Top Things to do in Grampians
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What to do and see in Grampians, Victoria: The Best Mountains
Discover the best top things to do in Grampians, Australia including Mount Abrupt, Mt Stapylton, Mt Thackeray, Mount Arapiles, Mount William (Mount Duwil), Mt William, Mt Sturgeon, The Picaninny (Bainggug), Hollow Mountain, Mount Arapiles Summit.
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1. Mount Abrupt
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 29 reviews
Reviewed By PhilMalone - Footscray, Australia
This is a challenging walk of around 6.5 kms return. Most of the walk to the summit is up steep sections and several steps (we counted 950 stairs in all). We completed the walk up in 1 hour and it was quite cold up the top (even though it was only early March). Once at the top you can take in unparalled views around the countryside of all the surrounding mountains and plains. Piccaninny pails into insignificance from the top of Mount Abrupt. This is well worth the effort and (having done all the Grampians walks) I would rate this one as one of the best. Do it!
2. Mt Stapylton
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 8 reviews
Reviewed By Haggis_Supper - Melbourne, Australia
As relative newcomers to hiking, this one appealed to us. We’re 50, pretty fit and love a good walk, though we mostly find ourselves on 8-15kms walks with only a few genuine hikes. There’s no messing around with this one, pretty much straight from the car park, over the wall and right onto the rock and up the mountain you go. There are plenty of yellow markers to guide you though you do have to keep your eyes peeled near the start as you veer left and then right again. On the sections where there are paths, these are well maintained - and appreciated! After the initial rocky section the trail wanders down into the bush, through the trees and along the cliff face - with some incredible rock formations and boulders. Emerging from the bush, you begin a very steep climb on the rock face with stunning views all around. Towards the top the rock climbing gives way to another path that meanders up and down to the final section - and this is where the challenge really begins...a very steep and reasonably narrow section of rock that requires rock scrambling past a large cave that is home to many swallows who appeared frequently (and without warning !) like darts fired from a gun. As there’s a sheer drop off this created some anxiety in my partner. No longer a physically demanding climb, this became a mental challenge and one that was too much for her. Going up this section wasn’t the issue but how to get down - the wind and the proximity of the birds flying so close to us just created that little bit of fear. We’d only scrambled up about 10 metres of this section but decided that was enough. We had to slowly ease ourselves down on our bottoms. Our fear of heights sadly dictated our actions so we didn’t make the top. The walk down was a little quieter for us - tired and a little disappointed in ourselves - but the views and serenity offered some compensation. Nonetheless, we loved this hike. Absolutely stunning views, incredible rock faces and formations. Rugged and peaceful. Contrasting sections and a final challenge. We passed two young ladies who made the top, two rock climbers and a lovely young family heading off for some rock climbing - so it was wonderfully quiet. From Mt Zero car park it’s a 4.6km round trip. Physically challenging and just that one tough section at the end. Highly recommended and a couple of ancient indigenous artwork shelters not far away that are worth stopping at.
3. Mt Thackeray
4. Mount Arapiles
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 40 reviews
Reviewed By CheltenhamVIC - Melbourne, Australia
Near Natimuk, Mount Arapiles is a great place to stop when passing through Western Victoria. It is on the road from Horsham to Edenhope then Naracoorte (South Australia). A short drive takes you to the summit car park, where a short steep walk up a rocky "staircase" leads you to the summit and the lookout. People visiting the summit need to be agile - the walk is part man-made and part natural rock (ie not for the grandparents with their walking frames). There isn't a view from the car park itself. If you have time take the separate road the camp ground at the base and look out for the rock climbers up on the cliffs.
5. Mount William (Mount Duwil)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 28 reviews
Reviewed By PoppyTawny - Geelong, Australia
The drive to the car park was lovely, the roadside in places adorned with an array of wildflowers (it is Spring). Unfortunately the day we chose to go on this very steep walk, there was a lot of low cloud and drizzly rain so the only scenery on the way up was the roadside flora, which were enjoyed on our many stops to catch our breath. On reaching the summit there was no view at all (as we had expected) due to the low cloud. We did not stay long before beginning our decent. We had not gone very far before the cloud began to lift with magical swirling cloud formations, giving us a peak at the landscape beyond. We decided to go back up to the summit and were rewarded with the most amazing 360 degree views of Grampians and the area surrounding it as the cloud totally lifted (we were very lucky). On the decent we were able to enjoy the surrounding landscape that we missed on the way up. So we had two very different experiences, both amazingly beautiful. Would definitely recommend but be prepared for a heart racing ascent. The road is sealed so you do not have to negotiate an uneven track, but it is very steep.
6. Mt William
7. Mt Sturgeon
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 53 reviews
Reviewed By PhilMalone - Footscray, Australia
We climbed as a couple in February. It was freezing - needed a few layers on to start but gradually shedded them as we walked. It offers majestic views of the surrounding ranges and plains. The official guide books say 7kms return. But it is actually 5kms return IF you park at the 2nd carpark (i.e. the carpark for Piccaninny 900 metres past the official Mt Sturgeon carpark). Once at the Piccaninny Carpark on Rte C217 you will see a sign to Mt Sturgeon walk. We did the walk up Sturgeon in 45 minutes. The track is often slippery - I used hiking sticks which saved me from a few potential falls. We didn't consider it to have rock hopping, although the guide pamphlets had described it as a rock hopping walk. This is well worth the effort and if you are fit you won't have any trouble at all doing it in under an hour. Loved relaxing at the top (despite the very cold winds) and taking in the view.
8. The Picaninny (Bainggug)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 45 reviews
Reviewed By Swinksy - Melbourne, Australia
This easy walk is a short distance from Dunkeld. You can park at the Picaninny car park on the Halls Gap road or in the car park past the Mt Sturgeon carpark. It’s around 2km walk from either carpark. The track is easy to follow and well signposted, and will take 30-45 mins to get to the top. The walk up is a steady incline, with some steps along the way. Good footwear is recommended(runners and hiking shoes), not flip flops, or sandals. A water bottle is a good idea in the warm weather. Allow 1-1 1/2 hours both ways. The view from the top is very nice, with vistas towards Mt Abrupt and Dunkeld, and towards the south.
9. Hollow Mountain
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 13 reviews
Reviewed By HallsGapApartments - Horsham, Australia
Just 20 minutes drive from Horsham this walk has it all, rock scrambling well marked track and views all the way to the top. We arrived just in time to experience sunset...
