Wonderland Loop Hike (25km)

The Wonderland Loop is a hike I pieced together many years ago from a series of existing Grampians trails. After exploring most of the Grampians, I thought it would be great to have a longer day or overnight option. This was before the Grampians Peaks Trail was developed. My original plan was to do this as an overnight hike but I ended up completing it in a long and tiring day. You could do either but would need to research appropriate campsites.

Commencing in Halls Hap, along School Road, this loop first allows you to summit Chatauqua Peak north west of Halls Gap before making your way along the creek via Venus Baths, Splitter and Stoney Falls before arriving at the Wonderland Carpark.

After traversing the Wonderland Forest, you will then commence a steady climb via Cool Chamber to the famed Pinnacle Lookout where you will be rewarded with stunning views over Halls Gap and the valley below. From the Pinnacle, continue to make your way south via Bellfield Park and Devils Gap to the Sundial Turntable carpark.

It covers most of the Wonderland Loop including the Pinnacle and Sundial Peak before crossing the valley to the opposite ridge. Following a short side trip to Lakeview Lookout, continue to follow the trail south east towards Eagan Point and the breathtaking Sundial Peak where you can gain access to a number of view points.

After leaving Sundial, continue south east along the trail as it slowly descends to the valley below. You will reach the valley at Bellfield Settlement where you can spend some time exploring the dam wall of Lake Bellfield. From this point, you simply follow the walking track that runs parallel to the Grampians Pipeline and main road into Halls Gap and the end of the trail.

Variation to extend the hike

If you wanted to extend the hike (by approximately 5km), you can cross the dam wall at Lake Bellfield to pick up the Baronia trail on the eastern side of Fyanns Creek. When I did this hike, the section from Lake Bellfield to Boronia Peak was extensively overgrown and took a long time and a lot of effort to navigate. Just before reaching Mount Ida, you can take a quick side trip to the summit of Baronia Peak for great views of the range you traversed earlier. Complete the circuit hike by continuing north along Fyanns Creek to Grampians Road. Cross the bridge over the creek and make your way back into Halls Gap and the end of the trail.

You will find the GPX file for this variation below.