12 May 2019
Renowned for rugged mountain ranges, rich cultural heritage and breath-taking views, the Grampians National Park is one of Victoria's most popular destinations. We planned to spend 2 days at the National Park to do some hiking and be close to nature.
Drive from Dandenong to Grampians
After breakfast at a cafe near our hotel in Ferntree Gully, we started on our estimated 4 hours road trip. The drive included a section on the CityLink toll road (M1 – Monash Freeway) to Melbourne. There are no toll booths on Melbourne's toll roads. At each toll point, vehicles pass under a gantry which is fitted with both communication scanners and cameras and the toll is collected electronically using an e-tag fitted on the vehicle.
Our rental vehicle from Avis is fitted with such devices, so we have no worries about unpaid tolls. Tolls would be included into our bill when we returned the vehicle.
There were a few crisscrossing motorways surrounding Melbourne and the GPS on our mobile phones became extremely helpful. The navigation became easy once we got onto the M8 motorway towards Ballarat.
After about 2 hours of driving, we arrived at Ballarat. Ballarat is a large town located somewhat at the midpoint of our journey. An ideal rest stop to fill our stomach and fill up our car. We also bought some provisions from a large Woolworths supermarket.
It was another 2 hours of driving through A8 and C222 before we entered into the Grampians National Park. I enjoy driving on the country roads like the C222 as it offers some good views and changing landscape.
On the C222, between the town of Ararat and Grampians National Park.
Yellow warning signs with silhouette of a hopping kangaroos could be seen regularly along the road. This is a sign that we took seriously and slowed down since a collision with a kangaroo would be disastrous. We actually spotted a large grey kangaroo grazing by the road.
We arrived at Halls Gap, the village located in the heart of Grampians National Park, at about 2 PM.
The sun sets at about 5.30 PM in May at the Grampians. Instead of checking into our hotel at Halls Gap, we headed straight to Mackenzie Falls which was about another 25 minutes driving time from Halls Gap along Mt Victory Road (also marked as C222 on the map).
Mackenzie Falls
The iconic and spectacular MacKenzie Falls is a must do for all visitors to Grampians National Park. MacKenzie Falls is one of the largest waterfalls in Victoria.
To see the falls, one could take the easy, one-kilometre path to the viewing platform at the Bluff or the steep trail to the base of the falls (Distance: 2 km return and duration: 1 hour 30 minutes return).
We chose to hike to the base of the waterfall as the views at the end of this steep trail are spectacular.
Upper MacKenzie Falls – a not-so-impressive fall that we saw on the way down.
Trail leading down to the base of the MacKenzie Falls.
Spectacular MacKenzie Falls as viewed at the base.
A series of well-placed stones allowed us to cross the river at the base of the waterfall. The views were spectacular as promised.
A hiking trail continues down river beyond the falls. We followed this trail for a short distance enjoying the views of the river canyon and some solitude.
Trail at the river canyon of Mackenzie Falls.
We enjoyed some moments of peace until a large group from a tour descended down to the falls. This was a signal for us to leave and huff and puff our way back up.
Reeds Lookout
Reeds Lookout is along the route from MacKenzie Falls back towards Halls Gap. From the car park, it was just a short walk to the viewing point.
The summit of Reeds Lookout offers stunning views over the entire Victoria Valley, Victoria Range, Serra Range, Lake Wartook and the Mt Difficult Range.
Reeds Lookout.
The Balconies
From the same car park as Reeds Lookout, we walked the relatively easy trail (Distance: 2 km round trip) to The Balconies for panoramic views of Victoria Valley and the surrounding ranges.
The hike offers some good landscape as well. To the left of the walking track are a series of gorgeous stone platforms. The unusual rock formations that stick out of the mountain make this spot particularly unique.
We arrived at the Balconies lookout point to find that access to the “Jaws of Death” had been fenced off for safety purposes. Apparently, it is called the “Jaws of Death” for a reason.
There is a safe viewing platform for us to see the Balconies and the panoramic views of Victoria Valley and the surrounding ranges.
Panoramic views of Victoria Valley and the surrounding ranges. Quite similar to the view we saw at Reeds Lookout.
Boroka Lookout
Boroka is another lookout that offers the best panoramic views of the Grampians. It was a longer drive on a narrow paved Mt Difficult Road, off Mt Victory Road, to the car park next to the lookout point. It was getting dark on this forest road. It is unwise to drive on the pitch dark mountain roads at night. But we knew we had time before the sun sets at 5.30 PM.
From the car park, it was just a very short walk to two viewing platforms with excellent views over the valley below and some great rock formations.
Boroka Lookout provides panoramic views over Halls Gap and the east of the Grampians.
We saw some people climbing over the safety barriers to get to the ledge shown in photo above. I think it is not wise risking one’s life just to get a photo to post on Instagram.
Dinner at Spirit of Punjab
We made it back to Halls Gap and checked into our hotel before dark. We went to the Indian restaurant (Spirit of Punjab) recommended by the lady who checked us in at the Kookaburra Motor Lodge.
We had to drive on the dark roads with no street lamps, within Halls Gap, to get to the restaurant. Shadowy figures of kangaroos could be seen by the road as we made our way slowly to our destination. There was almost no other traffic on the roads.
This restaurant was well patronised since it is probably one of the better restaurants in the village. We ordered Chicken Makhani (AUD 18.50) and Lamb Rogan Josh (AUD 19.50), with two pieces of garlic naan (AUD 3 each). The Chicken Makhani, also known as butter chicken, is Tandoori chicken cooked in tomato and cashew based sauce. Lamb Rogan Josh is Indian lamb curry cooked in onion and tomato based sauce.
Chicken Makhani (Butter chicken) (left), Lamb Rogan Josh (right) and Garlic Naan (top).
The menu at the Spirit of Punjab provided diners with a choice of how spicy you want the food to be – mild (no chilli), mild-medium (1 chilli rating), medium (2 chillis rating), medium hot (3 chillis rating), HOT and VOLCANO HOT!
Since we are used to spicy food, we asked for medium hot (3-chillis rating) but the waitress advised us that we should reduce to medium (2-chillis rating).
Thank goodness we heed her advice! The curry lamb rogan josh was very spicy, even with a 2-chillis rating. The curry lamb was delicious but the spiciness made me perspired like George Calombaris, one of the judges from MasterChef Australia, when he tasted spicy food.
Nevertheless, we enjoyed our spicy Indian food and evening at this excellent restaurant.
Where we stayed in Grampians
The best place to stay when visiting the Grampians National Park is at Halls Gap, the village at heart of the park. It is best to book the accommodation in Halls Gap early, especially during the peak summer period.
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