Grampians National Park | National Parks Association

Grampians Overview

Grampians National Park, known as Gariwerd in the local Jardwadjali language, is a stunning natural reserve in Victoria, Australia.

Spanning approximately 646 square miles (1,673 square kilometers), the park is renowned for its rugged mountain ranges, dramatic sandstone cliffs, and vast forests. Located about 160 miles (260 kilometers) west of Melbourne, the park is a cherished site for both its natural beauty and deep Indigenous cultural significance.

The Grampians rise abruptly from the surrounding plains, with their highest peak, Mount William, standing at 3,829 feet (1,167 meters). The region features a network of striking escarpments, deep gorges, and picturesque waterfalls, including MacKenzie Falls, which is among the most visited sites.

The landscape is further characterized by dense eucalyptus forests, fern-filled gullies, and seasonal wildflower displays that bring vibrant color to the terrain.

Wildlife is abundant within Grampians National Park, offering visitors a chance to encounter a variety of native Australian species. Among the most commonly seen mammals are eastern grey kangaroos, swamp wallabies, and emus, often spotted along trails or in open grasslands.

The park is also home to echidnas and sugar gliders, along with a diverse range of bird species. Birdwatchers can spot the endangered red-tailed black cockatoo, superb fairy-wrens, wedge-tailed eagles, and numerous species of honeyeaters. Reptiles such as bearded dragons and shingleback lizards can often be seen basking in the sun, while at night, possums and owls emerge from the dense tree cover.

One of the most popular features of the park is the series of breathtaking lookouts, including the Pinnacle, which offers sweeping views over Halls Gap and the surrounding ranges. Other well-known vantage points include Reed Lookout and Boroka Lookout, both of which provide dramatic panoramas of the rugged landscape.

The Balconies, a rock formation resembling a set of stone windows, is another must-see location. MacKenzie Falls remains a favorite among visitors, with its year-round cascading waters creating a refreshing retreat.

The park also holds significant Indigenous rock art sites, with well-preserved paintings at places such as Bunjil’s Shelter and Gulgurn Manja Shelter, providing insight into the cultural history of the region’s traditional custodians.

Visitors to the Grampians can engage with the park in numerous ways. Hiking is one of the most popular activities, with trails ranging from short walks to multi-day treks. The Grampians Peaks Trail offers a challenging but rewarding experience for those looking to explore the park’s diverse terrain. Rock climbing and abseiling are also highly popular, particularly around Mount Arapiles and the Wonderland Range.

Wildlife viewing and photography are frequent pursuits, while camping under the stars allows for an immersive experience in the park’s serene environment. During spring, the wildflower season draws nature enthusiasts keen to witness the park’s spectacular floral displays.

Grampians National Park faces ongoing conservation challenges, particularly related to bushfires, invasive species, and the impacts of tourism. The park has seen significant bushfire events, which have shaped its landscape and necessitated extensive recovery efforts.

Conservation initiatives focus on protecting endangered species, restoring native vegetation, and managing visitor impact. Successes include the preservation of critical habitats for rare wildlife and the engagement of Indigenous communities in land management practices.

Sustainable tourism efforts continue to balance environmental protection with visitor enjoyment, ensuring the park remains a treasured destination for future generations.

Park Map

Grampians National Park Highlights

Wildlife

Birds

Grampians National Park is a haven for birdwatchers, with over 200 bird species recorded. From striking parrots to majestic birds of prey, the park’s diverse habitats provide a home for many remarkable avian species.

Superb Fairywren
This small, vibrant blue bird is a favorite among visitors. Males have a striking electric-blue plumage, while females are brown. They are highly social and can often be seen hopping along the ground in search of insects.

Australian Magpie
Known for its melodious calls, the Australian Magpie is an intelligent and territorial bird. It has black-and-white plumage and is often seen foraging on the ground for insects and small prey.

Gang-gang Cockatoo
Easily recognizable by its unique call that resembles a creaky door, the Gang-gang Cockatoo is a medium-sized parrot with a distinctive red head in males and gray plumage in females. They are often seen feeding on seeds and berries in the park.

Sulphur-crested Cockatoo
A loud and playful bird, the Sulphur-crested Cockatoo is easily identified by its white plumage and bright yellow crest. These highly intelligent birds are often seen in flocks, foraging in trees or on the ground.

Wedge-tailed Eagle
Australia’s largest bird of prey, the Wedge-tailed Eagle has an impressive wingspan of up to 2.5 meters. It soars high above the park’s mountain ranges, scanning for prey such as rabbits, small mammals, and carrion.

Peregrine Falcon
One of the fastest birds in the world, the Peregrine Falcon is known for its high-speed dives when hunting. It nests on rocky cliffs and tall trees throughout the park and preys on smaller birds.

Crimson Rosella
A brightly colored parrot with red and blue plumage, the Crimson Rosella is a common sight in the Grampians. These birds are often found in woodlands and feed on seeds, nectar, and fruit.

Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo
This striking black cockatoo has yellow cheek patches and a distinctive call that echoes through the forest. They feed on seeds and insects, often tearing apart tree bark in search of grubs.

Eastern Spinebill
A small honeyeater with a long, curved bill, the Eastern Spinebill feeds primarily on nectar from native flowers. It is often seen flitting around flowering plants in search of food.

Emu
Australia’s largest bird, the Emu, is a flightless species that roams the open woodlands and grasslands of the Grampians. These large, powerful birds can run at high speeds and are known for their curious and inquisitive nature.

Popular

Grampians National Park, located in Victoria, Australia, is home to a rich diversity of wildlife, including iconic marsupials and unique reptiles. The park’s rugged mountain ranges, forests, and open grasslands provide habitat for many fascinating species.

Eastern Grey Kangaroo
One of Australia’s most recognizable marsupials, the Eastern Grey Kangaroo is commonly seen grazing in open grasslands and woodlands of the park. They are social animals, often found in large groups, and can cover great distances with their powerful hind legs.

Common Wombat
This stocky, burrowing marsupial is known for its strong claws and cube-shaped droppings. Nocturnal by nature, wombats spend their days in deep burrows and emerge at night to feed on grasses and roots.

Swamp Wallaby
A smaller relative of the kangaroo, the Swamp Wallaby is more solitary and prefers dense vegetation. It has a distinctive black-tipped tail and a darker coat compared to other wallabies in the park.

Koala
Although sometimes difficult to spot, koalas are found high in eucalyptus trees, feeding almost exclusively on their leaves. These sleepy marsupials are known for their round, fluffy ears and their slow, deliberate movements.

Short-beaked Echidna
One of Australia’s most unique creatures, the echidna is a monotreme, meaning it lays eggs. Covered in spines, it uses its long, sticky tongue to feed on ants and termites found in the park’s forests and grasslands.

Tiger Snake
One of Australia’s most venomous snakes, the Tiger Snake is often seen near water sources. It is highly variable in color but usually has bands similar to a tiger, giving it its name. Despite its potent venom, it typically avoids human encounters.

Shingleback Lizard
Also known as the Stumpy-tailed Lizard, this reptile is famous for its short, stubby tail that resembles its head, a feature that confuses predators. It has a tough, scaly body and feeds on vegetation, flowers, and insects.

Red-necked Wallaby
Similar to the Swamp Wallaby, the Red-necked Wallaby has a reddish-brown coloring on its shoulders and neck. These wallabies are more active at dawn and dusk and are commonly found near forest edges.

Sugar Glider
A nocturnal gliding marsupial, the Sugar Glider can soar between trees using a membrane stretching from its wrists to ankles. It primarily feeds on nectar, insects, and tree sap, and is best seen at night.

Eastern Brown Snake
One of the world’s most venomous snakes, the Eastern Brown Snake is common in dry woodlands and grasslands of the park. It is fast and highly alert, though it typically avoids confrontation unless threatened.

Birds

Grampians National Park is a haven for birdwatchers, with over 200 bird species recorded. From striking parrots to majestic birds of prey, the park’s diverse habitats provide a home for many remarkable avian species.

Superb Fairywren
This small, vibrant blue bird is a favorite among visitors. Males have a striking electric-blue plumage, while females are brown. They are highly social and can often be seen hopping along the ground in search of insects.

Australian Magpie
Known for its melodious calls, the Australian Magpie is an intelligent and territorial bird. It has black-and-white plumage and is often seen foraging on the ground for insects and small prey.

Gang-gang Cockatoo
Easily recognizable by its unique call that resembles a creaky door, the Gang-gang Cockatoo is a medium-sized parrot with a distinctive red head in males and gray plumage in females. They are often seen feeding on seeds and berries in the park.

Sulphur-crested Cockatoo
A loud and playful bird, the Sulphur-crested Cockatoo is easily identified by its white plumage and bright yellow crest. These highly intelligent birds are often seen in flocks, foraging in trees or on the ground.

Wedge-tailed Eagle
Australia’s largest bird of prey, the Wedge-tailed Eagle has an impressive wingspan of up to 2.5 meters. It soars high above the park’s mountain ranges, scanning for prey such as rabbits, small mammals, and carrion.

Peregrine Falcon
One of the fastest birds in the world, the Peregrine Falcon is known for its high-speed dives when hunting. It nests on rocky cliffs and tall trees throughout the park and preys on smaller birds.

Crimson Rosella
A brightly colored parrot with red and blue plumage, the Crimson Rosella is a common sight in the Grampians. These birds are often found in woodlands and feed on seeds, nectar, and fruit.

Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo
This striking black cockatoo has yellow cheek patches and a distinctive call that echoes through the forest. They feed on seeds and insects, often tearing apart tree bark in search of grubs.

Eastern Spinebill
A small honeyeater with a long, curved bill, the Eastern Spinebill feeds primarily on nectar from native flowers. It is often seen flitting around flowering plants in search of food.

Emu
Australia’s largest bird, the Emu, is a flightless species that roams the open woodlands and grasslands of the Grampians. These large, powerful birds can run at high speeds and are known for their curious and inquisitive nature.

Popular

Grampians National Park, located in Victoria, Australia, is home to a rich diversity of wildlife, including iconic marsupials and unique reptiles. The park’s rugged mountain ranges, forests, and open grasslands provide habitat for many fascinating species.

Eastern Grey Kangaroo
One of Australia’s most recognizable marsupials, the Eastern Grey Kangaroo is commonly seen grazing in open grasslands and woodlands of the park. They are social animals, often found in large groups, and can cover great distances with their powerful hind legs.

Common Wombat
This stocky, burrowing marsupial is known for its strong claws and cube-shaped droppings. Nocturnal by nature, wombats spend their days in deep burrows and emerge at night to feed on grasses and roots.

Swamp Wallaby
A smaller relative of the kangaroo, the Swamp Wallaby is more solitary and prefers dense vegetation. It has a distinctive black-tipped tail and a darker coat compared to other wallabies in the park.

Koala
Although sometimes difficult to spot, koalas are found high in eucalyptus trees, feeding almost exclusively on their leaves. These sleepy marsupials are known for their round, fluffy ears and their slow, deliberate movements.

Short-beaked Echidna
One of Australia’s most unique creatures, the echidna is a monotreme, meaning it lays eggs. Covered in spines, it uses its long, sticky tongue to feed on ants and termites found in the park’s forests and grasslands.

Tiger Snake
One of Australia’s most venomous snakes, the Tiger Snake is often seen near water sources. It is highly variable in color but usually has bands similar to a tiger, giving it its name. Despite its potent venom, it typically avoids human encounters.

Shingleback Lizard
Also known as the Stumpy-tailed Lizard, this reptile is famous for its short, stubby tail that resembles its head, a feature that confuses predators. It has a tough, scaly body and feeds on vegetation, flowers, and insects.

Red-necked Wallaby
Similar to the Swamp Wallaby, the Red-necked Wallaby has a reddish-brown coloring on its shoulders and neck. These wallabies are more active at dawn and dusk and are commonly found near forest edges.

Sugar Glider
A nocturnal gliding marsupial, the Sugar Glider can soar between trees using a membrane stretching from its wrists to ankles. It primarily feeds on nectar, insects, and tree sap, and is best seen at night.

Eastern Brown Snake
One of the world’s most venomous snakes, the Eastern Brown Snake is common in dry woodlands and grasslands of the park. It is fast and highly alert, though it typically avoids confrontation unless threatened.

Birds

Grampians National Park is a haven for birdwatchers, with over 200 bird species recorded. From striking parrots to majestic birds of prey, the park’s diverse habitats provide a home for many remarkable avian species.

Superb Fairywren
This small, vibrant blue bird is a favorite among visitors. Males have a striking electric-blue plumage, while females are brown. They are highly social and can often be seen hopping along the ground in search of insects.

Australian Magpie
Known for its melodious calls, the Australian Magpie is an intelligent and territorial bird. It has black-and-white plumage and is often seen foraging on the ground for insects and small prey.

Gang-gang Cockatoo
Easily recognizable by its unique call that resembles a creaky door, the Gang-gang Cockatoo is a medium-sized parrot with a distinctive red head in males and gray plumage in females. They are often seen feeding on seeds and berries in the park.

Sulphur-crested Cockatoo
A loud and playful bird, the Sulphur-crested Cockatoo is easily identified by its white plumage and bright yellow crest. These highly intelligent birds are often seen in flocks, foraging in trees or on the ground.

Wedge-tailed Eagle
Australia’s largest bird of prey, the Wedge-tailed Eagle has an impressive wingspan of up to 2.5 meters. It soars high above the park’s mountain ranges, scanning for prey such as rabbits, small mammals, and carrion.

Peregrine Falcon
One of the fastest birds in the world, the Peregrine Falcon is known for its high-speed dives when hunting. It nests on rocky cliffs and tall trees throughout the park and preys on smaller birds.

Crimson Rosella
A brightly colored parrot with red and blue plumage, the Crimson Rosella is a common sight in the Grampians. These birds are often found in woodlands and feed on seeds, nectar, and fruit.

Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo
This striking black cockatoo has yellow cheek patches and a distinctive call that echoes through the forest. They feed on seeds and insects, often tearing apart tree bark in search of grubs.

Eastern Spinebill
A small honeyeater with a long, curved bill, the Eastern Spinebill feeds primarily on nectar from native flowers. It is often seen flitting around flowering plants in search of food.

Emu
Australia’s largest bird, the Emu, is a flightless species that roams the open woodlands and grasslands of the Grampians. These large, powerful birds can run at high speeds and are known for their curious and inquisitive nature.

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