The Grampians National Park (“Gariwerd” is the aboriginal word) is a park , 235 kilometres west of Melbourne, which was listed on the National Heritage List on 15 December 2006 for its outstanding natural beauty and being one of the richest Indigenous rock art sites in south-eastern Australia. Not to confuse with the Grampians Montains in Scotland, this area is a distinct physiographic section of the larger Western Victorian Highlands province, which in turn is part of the larger East Australian Cordillera physiographic division.
The general form that the ranges take is, from the west, a series of low-angled sandstone ridges running roughly north-south. The eastern sides of the ridges, where the sedimentary layers have faulted, are steep and spectacular, beyond the vertical in places - notably at Hollow Mountain near Dadswell's Bridge at the northern end of the ranges. The most popular walking area for day trippers is the Wonderland area near Halls Gap. In summer the ranges can get very hot and dry. Winter and spring are the best times for walking. The Wonderland area is also host to "The Grand Canyon" on the "Wonderland Loop" on one of the tracks to the "Pinnacle".
In spring the Grampians wildflowers are a major attraction. The area is a rock climbing destination, and it is popular with campers and bushwalkers for its many spectacular views and unspoilt nature.
The highest peak is Mont William at 1167 metres. Numerous waterfalls are found in the park and are easily accessible via a well developed road network.
If you decide to visit the Grampians, you will have to stay at least one night in Halls Gap; it is the largest service town in the area and a central place, which allows you to move easily from a point to another.
But be aware that the time you will spend there will be a complete immersion in the nature. Anyway, you will be cut of the world: no mobile; there is no connection!!! And only one bus per day for the city of Ararat.
When you go for a walk, try to never go alone, it is easy to loose yourself there and always keep your eyes open; I had the chance to see a deer and a lot of kangaroos (not a surprise in Australia).
Don’t miss the aboriginal centre called The Brambuk National Park and Cultural Centre, owned and managed by five aboriginal communities, where they will explain to you how to the Jardwadjali and Djab wurrung peoples Gariwerd was central to the dreaming of the creator, Bunjil, and buledji Brambimbula, the two brothers Bram, who were responsible for the creation and naming of many landscape features in western Victoria.
Grampians National Park (Gariwerd) is one of the richest Indigenous rock art sites in south-eastern Australia and was listed on the National Heritage for its natural beauty and its past and continuing aboriginal cultural associations. Motifs painted in numerous caves include depictions of humans, human hands, animal tracks and birds. Some caves are compared to the “grottes de Lascaux” in France
A major bushfire burned out about 50 per cent of the Grampians National Park in January 2006. Soon after this bushfire, however, the first signs of regeneration were already visible, with regrowth of the eucalyptus trees. But you can still see the mark of this fire on many trees or parts of forest.
