14 May 2019
After a morning hike to the Pinnacle, we returned to Halls Gap. At Halls Gap, we stopped by a field with loads of wild kangaroos.
These kangaroos, although wild, are used to humans that thronged through Halls Gap. We kept a safe distance to watch and photograph them while they grazed, napped and fed their young.
After viewing the kangaroos, we rewarded ourselves with a late lunch at Paper Scissors Rock Brew Co. Besides beer and ales, this restaurant serves excellent Asian-inspired pub food.
We ordered the slow braised pork cheek with Asian Herbs, crispy shallots and prawn cracker powder (AUD 16) and Beer Fried Chicken on Mac and Cheese waffle, bacon crumb and sriracha sour cream (AUD 18).
The beer fried chicken is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Yum. However, the mac and cheese crepes was a bit burnt. Hence some bits were hard.
The pork cheek dish was excellent. Highly recommended.
We spent the afternoon strolling around the village of Halls Gap. Halls Gap is a quiet place during the weekday afternoon in May.
There were quite a lot of wildlife to be seen and photographed. We saw flocks of noisy cockatoos flying overhead but they were too quick and far away to be photographed.
The birds in Australia are pretty. We saw pigeons with spiky feathers on their head. Even the ravens looked different from those we had seen back home.
Duck by the stream in Halls Gap.
This handsome Samoyed is someone’s pet. Could not resist taking a photo of it.
There was a pair of emu, grazing with some wild kangaroos and deer.
Free ranging deer at Halls Gap.
Autumn foliage at Halls Gap.
Even the ravens in Australia looked kind of pretty in black and white plumage. These guys were hoping for hand-outs as I enjoyed by afternoon tea outside our hotel room.
While wandering around Halls Gap, we checked out a few restaurants and made reservation for dinner at the popular bar and bistro called Kookaburra Hotel. Located right in the centre of Halls Gap, the Kookaburra Hotel offers fabulous food, great local wines and a relaxed atmosphere with a fireplace by our dining table.
I was tempted to pre-order their baked duckling that takes 45 minutes to prepare. The duckling is baked until crispy and served with a cream, brandy and green peppercorn sauce. There is also kangaroo fillet in the menu.
Instead of duck or kangaroo, we ordered the 250g Angus eye fillet (AUD 41) and stewed beef cheeks (AUD 34).
Angus Eye Fillet Steak with garlic butter. Served with baked potatoes and vegetables.
Beef cheeks slowed cooked in red wine, celery, carrots, onion and star anise. Served with garlic mash and vegetables.
This restaurant served excellent Australian beef dishes - a must-eat while in Australia.
Where we stayed in Grampians
The best place to stay when visiting the Grampians is at Halls Gap, the village at heart of the national park. There are caravan parks, campgrounds and the usual motels, lodges and hotels.
We stayed at the Kookaburra Motor Lodge (not the same as Kookaburra Hotel where we had dinner). Room Tip: The Kookaburra Motor Lodge has mountain-view rooms that face a large field with wild roaming kangaroos and views of the mountains. Try to book these rooms although it may cost slightly more.
It is best to book the accommodation in Halls Gap early, especially during the peak summer period.
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