Grampians Accommodation & Holiday Cabins

The closest major urban centre to the Grampians is Melbourne. You can fly into Melbourne from any major city in Australia, with all of the country's airlines offering flights to the airport. Once in Melbourne, you can easily hire a car and drive to the national park, or take a combination of train and bus.

The drive from Melbourne to the Grampians is just over 250km and usually takes about two hours and 45min. The route takes you through the town of Ballarat, and interesting place to stop and learn about the history of gold mining in Australia. You can even try panning for gold if you're feeling lucky.

There are no direct bus or train trips to the Grampians. The easiest way to get there is to take a two to two and half hour train to Ararat station from Southern Cross Station in Melbourne. From Ararat, you can take a 50min bus ride to Halls Gap, a quaint village and the gateway to the Grampians.

You'll find numerous, diverse restaurants in Halls Gap, on the east side of the national park. At the Quarry Restaurant, you can enjoy steaks and other bistro-style dishes, as well as great desserts. The restaurant also enjoys nice park views.

Barney’s Bistro, in nearby Pomonal, serves chicken schnittys and garlic prawns, with rustic decor that adds charm to the traditional Australian fare. If you're lucky, you can also spot a kangaroo on the lawns outside.

For nice local wine and sophisticated bistro food served by the fireplace, holidaymakers in Grampian should head to Kookaburra Restaurant. Spirit of Punjab, meanwhile, is the place to have some authentic spicy Indian food and curries.

Children love the Halls Gap Zoo, where 53 acres of land are devoted to a varied mix of exotic and indigenous animals. Australian fauna includes wallabies, dingos, wombats, emus, kangaroos, and koalas. You and the kids can also spend plenty of time observing over 160 species of foreign birds, reptiles, and mammals, including cheetahs, ostriches, and giraffes.

A stop at Brambuk - The National Park & Cultural Centre is a good way for the entire family to get acquainted with local aboriginal culture and learn more about the flora of the region. There's also a cafe here serving bush-style cuisine, in case the little ones get hungry!

Lake Lonsdale is an idyllic spot to go picnicking, swimming, and fishing, and it is also a fine place to camp. Even if you're just stopping by briefly, be sure to dip a toe in the water for a little refreshment.

Little ones will also enjoy time spent at the Volcanoes Discovery Centre, located at dormant Mt Rouse’s foot. Interactive exhibits about eruptions in the region, as well as how they played an import role in shaping the landscape, might be of interest to everyone in your family.

A camping holiday in the Grampians is budget-friendly and allows you to truly experience the Australian bush. Visitors looking forward to multi-day backpacking hikes will find a variety of routes that all have excellent campsites along the way. The hiking routes in the Grampians are well marked but guided options are also available for visitors.

Hiring a self-catering cabin is a popular Grampians accommodation option. Cabins in Halls Gap are ideal if you're looking to be situated near restaurants, shops, and the start of most of the trails and driving routes. If you prefer being out in the bush, you will find a number of picturesque and remote country cabins to hire.

Held annually since 1878, the Stawell Easter Gift is a prestigious foot race for local and international runners. The high point of the event is that the tracks run through the breathtaking landscape of the Grampians National Park. The high point for children, however, is the event's annual Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt! The Avoca Cup, held in autumn, is another event for enjoying track-side entertainment, this time while sipping on delicious wine and enjoying great food.

The Grampians Grape Escape Food and Wine Festival is another popular event that is held every year in May. Visitors can indulge in wine tastings, twilight dinners, and also fill their baskets with gourmet goodies and locally-grown produce. For local food and home-grown produce in a more regular setting, visit the Halls Gap Community Market every third Sunday, throughout the year except in March. You can also pick up handicrafts at the market, ideal for souvenirs to bring home.