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Length: 10.5km
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Duration: 3hrs
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Grade: 3
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Style: One Way
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Start: Wartook Valley
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End: Zumsteins Picnic Area
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Location: Grampians National Park
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Closest Town: Horsham
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Distance from CBD: 287km
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State: VIC
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Latitude: -37.0334522984
Longitude: 142.3407343048
Keep the Trail Access info current...
Camping Area
Drinking Water
Select items to indicate conditions for access to the trail.
2WD Access
4WD Access
Public Transport
Bitumen Road
Gravel Road
Steep Road
Winding Road
Speed Bumps
Vehicle Ford
Entry Fee
Large Car Park
Small Car Park
Accessible Parking
Accessible Toilet
Public Toilets
Drinking Water
Untreated Water
Picnic Shelter
Picnic Table
BBQ Facilities
Campfire Pit
Camping Area
Keep the Trail Features current...
Overnight Campsites
Steep Terrain
Bush Bashing
Select items to indicate features found along the trail.
Concrete Path
Timber Boardwalk
Gravel Path
Sandy Trail
Rough Trail
Undefined Trail
Prams & Strollers
Manual Wheelchair
Motorised Wheelchair
Bicycle Trail
Mountain Bike Trail
Historic Rail Trail
Dog Friendly
Urban Walk
Coast & Beach
Historic Lighthouse
Waterfalls & Lakes
Rainforest Walk
Goldfields & Mining
Heritage Walk
Aboriginal Art
Alpine Region
Alpine Huts
Exposed Ledges
Rock Scrambling
Steep Terrain
Bush Bashing
River Crossings
Scenic Viewpoints
Well Marked
Drinking Water
Untreated Water
Fishing Spots
Swimming Spots
Overnight Campsites
Trail Running
Horse Riding
The MacKenzie River / Bun-nah Trail is a 10.5km, grade 3 one way hike located in the Grampians National Park Victoria. The hike stretches between Wartook Valley and Zumsteins Picnic Area and should take approximately 3hrs to complete.
Summary
The Mackenzie River/Bun-nah Trail is a historic route that stretches for 10.5km between Wartook Valley and Zumsteins Picnic Area. You can walk in either direction but my recommendation is to start at Wartook Valley as from Zumsteins walkers can continue on the Mackenzie River Trail for another 3.7km to Mackenzie Falls.
Originally known as the ‘Back Track’, the trail closely follows the Mackenzie River, or Bun-nah as it is known to the Traditional Owners. Along the route there are interpretive signs that detail the area’s history and its significance to the Jadawadjali People. The trail is open to walkers and mountain bikers when conditions are dry. Download the brochure here.
Tips
At times the Mackenzie River floods and the trail is impassable; in this instance it is best to access the trail at Cooinda Burrong.
History
For 100 years, the ‘Back Track’ was the main road from Wartook Valley into the Central Grampians Ranges. The Back Track was traversed by walkers, horses, carriages and bullock wagon teams. The track was used to transport supplies, animals, timber from mills, tannin bark from wattle stripping and honey and beeswax collected by local beekeepers. Bun-nah (Mackenzie River) runs through Jadawadjali country, from the northern part of Gariwerd down through the plains to its confluence with Walla Walla (the Wimmera River) at Horsham. Both rivers form a key part of the Gariwerd Creation story. As you follow the track along Bun-nah, you are following the creation story of Tyingal (Tchingal) the emu and Waa the crow.
Getting there
Wartook Valley runs along the Grampians’ western foothills, giving a completely different perspective of the mountains. Heading to or from Horsham, this is the scenic alternative to the Western Hwy (A8). From Wartook, the sealed Roses Gap Rd and Mt Victoria Rd pass through the park, and there are lots of unsealed roads and tracks passing little creeks, waterfalls and idyllic picnic spots.
This trail reopened in 2018 so the GPX file may not be completely aligned with the newly aligned trail.
Max elevation: 289 m
Min elevation: 201 m
Total climbing: 150 m
Total descent: -115 m
7 thoughts on “MacKenzie River / Bun-nah Trail (10.5km)”
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Gary Singh next on the list?
yes let’s do it 💪🏼😁
Michael hiking week
Grampians week is on the radar for sure Wayne Douglass
I was only looking up that place I was telling you about on Friday
Looks awesome
Are their greyhounds
Courtenay Staynor 😀