This is a must-visit hiking destination in Australia
Halls Gap is located 260 km west of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, in the center of Grampians National Park, overlooking the Wonderland and Mount William Ranges. It is home to the indigenous people of Victoria, and visitors can enjoy spectacular hiking trails, stunning scenery, and wildlife including kangaroos, emus, wallabies, and a variety of birds.
Recommended attractions
- Boroka Lookout: Accessible by car, from Halls Gap, take the C222 Highway, then turn right at the Mt Difficult Rd intersection, about 20 minutes in total. There are large rocks for photos, but some areas are fenced off, so be careful.
- Reed Lookout: About 10 minutes by car from Boroka Lookout, in addition to the view, there are also boulders, which are more thrilling than Boroka Lookout.
- Mackenzie Falls: Continue up the mountain from Reed Lookout for about 10 minutes, one of the largest waterfalls in Victoria, with a drop of about 50 meters, requires a hike, about 1 hour round trip, requires some physical strength.
- Lake Bellfield: Very close to Halls Gap, the lake is large, with several stops along the lake, the nearest point has a dam to walk to the other side, and a picnic area, swimming, kayaking.
- Pinnacle Lookout: There are three hiking options, starting at Sundial Carpark, Wonderland Carpark, and Halls Gap Caravan Park. The route from Sundial Carpark is the easiest and suitable for families with children or the elderly; the route from Wonderland Carpark is more difficult, but the Grand Canyon landscape is impressive, both routes take about 2 hours round trip; the route from Halls Gap Caravan Park is the most difficult, taking at least 5 hours, and is recommended for experienced hikers.
- Halls Gap Zoo: 7 km from the town, you can get up close and personal with over 160 native and wild animals.
Travel tips
- Accommodation: Halls Gap has a variety of options including campgrounds, motels, and hotels, such as NRMA Halls Gap Holiday Park, which has a heated saltwater pool, golf course, tennis court, and other facilities. If you are visiting during the holidays, you need to book at least three months in advance.
- Food: There are many cafes and restaurants in the area where you can enjoy delicious coffee and meals. In addition, Halls Gap is one of the oldest food and wine festivals in Australia, held on the first weekend of May each year.
- Transportation: You can drive there, about 3 hours from Melbourne. You can also take a train or long-distance bus, but you need to change trains in Ballarat or Stawell.