Wildlife Tours Australia Grampians National Park Wildlife & Waterfall Tour

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A one-day tour from Melbourne deep into Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park, a landscape of ancient sandstone mountains, roaring waterfalls and wide-open views, shaped over millions of years and deeply connected to Aboriginal culture.

Days

12.5 hours, full day

Age

6+; under 18s with a parent or guardian

Group size

Small group, max 23

Start / finish

Melbourne / Melbourne

Return

See itinerary for details

Transport

Air-conditioned mini-coach from inner-city Melbourne pick-up points

Meals

Morning tea and snacks

Route

Map of Wildlife Tours Australia Grampians National Park Wildlife & Waterfall Tour

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Included experiences

Halls Gap Visitor Information Centre — Aboriginal heritage
Boroka and Reeds lookouts — panoramic hikes
The Balconies — rock formation lookout
Halls Gap — lunch stop
MacKenzie Falls — steps to the base of the falls
Grampians National Park — kangaroo and emu spotting

Wildlife Tours Australia Grampians National Park Wildlife & Waterfall Tour

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

MORNING: MELBOURNE TO THE GOLDFIELDS

An early start takes you west out of Melbourne on a drive of about 250 km through the old goldfields. Morning tea and snacks are included at a stop in Beaufort, a small town that grew out of the 1850s gold rushes, where your guide tells the story of the mining days. Then the country opens out into sheep paddocks and river red gums, and the jagged ridges of the Grampians rise ahead. Their Aboriginal name is Gariwerd. The ranges are tilted slabs of sandstone laid down around 400 million years ago, and they hold most of the known Aboriginal rock art sites in Victoria.

LATE MORNING: HALLS GAP AND THE LOOKOUTS

In Halls Gap you call in at the park's cultural and visitor centre to learn about Gariwerd and its traditional owners, the Djab Wurrung and Jardwadjali peoples. Look around the grounds for wallabies, emus and, with luck, an echidna. Then you climb to Reeds Lookout, with views west over Lake Wartook, a reservoir that supplies towns across the Wimmera, and the long Victoria Valley. A short, shady walk through gum trees and boulders leads to The Balconies, two sandstone ledges jutting out over the valley like open jaws, which is why they were once called the Jaws of Death. Stand behind the rail and the drop below feels endless.

AFTERNOON: MACKENZIE FALLS AND BOROKA LOOKOUT

Next is MacKenzie Falls, one of the few falls in the Grampians that flows all year. The track to the base is about 250 steps each way, steep and slippery with spray near the bottom, where the water spreads in a wide curtain into a dark pool. Rather skip the steps? A flat path runs to the top of the falls instead. If the track is closed, your guide swaps in a walk to Silverband Falls, a thin ribbon of water in a fern-filled gully. Then it's up to Boroka Lookout on the edge of the escarpment, which looks straight down on Halls Gap and Lake Bellfield. In poor visibility your guide may stop at Lake Bellfield instead.

LATE AFTERNOON: HALLS GAP AND HOME

Back down in Halls Gap it's time for lunch at your own expense, at one of the cafés, bakeries or pubs along the main street. Eastern grey kangaroos graze on the open grass around town, more and more of them as the afternoon cools, so keep your camera close. As you drive out of the park, watch the paddocks for emus and more kangaroos. The trip back to Melbourne takes about three hours, with a stop on the way to buy dinner, and you arrive in the city in the evening.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Selected Melbourne inner-city pick-up and drop-off points.
Minimum age: Not suitable for children under 6. Children aged 6 to 17 must travel with a parent or guardian.
Fitness: A moderate to high fitness level is needed for the hikes, lookout walks and stairs to MacKenzie Falls. Walking is about 4 km; driving is about 600 km. Not suitable for travellers using wheelchairs, walkers, prams or strollers.
Dietary needs: Give food allergies and any medical conditions at the time of booking.
Please note: Stops or routes may change with weather, park conditions or road access. Please reconfirm your tour within 7 days of departure.

What to bring

1 litre refillable water bottle
Wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses and sunscreen
All-weather active clothing
Comfortable closed-toe walking shoes with tread
Raincoat, jumper or windbreaker
One small day pack (5 to 7 kg); leave suitcases at your accommodation
Money for snacks and meals
Camera

What is included

National park admission
Morning tea and snacks
Guided bushwalks (about 4 km, subject to fitness)
Driver-guide and local commentary
Air-conditioned mini-coach
Pick-up and drop-off at selected Melbourne inner-city points
Audio and text translation app in 10 languages

Not included

Other meals — chances to buy food along the way
Transfers outside the scheduled pick-up and drop-off points
Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
Spending money

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

4.8

Based on 5 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)

Our Grampians day with Sam as guide was amazing, with beautiful scenery and a fun hike. I'd highly recommend it.

Kim Skelton Verified· Travelled 19th September 2026

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(5/5)

We went to the Grampians with Sean and it was a great experience. The vibe and the places were amazing, and Sean told us lots about the area and Australia.

Aitor Verified· Travelled 6th January 2026

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(5/5)

An excellent day in the Grampians with James, with beautiful hikes and lots of interesting details along the way. James can sing too, and we had a great group.

Susan Dion Verified· Travelled 16th December 2025

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(5/5)

I did the Grampians trip with Graham this week. It was well planned with plenty of toilet stops, and Graham was friendly, funny and full of stories.

Furukie Verified· Travelled 13th December 2025

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(4/5)

Lauren was an excellent guide on our Grampians trip, full of insights and making sure we got the most out of it. We ran on time, though the timing at stops and lunch could be better, and the bus wi-fi was handy.

Shan Verified· Travelled 25th November 2025

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