
- Do go/don't go
- Spring (September to November) and autumn (March to May) are the best times to visit. Spring brings the blooming wildflowers and orchids, and autumn provides long mild days, which are perfect for walking and climbing. Summer days (December to February) can be oppressively hot, while winter (June to August) tends to be wet, with night-time temperatures sometimes falling to zero.
Don't go home without...
walking the Nerve Test. At the end of the Pinnacle Walk is this unsigned sliver of narrow rock that falls away perilously on each side. Whether you’re testing your machismo or showing off sure-footed gymnastics, there are no second chances.
