From the street, The Pinnacle appears unnervingly high and potentially difficult to walk. The good news is that it is not, and the views from the lookout make every bit of effort worthwhile. It is one of the very best vantage points in the Grampians National Park for terrific scenic views over a vast expanse of western Victoria.
There are a number of walking options to reach The Pinnacle, varying in distance and difficulty. The easiest route to The Pinnacle departs from the Sundial carpark within the national park and ascends to The Pinnacle via Devils Gap. This is the best route to use if young children or unconfident walkers are part of your walking group. The 4.2km walk will take one and a half to two hours for the return trip. It does include some water crossings and rock-hopping, so good sturdy shoes are essential.
A more challenging walk departs from the aptly named Wonderland carpark and ascends via the impressive Grand Canyon. It does not resemble the American canyon of the same name but is equally impressive with its unique Australian rock formations, albeit on a smaller scale! The walk continues through the Silent Street before rising up to The Pinnacle.
For the really adventurous, you can walk to The Pinnacle from the base of the mountains, starting at the Halls Gap caravan park. This extended walk will take around five hours return so is suitable for fit and experienced walkers.
All these walks offer a variety of incredible rock formations to see and negotiate, as well as lush vegetation that has recovered from bushfires with fresh spurts of new growth. In springtime, wildflowers burst into life with their brilliant bright colours. With an abundance of wildlife living in the park, your walk may also include glimpses of koalas, kangaroos, snakes, skinks and maybe even an echidna or two.
Whichever way you get there, the view from The Pinnacle lookout will astound you. While you get your breath back after your ascent, you will be able to see Halls Gap far below you, as well as Lake Bellfield. Plus you will get a close-up look at the irregular and fascinating rock formations for which the Grampians are so well-known.
A more challenging walk departs from the aptly named Wonderland carpark and ascends via the impressive Grand Canyon. It does not resemble the American canyon of the same name but is equally impressive with its unique Australian rock formations, albeit on a smaller scale! The walk continues through the Silent Street before rising up to The Pinnacle.
For the really adventurous, you can walk to The Pinnacle from the base of the mountains, starting at the Halls Gap caravan park. This extended walk will take around five hours return so is suitable for fit and experienced walkers.
All these walks offer a variety of incredible rock formations to see and negotiate, as well as lush vegetation that has recovered from bushfires with fresh spurts of new growth. In springtime, wildflowers burst into life with their brilliant bright colours. With an abundance of wildlife living in the park, your walk may also include glimpses of koalas, kangaroos, snakes, skinks and maybe even an echidna or two.
Whichever way you get there, the view from The Pinnacle lookout will astound you. While you get your breath back after your ascent, you will be able to see Halls Gap far below you, as well as Lake Bellfield. Plus you will get a close-up look at the irregular and fascinating rock formations for which the Grampians are so well-known.
The Pinnacle walks
Hiking and bushwalking
Witness breathtaking natural scenery at some of Victoria’s most iconic places when you lace up your boots and take to a hiking trail.
Bird watching
From bushland to wetlands and everything in between, parks provide habitat to an abundance of common and rare bird species. Go for a wander and see how many you can spot.
Wildlife viewing
Get up close and personal with some of Australia's shy native wildlife or look up to spot tree-dwelling mammals and flocks of colourful birds,
Brambuk The National Park and Culture Centre
Brambuk The National Park and Cultural Centre in Halls Gap began with the building of the Brambuk Cultural Centre in 1989 to acknowledge, protect and share the cultures of the Jadawadjali and Djab Wurrung Peoples.
How to get there
The Pinnacle walks
Grampians National Park is located in Western Victoria, a three-hour (260km) drive from Melbourne and a five-hour (460km) drive from Adelaide. The central Grampians is easily accessed from the villages of Halls Gap and Wartook and is a scenic day trip from the regional towns of Hamilton, Horsham, Stawell and Ararat. It is also a key destination on the internationally renowned Great Southern Touring Route.
When you're there
Download the Grampians National Park visitor guide for more information about the park and the plethora of experiences to be had within its borders.
Need to know
The Pinnacle walks
Accessibility
Visiting a park can be more of a challenge for people with disabilities, however in Victoria there are a wide range of facilities to help people of all abilities enjoy our wonderful parks around the state.
Change of Conditions
Nature being nature, sometimes conditions can change at short notice. It’s a good idea to check this page ahead of your visit for any updates.
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Notices Affecting Multiple Sites
Grand Canyon Staircase Closed
The steel staircase at the south-eastern exit of the Grand Canyon is closed due to an engineering issue. The Grand Canyon remains open as a return walk from Wonderland Carpark. The Pinnacle walk remains open via the canyon bypass walking track.Mount Difficult road closure. Boroka lookout closure
Mount Difficult Road, between Mount Victory Road and the Boroka lookout will be closed. -
Grampians National Park
Mitchell Road Closed
Mitchell Road is closed until further notice due to storm damage to a concrete causeway.Mt Zero Roadworks - 10th to 24th May 2021
Mt Zero Road will be closed due to roadworks between Red Gum Lease Track and Pines Road from Monday the 10th of May to Monday the 24th of May 2021 (inclusive).If works are completed ahead of schedule, the road may open earlier.During this period the alternative route is via Fyans Creek Road and Pines Road.Mt Zero Road Closure - Grampians National Park
Due to Road upgrade works, Mt Zero Road (Between Halls Gap and Pines Road) will be closed to all traffic from Friday May 14 2021 until 5pm Friday May 21st 2021.
Access to Plantation campground is via Fyans Creek road and Pines Road.Access to Red Gum Lease bush camping area is via Fyans Creek road and Red Gum Lease track.For further details please contact Brambuk the National Park and Cultural centre phone 8427 2058Park Access Update - 23/04/2021
Download the latest Grampians National Parks Access Update to find out what is closed or has access issues in the park.Attachments: Grampians Access Update 23rd April 2021 (173KB)
Road Report - 13/05/2021
Download the latest Grampians National Park road report to find out the condition of the parks roads and four wheel drive tracks.Attachments: Grampians NP Road Report - 13 May 2021 (108KB)
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First Wannon Hike-in Camping Area (Grampians National Park)
Major Mitchell Plateau Walking Track Partial Closure
The Major Mitchell Plateau Walking Track is closed between Stockyard Track and Jimmy Creek Campground due to Grampians Peaks Trail works.Walkers crossing the plateau must use Stockyard Track as the southern access route. Vehicles may be parked at Mafeking Picnic Area or the corner of Mafeking and Emmett Roads.Walkers undertaking the three day circuit, must use Stockyard Track, Emmett Road and Jimmy Creek Road as the alternative route. This alternative involves approximately 10km of four wheel drive track and unsealed road walking.See the attached map for assistance with orientation.For further information contact Brambuk the National Park and Cultural Centre in Halls Gap in (03) 8427 2258.Attachments: Major Mitchell Plateau - Stockyard to Jimmy Closure (9,807KB)
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Mount Difficult Summit Walk (Grampians National Park)
Mt Difficult Walking Track Closure
Due to Grampians Peaks Trail construction works the Mt Difficult walking track between Deep Creek Track Junction and Mt Difficult (Gar) Summit Track Junction will be closed until further notice. Please see attached map.Mt Difficult (Gar) remains accessible from Mt Difficult Road and Longpoint West Hike-in Camping Area as a return walk. Please keep in mind this is a rough grade 4 walking track only suitable for more experienced bushwalkers. Limited roadside parking is available on Mt Difficult Road.Beehive Falls and Briggs Bluff remain open as return walks from Beehive Falls Carpark.Attachments: Mt Difficult Range Track Closure (2,245KB)
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Wannon Crossing Campground (Grampians National Park)
Wannon Crossing Campground Closure
Wannon Crossing Campground will be closed between Tuesday the 11th of May and Friday the 2nd of July 2021 due to park operations and Grampians Peaks Trail construction works.The nearest alternative campground is Jimmy Creek Campground. -
Other issues
Stony Creek Group Camping Area Relocated
Stony Creek Group Camping Area has been relocated 500m west of Rosea Carpark on Stony Creek Road. Walkers should access this site by following Stony Creek Road from Rosea Carpark, rather than the link track from the Mt Rosea Walking Track.
Similar experiences
Reeds Lookout
Great views overlooking the Victoria Valley. Follow the path around the gate and along the sealed road to the summit of Reeds Lookout. From this magnificent lookout you will receive breathtaking views over Victoria Valley, Victoria Range, Serra Range,
Flinders Peak Lookout
Starting from the Turntable car park, this walk takes you to the highest point of the You Yangs. This is a challenging walk featuring 450 steps and rising 200m in elevation.
The Horn
Enjoy a picnic with a view at The Horn before climbing to the highest point in Mount Buffalo National Park and surveying the folded mountains of the Great Dividing Range stretching into the distance.
