National park · Australia
Grampians National ParkGariwerd
Enter free, drive in from Hall's Gap, and walk the Pinnacle (2–3 h return) before 9:00; add Mackenzie Falls and a rock-art shelter on a second day, and skip the park on total fire ban days.Enter free, drive in from Hall's Gap, and walk the Pinnacle (2–3 h return) before 9:00 AM; add Mackenzie Falls and a rock-art shelter on a second day, and skip the park on total fire ban days.
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
1,672 km²646 sq mi
approximate
Established
1984
Best months
Apr, Sep–Nov
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7
- Oceania ↗Oceania's island states guard their farms and reefs at the border: tick 'yes' on the arrival card for any food, plant, animal product, soil or used outdoor gear, and let the officer decide.
- Oceania ↗Across the tropical South Pacific, cyclones are possible from November to April: choose insurance that covers weather delays and keep one spare night before a long-haul departure.
- Australia and New Zealand ↗Both countries drive on the left, with long distances between fuel stops in the outback and on New Zealand's back roads; fatigue causes more visitor crashes than speed.
- Australia ↗Almost every visitor needs a visa or an electronic authorisation (ETA or eVisitor, depending on passport) before boarding: apply only through the official Department of Home Affairs site or the official AustralianETA app, and check the rules for your passport.
- Australia ↗Declare all food, plant material, seeds, wood and animal products on your arrival declaration; undeclared items can bring on-the-spot fines or visa cancellation. When unsure, declare it.
- Australia ↗Drive on the left. An overseas licence in English (or with an official translation or International Driving Permit) is accepted for visitors; check the state rules and your rental contract.
- Australia ↗Swim between the red and yellow flags on patrolled beaches; rip currents cause most beach drownings.
At a glance
- Country
- Australia
- Area
- 1,672 km²646 sq mi
- Roughly 1,670 km² across the whole range (check).
- Established
- 1984
- Best months
- Apr, Sep–Nov
- Permits
- For some areas
The Grampians (Gariwerd) are a tilted sandstone range rising straight out of flat farmland in western Victoria, about three hours from Melbourne. There is no entrance gate and no entry fee: you pay only for camping and for the few guided or ticketed extras. Hall's Gap is the town inside the park and the base for most walks; Dunkeld is the quieter southern gateway under Mount Sturgeon and Mount Abrupt. More than 70% of Victoria's recorded Aboriginal rock art is in this area, with several shelters open to the public.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- Special national siteListed on the Australian National Heritage List for its Aboriginal rock art and cultural landscape (check).
Size and age
1,672 km²646 sq mi · national park since 1984
Roughly 1,670 km² across the whole range (check).
Why go
- A free national park with 160 km of marked trails, from 30-minute strolls to overnight walks.A free national park with 99 mi of marked trails, from 30-minute strolls to overnight walks.
- The Pinnacle: a rock-and-canyon walk from Hall's Gap to a ledge over the whole valley.
- Open Aboriginal rock-art shelters at Gulgurn Manja (Flat Rock) and Ngamadjidj (Cave of Ghosts).
- Kangaroos, emus and koalas around Hall's Gap, often within walking distance of the shops.
- Spring wildflowers across the heath, with orchids and wattles from August.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebCaution
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayGo
- JunGo
- JulCaution
- AugGo
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecCaution
- JanHot; 35 °C+ days and total fire ban riskHot; 95 °F+ days and total fire ban risk
- FebHottest, driest; walk early only
- MarCooling; quiet midweek
- AprMild, clear; autumn colour
- MayCold nights; waterfalls running
- JunWet, green; few crowds
- JulColdest; ice on high rock
- AugWattle starts; waterfalls full
- SepWildflower season begins
- OctPeak wildflowers; busy weekends
- NovWarm, dry; long days
- DecHot spells; holiday crowds
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern grey kangaroos around Hall's GapAll year · Most active in the hour before dusk; often on the oval and roadsides. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Koalas in the Hall's Gap treesAll year · Look up; sightings are never guaranteed. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| EmusAll year · Most often in open ground near Hall's Gap. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Spring wildflowersAug–Nov · Heathland orchids and wattles; best on the northern and western slopes. | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no |
| SnakesOct–Mar · Warm-season risk on grassy trails; wear boots and watch your step. | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
How to get there
From Melbourne
Western Freeway to Stawell, then Grampians Road into Hall's Gap.
3 h
Open the page →
From Ballarat
Western Freeway to Stawell, then Grampians Road.
1.5 h
From Dunkeld (south)
Glenelg Highway, then the Grampians Tourist Road north through the range.
From By bus
Ballarat to Stawell, then a connecting service to Hall's Gap; services are limited, so check times.
3–4 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Halls Gap and the Wonderland Range | The town, the visitor centre, the Pinnacle and the Balconies. | Open; the busiest part of the park. |
| Northern Grampians | Mackenzie Falls, Zumsteins and the Mount Difficult plateau. | Open; the falls car park is paved. |
| Southern Grampians | Mount Sturgeon, Mount Abrupt and the Dunkeld gateway. | Open; longer, steeper climbs. |
| Rock-art shelters | Gulgurn Manja (Flat Rock) and Ngamadjidj (Cave of Ghosts), among others. | Open on marked paths; do not touch the art. |
Sketch map
- 1Halls Gap · Town≈-37.139, 142.519Map ↗
- 2Brambuk cultural centre · Headquarters≈-37.148, 142.524Approximate; check current opening after building works.Map ↗
- 3The Pinnacle · Viewpoint≈-37.152, 142.499Map ↗
- 4Mackenzie Falls · Viewpoint≈-37.110, 142.412Map ↗
- 5Gulgurn Manja (Flat Rock) · Cave≈-37.045, 142.431Approximate.Map ↗
- 6Ngamadjidj (Cave of Ghosts) · Cave≈-37.069, 142.472Approximate.Map ↗
- 7Dunkeld · Town≈-37.648, 142.345Map ↗
- 8Mount Abrupt · Summit≈-37.610, 142.380Approximate.Map ↗
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry | Free | person | No entry fee and no gate; Victorian national parks are free to enter. |
| Camping in a park campground | AUD 0–30 | night | 2026 estimate; some sites are free, others are paid by self-service permit at the campground (check). |
| Bush camping permit | AUD 0–15 | night | 2026 estimate; allowed in many but not all areas away from campgrounds (check). |
| Guided rock-art or cultural walk | AUD 20–60 | person | 2026 estimate; run by licensed operators, not by the park. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry no permit
Camping permit or guide
Bush camping permit or guide
Rock climbing no permit
Park rules
- Rock art
- Do not touch, chalk or wet the paintings; stay on the marked path and keep bags off the rock.
- Total fire ban
- On a total fire ban day some roads, lookouts and trails close; check the fire danger rating before you drive in.
- Camping
- Camp only in designated campgrounds or in bush-camping zones shown on the park map; no camping at lookouts or car parks.
- Fires
- Use a designated fireplace only, and only outside fire restrictions; bring your own wood.
- Dogs
- Not allowed in the park; leave them in Hall's Gap or at home.
- Drones
- Not allowed without a permit from Parks Victoria (check).check
Where to stay
In the park
Hall's Gap
The only town inside the park: motels, cabins, hostels and a supermarket.
In the park
Park campgrounds
About 13 sites with toilets and picnic tables; most have water, some are free.
Near the park
Dunkeld
Small southern gateway town with a hotel and a few places to stay.
Near the park
Stawell
Cheaper motels 30 min from Hall's Gap, on the Western Freeway.
Safety
Bushfire high
Heat on exposed rock medium
Slippery rock and cliff edges medium
Snakes low
Wildlife on the road medium
Accessibility
- The visitor centre, Boroka and Reeds lookouts and the Mackenzie Falls upper viewing area are reachable by car with short, firm paths.
- The Pinnacle, Mount Abrupt and most rock-art walks involve steps and uneven rock; not suitable for wheelchairs or limited mobility.
- Some campgrounds have accessible toilets; check the individual site listing before booking.
Visiting lightly
- Stay on marked trails; shortcutting causes erosion on the soft sandstone.
- Carry out all rubbish, including food scraps, and use the campground toilets.
- Book rock-art walks with operators that employ or work with Traditional Owners.
- Take only photos at the art shelters; do not touch or trace the figures.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Grampians National Park?
Nothing. There is no gate and no entry fee. You pay only for camping (some campgrounds are free, others charge a nightly fee by self-service permit) and for any guided walk you book.
What are the best hikes in Grampians National Park?
The Pinnacle from Hall's Gap (2–3 h return, moderate) is the classic. Mackenzie Falls is a short paved walk, Mount Abrupt near Dunkeld is the hardest half-day climb, and Chatauqua Peak is the quiet alternative to the Pinnacle.
When is the best time to visit Grampians National Park?
April to May and September to November: mild days, clear views and, in spring, wildflowers. December to March is hot with total fire ban days, and June to August is cold and wet but quiet.
Do I need a permit or a park pass?
No pass and no entry permit. You need a camping permit for paid campgrounds, and bush camping is allowed only in the zones shown on the park map.
Can I see the Aboriginal rock art?
Yes. Gulgurn Manja (Flat Rock) and Ngamadjidj (Cave of Ghosts) are open on marked paths. Do not touch the paintings, and stay behind any barriers.
How do I get to the Grampians without a car?
Bus from Ballarat to Stawell, then a connecting service to Hall's Gap; services are limited. Once there, most trailheads are walkable from the town, but Mackenzie Falls and Dunkeld need a car or a tour.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go