Grampians

The Grampians lie west of Melbourne, 250km from the West-gate Bridge, and comprise an area of about 80km north to south and 50km east to west. Approaching from Stawell or Moyston, the cliffs of the Mt. William Range rise abruptly out of the plain. The range runs north-south and is pierced by Halls Gap where the small town of that name provides tourist accommodation. The National Park information centre is located in the town.

The Brambuk visitors centre has won awards for the way in which it grows out of the landscape - southern end of Halls Gap.

A lookout gives views of Halls Gap and Lake Bellfield.

A narrow valley runs south from the town between the Mt. William Range and the parallel Serra Range. The area close to Halls Gap, known as "Wonderland", contains many interesting walking tracks.

Above left: in the "Grand Canyon". Above: the Pinnacles Track. 4wd.sofcom.com/Places/Au/Au.html

A wide valley lies between the Serra Range and the Victoria Range, 15km to the west. There is good view (right) from the Balconies - once known as the Jaws of Death they seem to be a victim of p.c..

In the north, a natural basin below Mt. Difficult contains Lake Wartook which has been enlarged by a dam.

The main roads in the Grampians are bitumen and there are also many sand and gravel roads, most suitable for conventional cars. There are also some four wheel drive tracks but these are necessarily closely regulated, and may be closed in winter or after rain, because the area is under no small pressure due to the number of visitors.

If you are in the area, Seppelts winery at Great Western is nearbye, to the east of the Grampians. Left - the original storage for maturing "champagne" was in kilometres of tunnels, still in use.

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