The Major Mitchell Plateau Circuit is a challenging 41km Grade 4 multi-day hike within Grampians National Park (Gariwerd), Victoria. This well-established route offers a scenic journey across the namesake plateau, known for its panoramic vistas and affordable campsites compared to the Grampians Peaks Trail.
The traditional circuit spans approximately 41km, with an optional extension to Redman Bluff adding 16km. Over three days, hikers experience the highest point in the Grampians - Mount William - and traverse the iconic ridgelines and rocky sections this area is renowned for.
A highlight of the Major Mitchell Plateau Circuit is its access to various campsites, including options outside the Grampians Peaks Trail network, making it a more budget-friendly overnight adventure. This multi-day trek predates the development of the Grampians Peaks Trail and offers a quieter experience due to its location south of Halls Gap.
Beginning and ending at Sheep Hills car park, the circuit unfolds over three days and two nights, covering up to 15km each day with significant elevation changes of up to 850 meters. The route ascends through untouched eucalypt and banksia forests, rewarding hikers with breathtaking views across valleys and surrounding ranges as they approach Mount William's summit.
Following the summit and Boundary Gap section, a majestic rock escarpment presents an exhilarating climb to the Major Mitchell Plateau itself. Here, panoramic vistas unfold, showcasing the vastness of the park and the grazing lands beyond. The loop concludes on the third day by descending the plateau via Jimmy Creek and crossing the Wannon River before returning to the starting point.
Day One
Sheep Hills Carpark to First Wannon Hiker Campsite (13km - 5 Hours)
This walk begins as a gentle stroll through a forest of Stringybark's and Banksias before rising steadily to a ridge where you will be rewarded with great views of the neighbouring ranges and valleys. Follow the ridge until the track intersects with the Mount William Road. Follow the sealed road towards your right until you reach the Mount William Carpark. From the Carpark follow the sealed road beyond the gate towards the summit of Mount William (Duwul). Before the summit, follow an old management vehicle track along the top of the range, the track narrows and descends to Boundary Gap (Dirag). A steep rock scramble upwards brings you onto the Major Mitchell Plateau, and the First Wannon Hiker Campsite is reached shortly after.
Day Two
First Wannon Hiker Campsite to Jimmy Creek Campground (13km - 5 Hours)
The track continues beyond the First Wannon Hiker Campsite along the Major Mitchell Plateau, revealing magnificent panoramic views. Keep watch for the track markers along the less conspicuous sections of the track. The track leaves the Major Mitchell Plateau and descends steeply to Stockyard Saddle; continue along a Management Vehicle Track that leads to a helipad. From the helipad, the walking track gradually winds downhill to Jimmy Creek Campground.
Day Three
Jimmy Creek Campground to Sheep Hills Carpark (15km - 5 Hours)
Cross the Wannon River at the footbridge and follow the track to the Ingleton Fireline. From this intersection follow the Fireline north. Cross over Serra Road and continue along the undulating Fireline, directional signage indicates the turn-off to Sheep Hills Carpark.
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.
The National Park maintains several campgrounds of note, with toilet facilities and bush showers, however drinking water is not necessarily available from the sites and it is strongly advised to bring your own. These sites require permits, available at Brambuk in Halls Gap, where you can also notify your trip intentions if you are planning an extended walk into the park. Check out the Parks Victoria website for more information and guidelines on bush camping.
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From Melbourne, follow National Highway M8 and A8 to Barkly St/C222 in Ararat. Follow C222 and Grampians Rd/C216 to Mount William Track in Pomonal.
Renowned for rugged mountain ranges, rich cultural heritage and breathtaking scenic views, the 168,000 hectare park is ideal for a wide range of outdoor activities. The many walking tracks will take you on a journey to waterfall vistas, ancient geological rock features and forests. There are guided tours, and with a large network of roads available, car touring is a great way to explore. Renowned as the major attraction in the region, the Grampians National Park is a must-visit destination for all travellers, backpackers and day-trippers in Victoria.
The spectacular setting of the mountainous landscape boasts a wide array of attractions and activities for visitors to the region. The Grampians National Park (also Gariwerd), commonly referred to as The Grampians, is a national park in the Grampians region of Victoria, Australia. The 167,219-hectare (413,210-acre) national park is situated between Stawell and Horsham on the Western Highway and Dunkeld on the Glenelg Highway, 260 kilometres west of Melbourne and 460 kilometres east of Adelaide.
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While planning your hike, it’s important to check official government sources for updated information, temporary closures and trail access requirements. Before hitting the trail, check local weather and bushfire advice for planned burns and bushfire warnings and let someone know before you go. Plan ahead and hike safely.
Adventure with peace of mind: Fill out your trip intentions form. Before you hit the trail, fill out an online form to privately send important details about your hike to your family or friends. If you don’t return on time, they can easily alert emergency services, preventing worry and ensuring a swift response. Hike with peace of mind and enjoy your outdoor adventure to the fullest. Be smart, be safe: Register your plans here.
What you carry in your pack will depend on the weather, terrain, time of year, type of adventure, and personal preferences. Having trouble deciding what gear’s right for you? My free planning, food and packing checklists provide an introduction to things your could consider (as well as the Ten Essentials) on your day, overnight and multi-day adventures. Customise your kit according to your personal needs, always considering safety first.Â
Trail changed? New features discovered? Has the route changed? Trail permanently closed? Help fellow hikers by suggesting edits! Click above to update route descriptions, GPX file, trail features (like boardwalks), or access conditions (like parking availability). Help me keep the trails info fresh!
1 Review on “Major Mitchell Plateau Circuit Hike (41km)”
Hello, Me (19) and my little brother (14) decided it would be a great idea to do this hike during are school holidays break in July this year. Coming from Melbourne it was about a 4-hour drive and we were on the trail walking by 11am. The first obstacle was the bridge a mere 100 metres from the carpark this was the most slippery bridge I have ever seen so safe to say my butt was very bruised. Other that that this section is not part of the Grampians peaks trail and was littered with slippery rock and limbs and occasionally a fallen tree, trail is defined and it is possible for us to get through. Are walking pace is relatively slow but we had 3 phones between us all with the GPX file which was incredibly useful. After about 2 hours of mostly being on the colder side of the mountains we finally got some sun near the Mt William carpark at roughly 1pm. From the carpark to the summit seems like an easy bit in comparison but it should not be taken too lightly there are parts of it that are quite steep epically for an asphalt road. Luckily, I had done this part of the walk previously and knew what this ascent was like, but this was a bit harder to do with a pack on. The next stage of the hike was from the summit of Mt Wiliam to the first Wannon hike in campsite. It began by leaving the road, the towers and switched to proper walking track with boot cleaning station. By this the sun was setting and we were about 5ish kms from the campsite. After a couple stops to take in the view and the amazing sunset the torches came out and so did the jumpers. Overall this section had a mixture of stairs, steep descents (Not the most fun in the dark) and the occasional boardwalk before the campsite. By this stage the morale of my not so motivated brother dropped a bit, but eventually we made it too the campsite at around 6:30-7pm and as I was still in shorts and the temperature had basically dropped by 10 degrees in a matter of hours the set up was swift and the dinner from inside the tent was much needed. The ‘nail in the coffin’ for my brother was probably the little native mouse who visited us mid way through dinner reminding us to seal up our packs, hide our boots inside the tent, encase you were wondering my little brother named this mouse ‘bi*ch’.
In the morning we woke up to a real feel of -1 degree and quite a bit of ice on the tent, but after a quick pack up we were on our way by 9am. This day of walking was easily the best out of the whole trip, with many boardwalks, good for the time weather and spectacular views we ended up having lunch on the top of Banksia hill. Marking the end of the plateau and the end of any major uphill sections. Between Banksia hill and Durd-durd hike in campsite there was a nasty little descent with loose rocks and a well-defined trail followed by relatively fine walking path until maintenance type tracks. Having second lunch at Durd-Durd at around 1:30pm. Note: Durd-Durd hike in campsite is spectacular in terms of facilities with tables, platforms for tents and the ‘million dollar toilet’ with included solar charging? This was unexpected and a complete opposite to the first Wannon campsite which had a clearing for tents and creek access and a nice rock to pack your bag on. From Durd-Durd to jimmy creek you head towardas the helipad an begin the descending the well constructed stairs. This was easy sailing in comparision and with good weather quite relaxing and enjoyable. Once you get too the Y in the track follow signs going right where you officially leave the Grampians peaks trail encountering a couple fallen limbs and a sizeable tree but previous hikers have formed a path around or through or in some cases over the top. Eventually you meet the road walk along the road for about 300m turning off onto the dirt road towards jimmy creek campground 200m with fellow campers, fires (Seasonal), active wildlife and drop toilets.
The next morning was supposed to be a little more bushwalking back to the car. But it was forecasted to rain 6mm overnight and roughly 8-10mm during that day. So the tough decision was made to walk back along the side of the road for a period of about 13-14kms. Very annoyingly we barely got any rain the entire walk back to the car and likely risked our lives for nothing… In hindsight I think the best decision would have been to walk along the road for a mere 3-4 kms and hop on Serra Road and walk on the marked track all the way back to sheep hills carpark. Additionally, we were wary of teddy bear gap section of the track in less-than-ideal conditions with likely minimal sanctuary locations. But I was not alone we decided the road was the best option for the time and the conditions but for your information it did rain a lot on the drive home back to Melbourne returning at around 5pm.
My suggestions for anyone thinking of doing this hike would be to go early, anticipate the climb of roughly 8kms uphill on the first day, keep up to date with weather and anticipate unusual weather and last of all be prepared (Better prepared than we were). Overall, I loved it 5/5 can’t wait for the next adventure.
Darren if your reading this thanks for the GPX file and the infromation I gathered from this website it was invaluable in the planning stage and the pictures of your group completing it made me think me and my little brother can do it with our youthful optimism and our love for beef jerky.
Such a great trip report and I am really pleased you both enjoyed the journey. Sounds like you both had an excellent adventure, despite the sneaky mouse. Well done to you both and I am glad the info here helped you. Hope you enjoy many more walks in the future.
For anyone reading this, you can find Ryan’s trip repot here: https://www.trailhiking.com.au/trip-reports/trip-report-major-mitchell-plateau-circuit/