grampians traverse
hiking in auswalk's backyard!

INN-to-INN walking holiday Self guided & guided departures  5 day itinerary (includes 3 days of walking)

NOTE: As of August 2009, the Grampians Traverse trip is being replaced with a new longer trip called the Grampians Hike. The new trip includes an extra day's walking and we feel it is a better overall itinerary.

highlights

• Exciting rock formations - Venus Baths, Grand Canyon, Elephant's Hide, Echo Cave, Silent Street

• 360 degree views from lofty summits - Boronia & Chatauqua Peaks, The Pinnacle,

• Wildflowers, wildlife, wine and wild walking!

Auswalk's Grampians Traverse is an INN-to-INN accommodated walking holiday.  You walk through the Grampians National Park, staying at three different locations.  We move your luggage for you while you are out walking.  This holiday can be done Self-Guided or as a guided trip, any day of the year for a minimum of two people booking together.

Would you like to see a folio of photographs taken in the Grampians by Auswalk clients?

Views over rugged rocky ranges

At 167,000 hectares in area, the Grampians national park is large.  It is made entirely of sandstone (which was once seabed), which has eroded into several separate mountain ranges.  The Grampians are not high mountains, but they are very rugged.  This area was hugely valuable for the Aboriginal people who lived here for 20,000 years before western people arrived, but European settlers thought of the area as useless land that could never be farmed.  This is the main reason we are fortunate enough to have so much of the area preserved in a National Park today.

The Grampians is one of the best places in
Australia to see kangaroos in the wild

Everywhere you look in the Grampians you will see cliffs and forest.  The hundreds of cliffs and rough valleys provide refuge for many native animals, including birds, which are easily seen.  It is one of the best places to see Australian animals.  The sandy soil is ideal for native plants, making this national park famous for its spring wildflowers.  There are actually flowers all year except for autumn.  Even though the area receives a low rainfall of about 70cm per year, beautiful streambeds, waterfalls and caves have been carved into the ranges.

location
The Grampians is 3 hours by car or 5 hours by train/coach west of Melbourne. There is daily public transport available from Melbourne.

grading
50% easy, 35% moderate, 15% more strenuous.  14-22km (6-7 hours) walking each day.  The tracks are well formed and easy to follow.  However some of them have rough, uneven surfaces which require confidence and reasonable nimbleness.  There are also many steps along the way.  Your walking notes describe how to increase or decrease the amount of walking on most days.

The Grampians offers remote walking

accommodation
Typical accommodation includes B&Bs and a comfortable motel - private rooms with ensuite or private bathrooms.

regional wine & food
The region is noted for its burgeoning olive industry, fresh venison and the extensive Grampians and Great Western vineyards.

what's included
4 nights accommodation, 4 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 2 dinners, local wine with 2 dinners, luggage transfers, vehicle transfers as required for itinerary, information booklets, insulated lunch bag, map case, National Park fees, walking notes, maps.

not included
Alcohol, additional meals.

the best time to go 
This holiday can be done at any time of the year.  September to November is usually warm.  The summer months of December to March are likely to be warm, and sometimes quite hot.  During summer it is common to have daily temperatures in the 30’s, and the nights will also stay quite warm.  Nonetheless, plenty of people walk here in summer.  When temperatures are high, people walk slowly, start early when it’s cooler, wear a sunhat, and above all else, drink lots of water.  April and May are cooler and the winter months of June through August can vary from cool to mild temperatures with the occasional cold, wet spell. The wildflowers are usually at their best between July and November – although there are always some flowers around.

Delicate fringe lily

departure dates
Self-Guided INN-to-INN - start any day of the year except July, with a minimum of 2 people booking together.
Guided INN-to-INN - start any day of the year except July, with a minimum of 2 people booking together.

prices
Please see our Prices section of the website

Steps and ladders on the descent
 into the Grand Canyon

itinerary guide - 5 days
(includes 4 nights accommodation & 3 days walking)

Day 1: Starts at Lake Lonsdale any time after 2pm. Accommodation: Lake Lonsdale area.

Day 2: The walking begins in the flat country on your approach to the Grampians Ranges. Meander beside a pretty stream that flows through eucalypt forest – the bird life in the morning is prolific. Along the way you’re bound to see the first of many kangaroos and wallabies. Climb to the summit of Chautauqua Peak for a birds-eye view over the valley before descending to the tourist hub village of Halls Gap. Accommodation: Halls Gap

Picturesque Halls Gap Valley -
 your home for two nights

Day 3: Follow the fascinating Grand Canyon circuit through the Wonderland Range, passing many unusual rock formations including the Elephant’s Hide, Venus Baths, Guardian of the Canyon and Echo Cave. Today’s aim is the lofty heights of the Pinnacle Lookout. For those with energy to spare, there’s a optional circuit walk alongside Fyans Creek. Accommodation: Halls Gap

A walker descends through Silent Street
 in the atmospheric Grand Canyon 

Day 4: After a short and very scenic transfer, hike down through lush fern gullies to Silverband Falls. The route progresses to Lake Bellfield, the region’s water storage facility. See the historic water tunnel carved ¾ of a mile through the Mount William Range – quite impressive for 1881 and it’s still used today! Then it’s one final climb and a final view over the magnificent Serra Range before descending into the picturesque village of Pomonal. Accommodation: Pomonal

The walking route skirts around Lake Bellfield 

Day 5: After breakfast you’ll be transported back to your car or to your public transport connection.

fact sheets
Would you like more detailed information about this trip?

Download our Grampians Traverse self guided INN-to-INN Fact Sheet.

Download our Grampians Traverse guided INN-to-INN Fact Sheet.

Note: If you are having trouble opening this Fact Sheet, please click on the link to download the latest version of Adobe Reader. http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html?promoid=BUIGO

prices
See the prices section

how to book
See the booking section

View a sample page of Self-Guided walking notes

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Auswalk Pty Ltd | 4 Red Gum Lease Track | Halls Gap Victoria 3381 | Australia
Phone +61 (0)3 5356 4971 | Fax +61 (0)3 5356 4970 | Email info@auswalk.com.au