Travelling in Australia and want to know the best things to see & do in The Grampians? Well, you’ve landed in the right place.
If you love a road trip like the Melbourne Girl team, you’re going to love my latest adventure to The Grampians, in Victoria’s stunning Western district. Known for its scenic mountain outlooks, beautiful flora and wildlife, there are so many things to see and experience in the region, so I’ve rounded up 8 of my favourite reasons below…
Things to see, do and experience in The Grampians
The Wine
The Grampians region produces some of the finest wine in Victoria. We were lucky enough to visit Grampians Estate and Best’s Wines, however there’s a multitude of wineries and cellar doors to visit in the region.
The region is known for incredible Shiraz, however white wine lovers aren’t left out – some of the best Riesling I’ve had the opportunity to enjoy comes from the area!
The Food
Love food? Then you’ll love The Grampians! All of the eateries in The Grampians love celebrating the region’s incredible local produce.
Our top picks? The Tasting Room at Steel Cutter’s Cottage in Great Western is perfect for the discerning foodie, with their incredible range of tasting plates and gourmet fare. Open Thursday to Sunday, we highly recommended indulging in a long-lunch and experiencing the hospitality of owners and chefs, Rohan and Marlene.
And you can’t miss Harvest Cafe in Halls Gap, which is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner (dinner on Friday and Saturday nights). Serving up delicious food and amazing coffee, the meals are complemented by a range of delish local provisions and wine.
The Views Restaurant at the Grampians Motel with its resident kangaroo, Lemon Tree, was a real treat too – think classic favourites served up with one of the most incredible views you could find.
The Lookouts
The Grampians is famous for its lookouts, and some are even easily accessible by car – so you don’t need to be a champion hiker to experience spectacular views!
We highly recommended visiting Boroka Lookout. It’s just a short drive from Halls Gap and is extremely accessible with a paved walkway.
And PS.. don’t forget to visit Brambuk – the National Park and Cultural Centre located in Halls Gap. It’s the perfect way to start your visit to The Grampians National Park, where you can discover more about the Park and its Aboriginal culture.
The Waterfalls
Mackenzie Falls flows all year round, and is a fantastic way to spend a sunny day in the region. An easy drive from Halls Gap, there’s two options to experience the falls – an easy walk to a lookout, or a slightly more challenging walk down to the Falls. We packed a picnic (created and curated by the team at Harvest Cafe!), and enjoyed our lunch in the sun at the base of the waterfall.
Our top tips for your visit to Mackenzie Falls? Wear comfortable clothes and shoes, and be prepared to work off your lunch as you walk back up the stairs! It’s totally worth the walk to experience one of Victoria’s most incredible waterfalls.
The Wildlife
A visit to The Grampians is complete with abundant opportunities to see Australian wildlife in their natural habitat. From hordes of cheeky Cockatoos screeching overhead (and trying to woo you into sharing your lunch!), to mobs of Kangaroos grazing around town and elegant Emus, it’s an experience sure to delight every visitor.
The Zoo
Halls Gap Zoo is a must-visit when you’re in the region. It’s the perfect day out for the whole family, with over a 160 species of native & exotic mammals (including cheetahs!), reptiles and birds.
Bring a picnic and spend the day wandering around the Zoo, or treat yourself to one of their ‘Animal Encounters’, such as feeding the Meerkats or a Reptile or Dingo encounter!
The Accommodation
There’s accommodation styles to suit every taste and budget in The Grampians. From family friendly cabins, to luxe retreats and camping grounds, you truly are spoiled for choice.
We stayed at The Vines in Halls Gap, a 3 bedroom eco-cabin that’s part of The Harvest cafe. It’s fully self-contained, so perfect for those who want to self-cater too!
The People
The hospitality and friendliness of the locals in The Grampians region is legendary – everywhere we visited, we could have stayed for hours chatting! The knowledge and passion of the locals for their region is incredible, along with their innate friendliness.
I think the attitude of the people of the region can be summed up perfectly by the sign posted at The Views restaurant, ‘Enter as Strangers, Leave as Friends‘.
ALSO CHECK OUT >
Shiera Othman
Hi Prue,
I am looking forward to visit Grampians April next year. Me and my friends are doing a road trip from Melbourne to Grampians. Is there any interesting places that we should/need to stop along the way from Melbourne to Grampians if you care to share 🙂 Thanks!
Prue Chilcott
Hi Shiera,
How exciting! You will love the Grampians 🙂
I would recommend stopping in either Ballarat or Ararat on your roadtrip (or both if you have time!)
We’ve listed a few of our favourite spots in Ballarat here
And the Gum San Chinese Heritage Centre in Ararat is a hidden gem – highly recommend spending a couple of hours here too.
Have fun!
x
Emily Collie
Makes me want to go on a road trip right now! Enjoy Shiera x
Paav
Hi, do you know if the end of May a good time to do a road trip to the Grampians from Melbourne?
Emily Collie
Hi Paav,
Anytime of the year is a great time to visit the Grampians. It cools down a little in May (as it’s Autumn) so it’s perfect for long hikes.
Have a great time.