The Grampians National Park is located roughly 3 hours northwest of Melbourne. It has been on my list since we arrived in Australia and last weekend it was finally time to hike in the beautiful area. The official Grampians Peaks Trail is ~160km and will take you 13 days across the entire length of the National Park. We decided to walk this trail partly and do a 3-day loop which was very convenient because you can leave your car behind and don’t worry about it! I hope you will enjoy this 3-day hiking adventure in the Grampians just as must as I did.
Summary:
- Total Hiking time: 3 days (~4 hours a day)
- Distance: 37km loop
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Costs: $65.5 AUD for 2 people (2 nights)
This article contains everything that you need to know about hiking the Grampians for 3-days, including where to camp, what to expect on the trail and how to get there.
How to get to the trail?
Like many trails in the Grampians, this hike starts in Halls Gap. You can park your car for free across the road from the General Store. When you enter Halls Gap you will see the parking lot and it is very hard to miss. Below you can find the route we hiked and the campsites we stayed at along the way.
3-day Itinerary loop from Halls Gap
The hike starts in Halls Gap and for the first 2 days, you will be following the start of the Grampians Peaks Trail. This 3-day loop will take you to the spectacular Pinnacle Lookout and Mt Rosea. Along the trail, there is most definitely some elevation but if you have a basic fitness level it is 100% doable.
Day 1: Halls Gap to Bugiga Hiker Camp
- Walking time: 4 hours
- Distance: ~9km
- Elevation change: ~850m
- Costs Campsite: 15$ – Bugiga Hiker Camp
The hike starts easy and flat and will take you to Venus Baths. If you have enough time, you could stop here for a swim and relax on the rocks. We decided to move forwards and hike to the Pinnacle lookout. Here you will be treated to a spectacular view of Lake Bellfield, making you feel like you are on top of the world.
After you have enjoyed the view you can start making your way down towards Bugiga Hiker Camp. This campsite is one of the coolest places where I have pinched my tent so far. Book this campsite in time because there are only 12 spots available. The campsite is very basic but the view is well worth it.
Campgrounds can easily be booked through the parks Victoria website: bookings.parks.vic.gov
Day 2: Bugiga Hiker Camp to Borough Huts Campground
- Walking time: 4.5 hours
- Distance: ~14km
- Elevation change: ~1040m
- Costs Campsite: 48.80$ – Borough Huts Camp
Day 2 is the longest of the 3-day loop. After a little sleep-in, we started our hike and were greeted by a wallaby on the track. To reach the summit of Mt Rosea you will be hiking through rock tunnels and caves. This was truly a unique experience and I was glad it was not too busy as the paths could become pretty narrow.
Day 3: Borough Huts Camp to Halls Gap
- Walking time: 3.5 hours
- Distance: ~13km
- Elevation change: ~600m
Be prepared for the least exciting day of the hike… Although it is still a pleasant walk, the path is relatively boring compared to days 1 and 2. To be honest, the last day felt like we were just walking back to the car. But the weather was good, we had 2 amazing days so it was all worth it.
What is the Grampians’ track like?
- Navigation: Thanks to Victoria Parks you do not have to worry about navigation. The trail is well-marked with yellow markers along the track.
- Terrain: the paths of this 3-day loop are well maintained and no serious climbing is involved. However, be aware that most of the time you will be walking on rocks so decent hiking boots are highly recommended.
- Water: There is running water on both campsites, but as it is untreated you should boil it for 5 minutes before drinking it
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