Grade 1

Grampians Central Range Walk (36km)

Grampians National Park

Victoria

36km

3 days

Grade 4

Circuit

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Quick overview: The Grampians Central Range Walk is a rewarding three day hike that links some of the most iconic landscapes in the central Grampians. Starting and finishing in Halls Gap, the route follows sections of the Grampians Peaks Trail to The Pinnacle, Silent Street, Sundial Lookout and Mount Rosea. Walkers traverse sandstone ridges, forested gullies and expansive terraces with sweeping views across the Serra and Mount William ranges. With well spaced camps at Bugiga and Borough Huts, it offers a memorable multi day experience through the heart of the park.
Length:
36km
Duration:
3 days
Grade:
4
Style:
Circuit

Max elevation: 990m

Min elevation: 238m

Total Ascent: 1575m

Start: Halls Gap
End: Halls Gap
Grampians National Park
Victoria
Nearby town: Halls Gap
From state capital: 253km
Latitude: -37.13836894
Longitude: 142.5175076723099
4 Reviews
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Hike overview

The Grampians Central Range Walk is a three day hike through the central section of Grampians National Park, linking many of the area's most iconic lookouts and sandstone formations.

Stage One - Halls Gap to Bugiga

8.6km - 5 hours
Starting from the car park in Halls Gap, walk past the swimming pool, cross the road and follow signs to the walking track near Stony Creek. Follow the creek along the formed track to Venus Baths. Just before reaching the rock pools, take the track towards Splitters Falls. A short detour leads to the falls before returning to the main track.

From here the route climbs steadily through a rocky gully to the Grand Canyon. At the top of the steps, follow the signs across the rocky platforms as the track ascends through woodland and the narrow sandstone corridor of Silent Street before reaching the famous Pinnacle lookout. From the lookout there are sweeping views across Mount William, Halls Gap and the Fyans Valley.

Continue south following the Grampians Peaks Trail (GPT) signs to Lakeside Lookout and on to Sundial Carpark. Much of this section follows the ridge with excellent views along the way. From Sundial Carpark follow the track towards Sundial Lookout for about 250 metres, then continue on the track towards Rosea Carpark. After about 1.1 kilometres turn onto the Bugiga Link Track and follow it to Bugiga Camp for your first night. Alternatively, continue further down the track to the Stony Creek Group Hikers Camp.

Stage Two - Bugiga to Borough Huts Campground

13.8km - 5 to 6 hours
Follow the track to Rosea Carpark, then cross Stony Creek Road to begin the climb through tall Messmate forest. As the track gains the ridge, carefully follow the markers through a maze of sandstone outcrops before crossing a bridge over the Gate of the East Wind.

The climb continues across exposed terraces to a signposted junction leading to the summit of Mount Rosea. From the summit there are expansive 360 degree views across the Serra and Mount William ranges. After enjoying the views, follow the markers down through sheltered forest. The track winds through rocky outcrops and forested gullies before reaching Borough Huts Campground for your second night.

Stage Three - Borough Huts to Halls Gap

13.6km - 5 to 6 hours
From the campground, carefully cross the Grampians Tourist Road and follow the track to Bellfield Track. Continue along the Terraces Fireline until reaching the Tandara Road intersection. From here follow Tandara Road to its end, where a sealed walking track continues back to Halls Gap.

Track grade

Grade 4 (Hard) - Challenging Walks for Experienced Walkers: Grade 4 on the AWTGS signifies challenging walking tracks. Bushwalking experience is recommended for these tracks, which may be long, rough, and very steep. Directional signage may be limited, requiring a good sense of navigation. These walks are suited for experienced walkers who are comfortable with steeper inclines, rougher terrain, and potentially longer distances.

Walk map and GPX file

Grampians Central Range Walk (36km)

Total distance: 36027 m
Max elevation: 993 m
Min elevation: 232 m
Total climbing: 1585 m
Total descent: -1585 m
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GPX files, maps and content are copyright Trail Hiking Australia. Not to be copied, redistributed or uploaded to other platforms including AllTrails.

Explore safely

Planning this hike? Most incidents develop before you even start. Safe outcomes depend on how navigation, hydration, environment, load and judgement work together. Small oversights can compound quickly in Australian conditions. See how it happens in the Hiking Safety Systems Foundations. Then use the Hiking Safety Systems, planning calculators, and make sure a trusted contact has your trip plan before heading out.

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Register your plans

Before you go, complete a trip intentions form and share it with a trusted contact. Agree on a Late-Back Time and ask them to call 000 (Police) if you have not checked in. A clear trip plan is one of the simplest and most effective safety steps you can take.

Planning checklists

Download the hiking preparation and safety checklists before leaving home to help you think through your plans. They help ensure important considerations are not overlooked and support safer decision-making on the trail.

Getting there

Getting to the trailhead: Grampians National Park.

To reach the trailhead in Halls Gap from Melbourne, follow the Western Highway west through Ballarat and Ararat. As you approach Stawell, turn onto Halls Gap Road and continue south toward the Grampians. This scenic drive forms part of the Inland Way touring route and takes you through open farmland before the mountains of the Grampians begin to rise ahead. Continue along Halls Gap Road until you reach the township of Halls Gap, where parking is available near the town centre and the start of the walking tracks.

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Access conditions

  • 2WD Access
  • Public Transport
  • Speed Bumps
  • Accessible Toilet
  • Public Toilets
  • Picnic Shelter
  • BBQ Facilities

Accommodation nearby

Find Accommodation

Find accommodation close to the trailhead including hotels, cabins, and campgrounds. Use the interactive map to explore available options in nearby towns.

Nearby towns: Ararat, Cavendish, Dadswells Bridge, Dunkeld, Halls Gap, Horsham, Landsborough, Pomonal, Stawell, Warracknabeal

About the region

Grampians National Park, traditionally known as Gariwerd, forms part of an important Aboriginal cultural landscape in western Victoria. The park sits near the town of Halls Gap in Victoria, about 260 kilometres west of Melbourne, and is one of the most recognisable national parks in Australia. For many visitors, the best way to experience the park is on foot, following the network of well-known walks, bushwalks and longer hikes that wind through its rugged ranges and valleys. Scenic drives offer a good introduction, but stepping onto the trail allows you to properly appreciate the scale and character of the landscape.

Walking through the Grampians reveals an ever-changing environment. Tracks lead to waterfalls that flow strongly after rain, across rocky ridgelines, and through forest that bursts into colour during the spring wildflower season. Along the way it is common to see kangaroos grazing in open clearings, wallabies moving quietly through the bush, or emus striding across grassy flats. Birdlife is also abundant, and many people find that slowing their pace on walks helps them notice far more than they would from a vehicle.

The area holds deep cultural significance for the Traditional Owners and contains the largest concentration of Aboriginal rock art sites in southern Australia. These ancient shelters and paintings provide an important connection to the long human history of the region. Visitors interested in learning more can start their visit at Brambuk – The National Park and Cultural Centre near Halls Gap. The centre provides cultural information and context that adds meaning to many of the nearby bushwalks and hikes.

Today the Grampians attracts walkers from across Australia and overseas, drawn by its wide range of all trails suitable for different levels of experience. Short walks around Halls Gap and the Wonderland Range provide accessible ways to explore the area, while more demanding hikes lead to some of the park’s most recognised viewpoints. The climb to The Pinnacle is particularly popular, offering expansive views across the ranges, although the steep sections mean it is best suited to reasonably fit walkers.

For those seeking a longer challenge, the park also supports multi-day hikes that reward careful planning and preparation. The Grampians Peaks Trail has become one of Australia’s most talked about long-distance hikes, linking dramatic sections of the range across several days of walking. Experienced bushwalkers may also consider overnight routes such as Major Mitchell Plateau or the hike through The Fortress and Mount Thackeray area, where quieter trails allow walkers to spend more time exploring remote parts of the park.

Whether you are planning a relaxed walk, a challenging bushwalk, or a multi-day hike, the Grampians offers an impressive range of trails that highlight the character of this remarkable part of Victoria. With careful planning and the right level of preparation, visitors can experience some of the most rewarding walks and hikes in the state.

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Grampians Central Range Walk (36km)

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Acknowledgement of Country

Grampians central range walk (36km) trail hiking australia

Trail Hiking Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the lands on which we hike and pay respects to their Elders, past and present, and we acknowledge the First Nations people of other communities who may be here today.

Curated by: Darren Edwards | Trail Hiking Australia
Last modified:

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