Everything you need to know before camping in Grampians National Park
There's nothing like hitting the open road on a good old Australia road trip. And when your journey's backdrop is the magnetic Grampians National Park – you know you’re in for a treat. In the heart of Victoria, approximately two and a half hours west of Melbourne, this rugged mountainous paradise offers a perfect campervan escape to surround yourself with towering mountains, beautiful cascading waterfalls, ancient Aboriginal rock art sites, and a buzzing hub of native wildlife.
This guide will be your best friend to exploring this expansive park, including our best tips on what to include on your very own travel itinerary to this breathtaking camping destination. From the best Grampians walks to the must-do activities and the essential tips for a campervan trip to Grampians National Park—here's everything you need to know before starting out on one of the best road trips from Melbourne. Here is a little peek into what is to come:
Where is Grampians National Park
Cradled in the wild and remote heart of Victoria, Australia, the Grampians National Park sits roughly 235 kilometres west of the bustling city of Melbourne. Covering a vast expanse of around 1,672 square kilometres, this park boasts rugged mountain terrains, fascinating one-of-a-kind rock formations, native wildlife, and ancient Aboriginal rock art sites. All in all, it's a haven for outdoorsy adventurers. The Grampians offers a gamut of activities, from hiking and rock climbing to camping and wildlife spotting.
Image: Visit Victoria
What’s the best way to explore Grampians National Park?
Hiring a campervan is easily one of the best ways to experience the best road trips from Melbourne – including a trip to Grampians National Park. A campervan offers the autonomy and freedom to design your own travel itinerary, explore untouched corners of the Grampians map, and (best of all) change plans on a whim as the weather, or other unexpected adventures, present themselves. With a conveniently located Mighty camper hire in Melbourne, you can enjoy the simplicity of this central pickup location, as well as the unparalleled blend of comfort and freedom when you hit the road in a campervan. The best part? Your campervan hire incorporates both your vehicle hire and your accommodation, making it an even more affordable way of getting out to your favourite destinations.
What can you do in Grampians National Park
The Grampians National Park is an integral part of the Gariwerd Aboriginal cultural landscape. Boasting a smorgasbord of activities, nature lovers and adventurers alike will revel in this natural playground. Here are some of the amazing activities you might want to check out on your upcoming campervan hire adventure:
Hiking in the Grampians National Park
The Grampians are world-renowned for the huge selection of scenic hiking trails ranging from easy strolls to challenging scrambles like the Pinnacle walk. Here are some of the best hiking spots to add to your hiking travel itinerary:
The Pinnacle Walk: Otherwise known as ‘the Pinnacle’, this popular track offers two different trail choices, leading to one of the most iconic viewpoints on the Grampians map. The Pinnacles walks reward hikers with panoramic vistas of the Halls Gap valley below.
MacKenzie Falls Walk: This easygoing path takes you to the base of one of Victoria’s largest and most picturesque waterfalls: MacKenzie Falls. Here you can choose to face the mist and the thundering downpour from the lookout platform or adventure along the steep track to the base of the falls.
The Balconies / Reed Lookout: Hikers can access both of these easy-grade walks from the Reed Lookout car park. Choose to enjoy the simplicity of gazing over the Reed Lookout from the car park, or venture along the 2km stroll that leads to the Balconies and its incredible views of the Victorian Valley and surrounding ranges.
Rock climbing in the Grampians National Park
The Grampians National Park, with its rugged peaks and steep rock faces, gives adventure seekers the opportunity to explore some of the best rock climbing and bouldering in Australia. Some routes and faces to check out are below:
Taipan Wall: One of the world's premier climbing destinations, it's not for the faint-hearted. For avid climbers, this route offers a good challenge and unparalleled views
Hollow Mountain: This classic is a favourite among rock climbers for its diverse vertical routes, testing bouldering sites and unique cave formations.
Top Tip: Many of the caves and vertical walls in the Grampians are highly valuable to the traditional owners of the land, and many climbing routes have been closed and/or rerouted in the past few years (and continue to do so to preserve this region). So be sure to consult Parks Victoria’s rock climbing sites information sheet before setting out on your climbing adventure in the Grampians National Park.
Explore the waterfalls in the Grampians National Park
The Grampians houses a number of stunning waterfalls, each unique in its charm. Some of the best waterfalls to check out in the Grampians include:
Silverband Falls: A thin and elegant stream of water that seemingly disappears into the ground below. This is the perfect afternoon chill spot to hang out with a picnic and a book.
Fish Falls: An often-overlooked gem, these falls are accessible via a moderate hike and offer a peaceful retreat away from the crowds.
Wildlife watching in the Grampians National Park
Nature enthusiasts will adore the park's rich biodiversity. Some of the best wildlife-watching opportunities in the Grampians include:
Kangaroos at Halls Gap: Visit at dawn or dusk and witness kangaroos grazing, hopping, and lounging in the valley.
Birdwatching: With over 200 bird species, the Grampians is a bird lover's paradise. Keep your eyes peeled for cockatoos, rosellas, and even the elusive wedge-tailed eagle soaring above.
Wombats and Wallabies: The park’s wooded areas and thickets are often frequented by these iconic Australian marsupials. Tread softly, and you might spot one!
Image: Visit Victoria
Aboriginal Rock Art Sites in the Grampians National Park
Take a step back in time and immerse yourself in the ancient Aboriginal heritage on display throughout the park. Some of the must-visit Aboriginal sites on the Grampians map include:
Bunjil Shelter: A significant cultural site, this location showcases the figure of Bunjil painted on the rock within a cave. Bunjil is the main Dreaming Being in South Australia and, in Dreamtime stories, is known as being the creator of the whole natural world. This shelter artwork in the Grampians is the only known painting of Bunjil in Australia and is well over one thousand years old.
Gulgurn Manja Shelter: Meaning 'hands of young people', this site displays red ochre handprints created by over one thousand years of generations of young people. Both the art and signage offer a unique insight into the ancient indigenous practice of ochre hand painting. The cave is easily accessed via a 1km self-guided walk from Hollow Mountain Car Park.
Scenic Drives in the Grampians National Park
If you prefer to see the sights from the comfort of your vehicle, there are plenty of great road trips to go on within the park itself. Here are a few scenic road trip adventures to add to your Grampians National Park travel itinerary:
Mount Victory Road: This drive winds through the heart of the park, accessing popular spots like The Balconies and Reeds Lookout.
Grampians Tourist Road: This road offers magnificent views and stops from Dunkeld through to the Mirranatwa Gap and is an essential part of any Grampians travel itinerary. From this drive, you will be able to access many of the local wineries, gardens and galleries, as well as the Mirranatwa Gap lookout, with impressive views over the Grampians National Park.
What to know before you go to Grampians National Park
Ready to start exploring this iconic Victoria destination in a campervan? Well, before diving headfirst into your Grampians adventure, there are a few essentials to know. From camping permits to clothing, we have outlined all the essentials you will need before setting out on your Grampians National Park adventure.
Image: Visit Victoria
Permits and reservations for national parks
Grampians National Park has grown into a bit of a global sensation in the past few years, its allure drawing travellers from far and wide. So it's a good idea to get a head start on camping permits and reservations. Beyond simply securing a space to rest your head, this booking system is in place to help manage visitor numbers, ensuring the pristine nature of the park remains undisturbed. Having a permit guarantees you won't be left searching for a spot, especially during peak seasons when campgrounds are booming.
Camping areas in the Grampians
The Grampians isn't a one-size-fits-all destination. Within the park, you will find both full-service camping spots as well as more remote, simple camping spots. Here are a few we recommend in the park:
Halls Gap Lakeside Tourist Park: This is a great spot if you are looking for the convenience of facilities such as power hookups, water fill-ups, dump stations and more.
Jimmy Creek Campground: If you are seeking the solitude of remote camping without power or water hookups, this is a great option that gets you deep and close to nature.
Top Tip: When planning your road trip, remember that you usually need to plug your campervan into a mains power supply every two days or so to keep things like your fridge and batteries running. So be sure to plan this into your camping bookings accordingly. For first-time travellers, we recommend checking out the backpacker’s guide to travelling Australia in a campervan for more insightful tips and tricks on camping and holiday parks.
Essential camping gear for exploring the Grampians
Apart from the basics like tents and sleeping bags, when venturing into the wilderness of the Grampians, remember to pack items tailored to the dynamic weather of the Grampians' environment. Some of the essentials include:
Sturdy shoes for long hikes
Weather-appropriate clothing
Comprehensive first-aid kit
Sunscreen and insect repellent
Portable cooker or BBQ for cooking in the great outdoors
Water and hydration while hiking in the Grampians
While the Grampians offers several natural water sources throughout the park, their availability can be sporadic, especially in drier seasons. As such, it's worthwhile to always carry more water than you think you'll need and have a method to purify natural water, whether through filtration systems or purification tablets. Staying hydrated ensures you will be able to fully enjoy everything the park has to offer.
Leave no trace
As visitors, we have a responsibility to ensure our presence doesn't disrupt the natural beauty of this Australian gem. From cleaning up trash to respecting established paths and campgrounds, every little bit counts. Be extra vigilant with food scraps which can attract wildlife to areas they usually would be found. By following the principles of ‘Leave No Trace’, we ensure the park can be a wild refuge for generations to come.
Weather conditions in Grampians National Park
Grampians National Park, with its vast undulating landscape, experiences a huge range of weather patterns. Summers can be warm and dry, while evenings, especially in elevated areas, can see temperatures drop to crisp and chilly negatives. Beyond this, it's not uncommon to experience sudden rain showers or gusty winds without much warning. Before setting off, always check local forecasts. When exploring the Grampians in a campervan hire, we recommend coming prepared with rain gear, warm clothing, as well as a hat and sunglasses to cover all bases.
Image: Mark Clinton
Wildlife awareness
The Grampians is easily one of the best road trips from Melbourne to experience the huge diversity of Australian wildlife. While spotting a kangaroo or witnessing the majestic flight of local birds will likely be the highlight of your trip, remember these creatures are wild. Always maintain a respectful distance and avoid feeding them, as human food can be harmful to both their digestion and ability to feed themselves. During the warmer months, it's also important to be snake-aware. They are a natural part of the park's ecosystem and, with the right precautions, pose no threat to your adventure. That being said, it is likely you may come across one on your path, so it is always good to familiarise yourself with snake safety measures and know what to do in case of an emergency.
Bushfire safety
The Australian bush is beautiful, wild, thick and rugged – making it quite susceptible to fires, especially in the heat of summer. When planning a campervan road trip itinerary to national parks and more remote areas of Australia, it's important to regularly check local fire warnings, adhere to fire bans, and stay updated on safety protocols. Knowing the evacuation routes from your camping area, following all guidelines provided by park authorities, and having a bushfire action plan can be invaluable.
Ready for your next adventure with Mighty?
From exploring rock formations to spotting playful kangaroos, the Grampians National Park promises a whirlwind of adventures. Whether you're a seasoned hiker or just dipping your toes into the world of campervan road trips, there is no better way to stretch your travel budget than going on a Mighty campervan road trip to explore the Grampians National Park.
