{"id":2581,"date":"2023-03-25T09:28:49","date_gmt":"2023-03-25T09:28:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/everythingvictoria.com.au\/?p=2581"},"modified":"2024-02-06T23:17:36","modified_gmt":"2024-02-06T23:17:36","slug":"things-to-do-halls-gap","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/everythingvictoria.com.au\/things-to-do-halls-gap\/","title":{"rendered":"22 Incredible Things to Do in Halls Gap"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Full of stunning viewpoints, world-famous hiking trails, and incredible natural beauty, Grampians National Park attracts visitors from throughout Australia and the rest of the world. On the eastern edge sits Halls Gap, a small town with a big personality. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s the perfect place to base yourself while exploring further afield in the Grampians, and most visitors do exactly that, whether they’re in the park for just one night or several days. What many people don’t realise, though, is that Halls Gap itself has an awful lot to offer as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hiking trails abound in the area, many of them starting right in town or very close to it. From easy nature strolls to strenuous climbs, you can take your pick. Those who prefer pedals to walking shoes are also well catered for: there’s a dedicated bike trail that runs through town, and most of the streets are quiet and easy to cycle around.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Climbing up the side of a mountain or sweating your way along a bike path aren’t the only options in town, though. From golfing to wineries, fishing to scenic flights, you’ll run out of time long before you run out of things to do!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are a number of things to do in Halls Gap with toddlers and small children as well, and even when it’s raining, you’ve got plenty of options beyond just sitting in your hotel room.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of course, Halls Gap’s location on the edge of the Grampians National Park means that heading even slightly out of town opens up a vast array of hiking trails, waterfalls, lakes and waterholes, and other stunning natural attractions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most of the activities I’ve mentioned start right in Halls Gap or will be an easy walk or bike ride from wherever you’re staying, and nothing in this guide is more than a half-hour drive from the centre of town.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I’ve loved every trip I’ve taken to Halls Gap, and in writing this guide, I’m hopeful you’ll do the same!<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

<\/path><\/svg><\/span>Take a Dip at Venus Baths<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Venus Baths near Halls Gap. PhotopankPL\/Shutterstock.com<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Just off Mount Victory Road lies a series of crystal-clear rock pools and small rapids fed by water from Stony Creek. Known as the Venus Baths after the Roman goddess of love and beauty, the pools’ clear blue waters reflect the surrounding trees and sky in a particularly photogenic way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The water comes from the mountains and is definitely refreshing (I’d say downright cold!), making it a popular spot to cool off after a sweaty walk. The water levels vary depending on the season and how much rain there’s been lately: while most of the pools are quite shallow, there are often a couple of deeper options if you’re after more of a swim than a paddle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The surrounding area is full of local plants and wildlife, and if you walk quietly, especially early in the morning, it’s not unusual to see kangaroos and wallabies along the trail. A number of bird species also live in the surrounding trees, and you’ll almost certainly hear them before you see them!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We visited on a cloudy weekday morning and there were only a couple of other people around, but it gets far more popular on hot summer afternoons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You’ve got a few choices about how to get there. The easier option<\/a> starts from the Botanic Gardens right in the middle of town, with signs pointing the way. It’s about a kilometre each way and relatively flat, making it a good choice if you’ve got small kids or mobility issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starting from the caravan park and running along the other side of the creek, an alternative path is about the same length but has a few more steps and narrow passages to navigate. The paths join just before the rock pools, so you can go there on one track and back on the other to make it a loop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally, you can come in from the Wonderland carpark on the other side, which is also the starting point for a number of longer walks. The Wonderland Loop, for example, runs for about 10km and takes in the Venus Baths as well as the Pinnacle and other attractions mentioned below. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/path><\/svg><\/span>Explore the Grand Canyon. No, Not That One<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Grand Canyon trail, near Halls Gap<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Why fly all the way to Arizona to visit the Grand Canyon when you can do it in Halls Gap instead? Yes, that’s right, some local visionary has named a rocky canyon just outside town after one of the most famous natural wonders in the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Having visited both, I’m not sure I’d recommend cancelling your US trip quite yet, but that doesn’t mean this one isn’t worth a visit! Accessed from the Wonderland carpark, a short 900m loop trail takes you over a footbridge and into the canyon and its fascinating rock formations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You’ll walk past sandstone cliffs that have been endlessly worn and carved out by the wind and rain, with plenty of native bush and small trees for company. The track is generally easy, albeit largely made up of uneven rocky ground and steps, so you’ll need to watch your footing to some degree. There’s a reasonable amount of shade, depending on the time of day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many people will likely go through the Grand Canyon as part of a longer walk to the Pinnacle<\/a> (below), a trail that also takes in other interesting geographic features like the shady Cool Chamber cavern, Bridal Veil Falls, and the narrow, high gorge known as Silent Street. Like I say, they sure know how to name things round these parts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That’s a longer and more difficult trail, though, so if you do decide to take it on, just make sure you’ve got decent shoes and enough water on hot days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/path><\/svg><\/span>Stand Atop the Pinnacle<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Me atop the Pinnacle, looking towards Halls Gap<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the most popular viewpoints near Hall’s Gap, the Pinnacle is a big rocky outcrop with spectacular vistas over the town and for miles around. It requires a bit of effort to get to, but you’ll be well rewarded for it, so lace up those walking shoes!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You’ve got a few different options on how to get there. The shortest and easiest walk is from the Sundial carpark <\/a>on (shockingly) Sundial Road, which is about 2km each way and doesn’t really get steep until the final stretch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The better route<\/a> in my opinion is the one I mentioned above, starting at the Wonderland carpark and taking in the Grand Canyon and other attractions enroute. It’s only slightly longer, but there’s much more to see along the way. It is harder, however, due to some rock hopping and up-and-down sections along the way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can also take the eastern half of the Wonderland Loop to get to the Pinnacle, which is a good option if you want to walk directly from the village rather than driving to a carpark.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However you do it, this isn’t a super-difficult walk if you take your time and have some decent shoes and a hiking pole if you want to take the pressure off your knees. Like viewpoints the world over, though, pay attention to the weather before you set off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fog or low cloud means you won’t see much of anything when you get to the top: it’s still a worthwhile walk either way, but if you can time it for a sunny day, the views will be dramatically better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/path><\/svg><\/span>Take in the Views From the Top of Boronia Peak<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Panoramic view from the top of Boronia Peak<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of my favourite walks in Halls Gap is the track up to Boronia Peak and back. For some reason it’s less popular than most of the other walks around town, and I’m not really sure why: on a clear day, the views are absolutely stunning. Other people’s loss is your gain, I guess.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You’ll start your walk along the Boronia Trail, which runs all the way from beside Delley’s Bridge on Grampians Road to Lake Bellfield. If you’re heading to the peak, you’re best to start either from the bridge (about 4.5km each way<\/a>) or for a shorter walk, the trailhead at the end of Tandara Road (a bit over 3km each way<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I’ve seen loads of animal life on this part of the trail, mostly wallabies and kangaroos, along with a cacophony of birds. It’s a great trail to slowly wander along: while this part isn’t exactly flat, it’s a lot flatter than what’s to come!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Wallaby beside the path on the Boronia Trail<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Whichever direction you’re coming from, you’ll hit a side trail with a signpost pointing towards the peak. That’s where things start to get more steep: it’s a steady climb for roughly 3km from there to the top, mostly along well-defined trail, but with a fair amount of rock scrambling at the end. As a result, this is definitely a fine-weather walk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You’ll work up a sweat on the way for sure, but it’s so<\/em> worth the effort. On the day we were up there, we had the entire rocky ridgeline to ourselves for well over half an hour as we enjoyed incredible views while demolishing a packed lunch in the sunshine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The usual story applies: wear shoes with plenty of grip, be prepared for the weather (it can be windy at the top, and sunburn is always an issue in summer), and take snacks and water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/path><\/svg><\/span>Check Out the Impressive Mackenzie Falls<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Mackenzie Falls. Note those steep steps on the left!<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

There are several waterfalls near Halls Gap, but most of them don’t flow all year unless it’s a particularly wet summer. The notable exception here is Mackenzie Falls, which is highly impressive no matter when you show up, and should absolutely be on your itinerary while you’re in town.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The falls are about a 25-minute drive west of town just off Mount Victory Road: there’s a picnic area and large parking lot on your way in, hinting at how popular this spot can get at peak times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once you’re parked up, you’ve got two choices: the easy way and the hard way. The easy option is just walking to the viewpoint that overlooks the falls from above (signposted from the carpark as Cranages Lookout). It’s a good view, and only takes a couple of minutes to get to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you don’t mind stairs, though, follow the Mackenzie Falls signs to the first of 260 steps that take you down to the base of the falls. There are viewing\/breath-catching areas in appropriate spots along the way, which give interesting angles that you don’t get from either the top or bottom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You’ll likely want to spend a little while at the bottom, to take a whole bunch of photos, dip your feet in the water, and to put off starting the climb back up again. Signs warn against swimming under the falls due to strong currents and submerged objects, but that didn’t seem to be stopping people when I last visited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Note however that as of early last year, the large rock shelf opposite the base of the falls is closed off due to safety concerns: you can’t currently get any closer than the end of the path that leads down there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you’ve still got any breath left by the time you get back to the top, it’s worth a quick walk to the Broken Falls lookout as well. It’s a different view, and worthy of some photos if there’s been a bit of rain recently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/path><\/svg><\/span>Stop In At Reed Lookout and the Balconies<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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The Balconies on a cloudy day<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

On your way back from Mackenzie Falls, be sure to stop in at Reed Lookout. It’s about halfway between Halls Gap and the falls: follow the small signpost (labeled Reids Lookout, just to confuse you) off Mount Victory Road to the carpark.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The viewing platforms are less than a minute from where you park, and provide stunning panoramic views over the surrounding bush-covered hills and valleys. It’s a particularly great option if you can time your visit for sunrise and sunset.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you’ve done enough walking for the day, then just jump back in the car once you’ve taken your photos and head back to town. I’d definitely recommended mustering a little extra energy if you can, though, and walk the short (1km each way) easy track from the carpark to the Balconies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Echidna
Echidna beside the trail enroute to the Balconies<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

This is another lovely viewpoint that looks out in a different direction, towards some flat-ish rocks that give the area its name. They’re worth seeing in their own right, especially with golden light bathing the rocks at the end of the day, but this is also a great place for a bit of wildlife spotting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wallabies are common around there, I saw an echidna on the trail on my last visit, and there’s always plenty of birdlife as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Like all the rest of the viewpoints in and around Halls Gap, pick your time to visit based on the weather. You won’t see anything on cloudy or foggy days, so it’s not worth the trip out there (unless you want to go echidna spotting, of course, which in my opinion is worth doing in any weather!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/path><\/svg><\/span>Go Rock Climbing<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Rock climbing in the Grampians. Brendan Hung\/Shutterstock.com<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

All of those sandstone cliffs on the way into Halls Gap can mean only one thing for those in the know: rock climbing is a big deal around here. Don’t be surprised if you see climbers scrambling around above you as you walk on some of the nearby trails: there are several popular climbing areas close to town.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you’re new to the sport, give local climbing instructors Hangin’ Out a call to arrange an introductory half or full day lesson. In business for over 20 years, they’ll provide instructors and all the gear you need to safely learn the ropes (pun intended) of this fun and exciting activity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prices get much cheaper per person for bookings of 3 or more people, so gather some friends and get ready to scale that sandstone!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/path><\/svg><\/span>Take a Dip in the Pool<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When the mercury rises in summer, a dip in the pool starts looking super-appealing. Sure, you can head to the natural pools at Venus Baths (above), but when water levels are low (as they often are in summer), you’re better off heading to the public baths instead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pools are generally open from 7am to 7pm from November 1 through Easter weekend, and popular with lap swimmers in the morning and everyone else later in the day. Hours do vary, though, so check the Facebook page<\/a> for the latest updates. There’s both a 25m pool and a toddler pool on offer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beside a small playground and opposite the caravan park, it’s easy to find, and there’s plenty of grass around nearby to lay out a towel and dry off after your time in the water. Entrance fees are $5.50 per person.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/path><\/svg><\/span>Learn More About the Park and its People<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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A post shared by The Brambuk Cafe & Eatery (@thebrambukcafe_eatery)<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/blockquote>