Grampians Peaks Trail Huts

After pickup at the Arts centre in Melbourne we drive approx. 3 hours to reach Halls Gap in the Grampians. We’ll enjoy a good lunch at a local cafe and then continue into the Wartook valley and the flanks of Mount Gar, where we will begin walking up a moderate inclining path following Dead Bullock creek that will take us past a series of 3 waterfalls and beautiful valleys back over the Wartook Valley and the Northern Grampians. You’ll pass wide sandstone ledges stained with colour which form the waterfall drops when the creek is running in the wettest times of year (winter, spring and after heavy rains). As we ascend there are a few short steep pitches which then lead to flat areas of heathland. We then start climbing up an area of open rock slab and steep gully towards Briggs Bluff and pass a small mountain lake.

We then traverse for a couple of km across the flanks of Gar, taking in the fantastic views of the surrounding mountain ranges across the Wartook valley and behind us towards Mount Stapylton. We arrive at the Gar campsite, perched on the edge of a ridge with expansive views to the valley below us. If we are lucky we will enjoy an amazing sunset as we sit and have dinner in the communal dining room that has been built here for hikers. The campsite has drop toilets, water tanks and we have exclusive use of the huts for sleeping. Your guide will prepare a wonderful, hearty dinner for you and make sure you are well fed after your exercise.

If the weather and time permits we may have a walk up nearby Mt Gar (Mount Difficult) to see the sunset or alternatively your guide may propose a walk the following morning. Meaning ‘Big Mountain’, Gar is the highest peak on the western side of the Grampians range and has extensive views from its summit (806m).

Overnight: Gar Huts

Meals: L, D

After enjoying breakfast at Gar we begin what will be an excellent day of ridge walking along a horseshoe shaped ring of mountains to reach our next campsite at Werdug. We’ll have excellent views of the Lake Wartook valley on one side and the agricultural Plains on the other, with today’s high point being at 720m.

As we proceed along the ridgeline, we have some steep and downs over various saddles and a section where we walk on sloping rock slabs. We finish the day with a big ascent that will bring us up to the Mount Difficult road, from where it’s a short walk to finish at the beautiful Werdug camp. Werdug looks out over Lake Wartook below and is more sheltered than Gar. The layout of the camp includes some great sitting-out areas and a communal shelter tucked away from the elements. Your guides will prepare you a wonderful dinner while you relax and take in the views from the camp and your huts.

Overnight: Werdug Huts

Meals: B, L, D

After enjoying breakfast at the camp we head off onto today’s walk which will eventually descend us down to Hall’s Gap. First though we start with a climb to Lake Wartook Lookout at 829m, one of the highest points in the Mount Difficult range which offers incredible views with Mount William and the Black ranges in the distance and the evocatively named Asses Ears Mountains and Wartook Basin below you.

After descending back to Mt. Difficult road we cross over onto the Eastern side of the range again, skirting cliffs with views out onto the plains below. Then we begin a steep descent on a stone staircase through a pass in the cliffs and walk through a forest of messmate and stringybark which after several km brings us to Chatauqau peak and Clematis falls; both short side trips where we can take our lunch. The last section descends us down into Halls Gap and our centrally located accommodation in the town.

The rest of the afternoon is yours to relax in town or we can explore one of the nearby wineries, the located just outside Halls Gap where you’ll be able to enjoy a glass of wine overlooking the vineyards and mountains. That evening we dine in one of Hall’s Gaps restaurants, a favourite of the locals.

Overnight: Halls Gap

Meals: B, L, D

This morning we transfer to the topmost northern part of the Grampians Peaks Trail for our last walk. From the Mount Zero carpark we start ascending the Grampians peak trail to the top of Mount Stapylton, passing some incredibly eroded rock formations and views back over the plains. We’ll continue along the escarpment with sweeping dramatic views of the Grampians range before us until we descend through a gorge and we finish at the Stapylton campground trailhead. We will visit the nearby Ngamadidj shelter to see Aboriginal rock paintings dating back thousands of years.

We then transfer to a nearby olive farm, for a light lunch and tastings while we sit and enjoy the sublime surroundings as a fitting conclusion to our trip. We then drive back to Melbourne, arriving late afternoon back at the NGV drop-off point.

Meals: B, L

• Guided hiking supported by two experienced RAW leaders
• Return transfers from central Melbourne to the Grampians
• 2 nights in the Gar and Werdug hikers’ huts (multi share)*
• 1 night twin-share accommodation in Halls Gap
• 2 trail breakfasts, 2 trail lunches, 2 trail dinners and snacks /drinks
• 1 cafe breakfast, 2 cafe lunches and 1 restaurant dinner
• Daily trailhead transfers and local support driver
• National park fees
• RAW Travel carbon offset for your trip and an Australian tree planted on your behalf
• 10% GST included

* Huts are 4 beds to each hut. If you’d prefer to have a hut on a twin share basis as a couple, this may be possible by paying a supplement providing there is availability.

• Breakfast on day 1
• Travel insurance
• Transport to / from our Melbourne pick-up point
• Drinks with restaurant meals

This walk is a challenging one best suited to hikers of good fitness and confidence walking on an exposed trail. You’ll need to carry a pack with your sleeping bag, toiletries and change of clothes for two nights. The terrain of the GPT is also demanding; there are ascents and descents involved, plus navigating your way over a rock plateau and narrow rock defiles in some places. The walks are mostly listed as Grade 4 by Parks Victoria. It is a very enjoyable challenge for those who are suitably prepared and experienced with walking in mountains.

Grade 4 hike definition: ‘Recommended for experienced hikers and a reasonable level of fitness. A grade 4 hike includes rough ground and very steep sections. These trails are suggested for people with experience hiking. They may be any length, but physically more demanding’.

Hiking gear

• Hiking pack – 40-60L size is ideal but go with what works
• Sleeping bag – rated 3 or 4 season depending on colder / warmer months
• Inflatable pillow or pillow case (put clothes inside)
• Hiking poles (recommended with rubber stoppers on the ends for grip on rock surfaces)
• Ability to carry minimum of 2 litres per day of water (Bladder or bottles)
• Head torch with spare batteries or USB rechargeable (huts have USB points)
• Waterproof bag for your backpack – your sleeping bag and warm clothing must be waterproof; use dry compression bags or just a heavy-duty garbage bag
• Camera /phone (optional)
• Water filter (optional) – there is tank water available at the campsites and your guide will carry a filter unit for use

Footwear and clothing

• Hiking boots/shoes with ankle support recommended
• 3-4 pairs of good hiking socks
• Comfortable footwear for the evening (optional)
• 1 or 2 hiking shirts
• 1 pair of hiking shorts
• 1 pair of hiking pants
• Light warm layer for daytime
• Heavy warm layer for nighttime
• Waterproof rain jacket
• Waterproof pants (optional but recommended)
• 1 x set of thermal base layers for evenings
• Sun hat for walking
• Beanie for evenings
• Sunglasses
• Warm gloves (in colder months)

Medical / toiletries

• Toothbrush/paste
• Mini sunscreen (SPF 30+)
• Small face cloth for freshening up
• Lip balm
• Headache tablets
• Anti-inflammatories tablets or gel

Your guides will be carrying a well-stocked first aid kit, but we suggest you bring basic personal first aid supplies, including blister dressings, band aids, pawpaw cream, and any usual medications. They should all fit into a sandwich size zip lock bag. Also pack a small waterless hand sanitiser and a stash of emergency toilet paper.