Around And About Grampians & Halls Gap

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A long small-group day from Melbourne into the Grampians, with lookouts over the ranges and Halls Gap, the Balconies, lunch in Halls Gap village and an afternoon at the Aboriginal culture centre. You are back in the city by about 7pm.

Days

About 12 hours

Age

All ages

Group size

Small group, max 11

Start / finish

Melbourne / Grampians and Halls Gap / Melbourne
Melbourne city centre, about 7pm

Return

Melbourne city centre, about 7pm

Transport

12-seat minibus with city hotel pick-up

Meals

No meals are listed as included

Route

Map of Around And About Grampians & Halls Gap

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Included experiences

Boroka Lookout — views down over Halls Gap village
Reed Lookout and the Balconies — stops on the drive up the mountain
Halls Gap — lunch, shops and wildlife spotting in the village
Aboriginal culture centre — the history of the region

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

EARLY MORNING: MELBOURNE TO THE GRAMPIANS

This is an early start, with the minibus leaving the city at 6:30am and heading west. After about three hours on the road the Grampians rise out of the flat wheat country. Their Aboriginal name is Gariwerd, and the ranges are tilted slabs of sandstone that were laid down as sea-floor sediment around 400 million years ago, then pushed up and worn into sharp ridges. The national park holds about 80 percent of the Aboriginal rock art sites in Victoria, and over a third of the state's native plants grow here.

MORNING: THE LOOKOUTS

The morning is spent on the drive up the mountain. Boroka Lookout stands on the edge of the Mount William Range, looking straight down over Halls Gap village and Lake Bellfield to the ridges beyond. At Reed Lookout a short walk leads out to The Balconies, two sandstone ledges that jut over the valley like an open mouth, which is why they were once known as the Jaws of Death.

MIDDAY: LUNCH IN HALLS GAP

Back down in Halls Gap you have lunch at your own cost and time to browse the shops, with ice cream and local fudge on offer. The village sits in a valley between two ranges and is one of the best places in Victoria to see eastern grey kangaroos up close, often grazing on the ovals and lawns. Watch the trees for sulphur-crested cockatoos and the long grass for wallabies.

AFTERNOON: ABORIGINAL CULTURE AND THE DRIVE HOME

In the afternoon you visit the Aboriginal culture centre in Halls Gap to learn about the history of the region and the Djab Wurrung and Jardwadjali people, whose country these ranges are. Then the minibus heads straight back east to Melbourne, arriving in the city at about 7pm.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Pick-up from most Melbourne city hotels and hostels and a few places in St Kilda, for example Flinders Street Station (Elizabeth Street) at 6:05am. If your hotel is not on the list you are given the nearest pick-up point.
Departure time: Pick-ups from about 5:25am to 6:20am depending on where you stay; the tour leaves the city at 6:30am. Be outside five minutes early.
Finishes: Melbourne city centre at about 7pm. There are no drop-offs in St Kilda, Southbank or the suburbs.
Fitness: Bring comfortable walking shoes. The walk to the base of Mackenzie Falls is steep, with 400 steps down and back up.
Suits: All ages. Every passenger, children included, needs their own seat; baby seats are available on request.
Please note: Parks Victoria has closed the Mackenzie Falls car park and tracks for upgrade works, expected to finish by the end of 2026, so the falls stop only goes ahead once the precinct reopens.

What to bring

Comfortable walking shoes
Hat, sunglasses and sunscreen
A rain jacket and warm layers
Your own water bottle
Camera with a spare battery and memory card
Phone charger and cable

What is included

Pick-up from most Melbourne city hotels and hostels
Small-group travel in a 12-seat minibus
Park entry
Chilled water on board (bring your own bottle)

Not included

Lunch in Halls Gap
Snacks and shopping

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

Do I need travel insurance?

Insurance is important in protecting visitors from loss or damange of goods, medical problems, cancelation by passengers or other casualties. Its highly recommended. Some tours on this website require you to have travel insurance. If you are Australian then it is not necessary.

Where can I get more information about this trip?

If you find that this tour page doesn't answer all your questions, then please get in contact with us! Our passionate team are always available to answer any queries you may have.

What immunisations do I need?

For the latest information on immunisations, we strongly recommend you or contact the Travellers Medical and Vaccination Centre (www.traveldoctor.com.au) to discuss health requirements for your trip. They will advise you about appropriate inoculations.

Do I need to take any medical supplies?

It is not necessary to bring any medical supplies other than any personal items you may require. Each tour carries a first aid box, and the tour guides are all certified in First Aid.

Will I be able to use my mobile whilst on tour?

You can use your mobile while touring in Australia or New Zealand, but coverage may be limited in remote areas. For best connectivity, consider purchasing a local SIM card or an international roaming plan.

How fit do I need to be?

These tours are designed to be fun, informative and active, and can be enjoyed by anyone with a moderate degree of fitness and agility. Travellers should be comfortable with hiking or walking up to 5km each day.

What should I pack?

Depending on where in Australia or New Zealand you decide to visit, your luggage will vary. For exact information please visit the "What to bring" section of each tour page.

Private tours and families

Is it possible to travel in a private group?

If you are looking for a private tour based on one of these trips, please contact us directly and we may be able to help. Over the years we have worked with families, groups of friends, schools, clubs and charities to put together the perfect trip.

Booking the trip

Do I have to book this tour online?

Definitely not. Our website is designed to make is easy and convenient for you to schedule your tour. However we understand sometimes its nice to talk to someone directly. So by all means give us a call and we can organise your trip over the phone.

If I book more than one tour can I get a discount?

Absolutely! If you are booking multiple tours then we may be able to offer you a discount. Send us an email at info@lostinaustralia.org and let us know what you thinking of doing and we can put together a price for you.Also, be sure to look out for monthly specials on tours. We often have some great bargains.

Does the tour price include flights?

No. Tour prices do not include any travel arrangements other than for the duration of the tour itself. If you need assistance with booking flights or buses our travel team and certainly help - Just ask!

How far in advance do I need to book my tour?

As a rule of thumb, try to book at least 2 weeks prior to departure, this will usually get you a seat on the date you want. That being said, we cannot guarantee that spaces will be available at the time of your booking so, if you can, book as soon as possible. Bookings can still be made right up until the departure date of the tour if seats are available. If you know when you'd like to travel, please contact us and we will let you know if you need to book soon or if you have time.

How do I know when a tour is available?

You can check the departure dates of tours by using our calendar on the top right hand corner of the tour page. This will tell you what days the tour departs. For availability of seats please contact us directly at info@lostinaustralia.org or call us.

If I make a deposit only, when will I need to pay the balance?

Balance on tours need to be paid at least 30 days prior to departure. Failure to do so could result is the cancellation of your seat with a fee charged. If you need more time to clear your balance then let us know ASAP and arrangements can be made.

Who travels with us

Is it ok to travel alone on one of these tours?

Plenty of travellers book these tours on their own. Solo travellers are very much welcomed and encouraged. During your outback adventure you'll meet new and interesting people and forge relationships that last a lifetime.Solo travellers will usually share a room with a travelling companion of the same sex, but even if you do get your own room you won't be charged extra. On camping tours there are generally enough tents available that you can have your own if you choose to.For more information please contact us directly.

Cost and Fees

Do I need to tip the guide?

If you had an amazing time on tour and wish to tip your guide, that is completely up to you. Tipping is not customary in Australia and is not at all expected.

Will I need additional money?

Travellers are advised to bring some cash, as ATMs and banks can be few and far between in the remote parts of the trip. It is handy to have some extra cash, as the tour does stop by local shops and cafes.

Are there any hidden fees I need to know about?

Our tour prices are completely transparent. There are no additional fees involved that are not included in the overall tour price shown. If you wish to do optional activities such as helicopter rides or wildlife safaris, then an extra cost may be needed. However, this will always be made clear at the time of your booking.

What does Paid Locally mean?

Some tours require you to pay national park fees directly, in cash, to the tour guide on the morning of departure. Rest assured this will be subtracted from the tour price when reserving your tour.

Whilst on tour

Can I book extra accommodation for the start and end of the tour?

We know our country inside and out and would be happy to give you good recommodations. Please contact us for recommendations.

Where do I meet the tour?

For pick-up times and locations, please check the "Start/Finish" section directly under the itinerary, which lists every pick-up point and its time.There is a lot of information there to help you plan your flights and arrival.Please review it carefully, as pick-ups can vary from tour to tour.

Reviews

5.0

Based on 2 reviews

Verified from

Real reviews from travellers who've done this tour, gathered from around the web and paraphrased.

How we collect and publish reviews

Where they come from. Our reviews are gathered from independent review sites and from guests who share feedback with us directly after their trip. They come from people who have actually travelled on the tour. Some longer trips are made up of shorter tours we also sell, run back to back — where a review was written about one of those legs, the review says so.

Why some are edited. Many of our guests travel in their second or third language. Where a review is hard to read, we lightly edit spelling, grammar and punctuation, or paraphrase a sentence for clarity. We never change the rating, the meaning or the sentiment, and we never write a review on a guest's behalf.

Reading the originals. Reviews sourced from public review sites appear there in their original form, and can be read in full at their original source at any time.

(5/5)

“Go Walter”

Walter was a fantastic, welcoming driver, and worked hard to make our last minute change of plans happen.

Blake D Verified· Travelled 1st March 2024

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(5/5)

“Grampians”

One of our best guides, Walter pointed out lots along the way and was friendly and easygoing.

Ella Verified· Travelled 1st December 2020

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