The Grampians Travel Guide

About 120 km (79 mi) west of the Gold Country are the Grampians, sometimes referred to by their Aboriginal name Gariwerd. This 415,000-acre region combines stunning mountain scenery, abundant native wildlife, and invigorating outdoor activities. The sharp sandstone peaks here were long ago forced up from an ancient seabed, and sculpted by aeons of wind and rain. Today the park has more than 160 km (106 mi) of walking trails, as well as some 900 wildflower species, 200 species of birds, and 35 species of native mammals. The best time to visit is October-December, when wildflowers carpet the landscape, the weather is mild, and summer crowds have yet to arrive. There are several wineries in the region, including the historic Seppelt vineyard and winery at Great Western about 25 km (16 mi) east of Halls Gap, which offers fascinating tours of its underground wine cellars.