Grade 4
Grampians National Park is part of the Gariwerd Aboriginal cultural landscape. Parks Victoria respects the deep and continuing connection that Traditional Owners have to these lands and waters, and we recognise their ongoing role in caring for Country.
Along the Gar and Werdug 3-day hike, you'll witness seasonal waterfalls, mountain summits and clifftop camping. The track is an overall Grade 4 walk with steep terrain, suitable for fit and experienced hikers.
Itinerary highlights
This section of the trail is particularly spectacular in winter, spring and after rain, when clifftop rockpools and seasonal waterfalls are at their best. Gar (meaning "big mountain") is the highest on the western side of the range, rewarding walkers with spectacular 360-degree views. Lake Wartook Lookout, at 829m, is one of the highest points on the eastern side of the Mount Difficult Range with sweeping 360-degree views of Gariwerd.
Water safety
For your safety, having enough water along the Grampians Peaks Trail for hydration and cooking is so important. Our water information and availability page includes the locations (with latitude and longitude references) of serviced water tanks. All water tanks along the trail are untreated. So you need a safe way to treat water for drinking.
When planning this incredible hike, read the important Grampians Peaks Trail Plan and Prepare Guide.
Day one: (N2) Gar Trailhead (Roses Gap Road) to Gar Hike-in Campground (7.3 kilometres)
Begin your journey at the Gar Trailhead (Roses Gap Road; N2 on GPT topographic map). Along the 7.3-kilometre rugged, rocky adventure you'll experience steep climbs and panoramic views including the seasonal waterfalls of Gar. As the trail zig zags upwards, uninterrupted views to the north are revealed. You will climb through stunted eucalypt forest, past boulders and over rocky slabs on the edge of the Mount Difficult escarpment taking in views over nearby mountains, Wartook Valley, Asses Ears and the Black Range (Burrunj). Arrive at the Gar Hike-in Campground, perched on a spectacular cliff top high above the valley below. You'll be spending the night camped along the rocky terrace, perfect for watching the sunset.
Day two: (N3) Gar Hike-in Campground to Werdug Hike-in Campground (14.1 kilometres)
From the hike-in campground, take a side trip to the rocky summit of Mount Difficult (Gar). Enjoy the sunrise before traversing south towards Lake Wartook along rocky ridgelines. The trail rises and falls over highpoints and through mountain saddles, before finishing on a high knoll at Werdug Hike-in Campground. The campground provides views over Lake Wartook and across the Mount Difficult Range.
Day three: (N4) Werdug Hike-in Campground to Halls Gap (13.0 kilometres)
Start with a steady climb to Lake Wartook Lookout for spectacular views and a morning tea break. Enjoy the sweeping views to the North, west and southern of Gariwerd. To the west is Lake Wartook with Bear Island in the middle, the western Mount Difficult Range, Asses Ears and the Black Range (Burrunj) in the far distance. To the south, Mount William (Duwul) dominates the skyline, curving from The Sentinel at the northern tip around to the highest mountains in the park - Redman Bluff and including Mount William (Duwul) and the Major Mitchell Plateau massif. The Grampians Peaks Trail crosses these high mountains in the Duwul and Durd Durd 3-day Hike. Leaving the Lake Wartook lookout, make the descent passing rocky outcrops through lower vegetation with the last views over the Mount Difficult Range. Leaving the dry and rocky northern Grampians and moving onto the wetter eastern slopes, the trail gently descends through a canopy dominated by Messmate and Brown Stringybark with an open understorey featuring ferns, grasses, wattles and tea trees. Take a short detour to Chatauqua Peak (Bim) before descending through tall forest, rich with birdlife and wildflowers, completing your journey in Halls Gap.
Bookings and itinerary information
This 3-day hiking itinerary connects with the Barigar overnight hike to the north, as well as other connecting tracks to allow you to step on and off from various points throughout Gariwerd. If you are planning on staying longer to do more sections of the walk, you can add other itineraries to your booking. The trailhead for this itinerary is signposted with temporary car parking at Troopers Creek Campground and you can also find its location in the official maps for Grampians Peaks Trail. You can find out how to get there via the map above. All itineraries require a car shuffle from start to finish. If you only have one vehicle, please visit Brambuk the National Park and Cultural Centre for other pick-up or walk options.
Camping fees
The trail itself is free to hikers but camping fees apply to stay overnight. This itinerary includes two nights at two different, dedicated campgrounds: first night at Gar Hike-in Campground and second night at Werdug Hike-in Campground. These are booked as an all-inclusive itinerary - all you need to do is choose the date of your first night to book. We recommend booking your 3-day hike well in advance of your planned departure to ensure there is tent pad availability at each campground.
The 3-day itinerary costs are:
$95.40 for up to two people on a 3.5m x 3.5m standard tent pad, or
$113.60 for up to three people on a large tent pad.
These hike-in campgrounds are in very remote locations, you're not near a busy road or carpark, so you feel the reward of being deep inside the national park. They have been built with a good level of amenity that is well designed, sympathetic to the landscape and sustainable. As such, they are priced higher for the value they provide. The price for a standard tent pad for a 3-day/2-night hike is roughly $47 per night ($24 p/person if sharing) in camping fees for these unique, well-equipped hike-in campgrounds. These fees contribute towards the operation and maintenance of this unique hiking experience and helps to protect the enviornmental values of this heritage-listed national park.
Campground information
Both campgrounds have 3.5m x 3.5m timber tent platforms with steel chains that can be used to secure your tent. Additional guy rope may be needed for tent vestibules or tunnel style tents. Each campground has been individually designed the fit within the surrounding landscape. They feature an unpowered communal area for meal preparation, basic toilet facilities and water collection points. Mobile phone service is not available within the Wartook Basin, but you may get some along ridgelines and high points and lower elevations. The use of fuel stoves in all hike-in campgrounds is permitted but open campfires are not allowed. Please take your rubbish with you on the entire journey and dispose of it when you return home or finish your walk.
How to get there
Gar and Werdug 3-day Hike
From Horsham/Wimmera River Bridge (53.5km, 25mins): Drive south-east on the Western Highway (A8) for 40.5km. Turn right onto Roses Gap Road and drive for 13km to Gar Trailhead.
From Halls Gap (36km, 40mins): Drive north on Grampians Tourist Road (C216) for 1.2km. Turn left onto Mt Zero Road (unsealed) and drive for 21km to Roses Gap Road. Turn left onto Roses Gap Road and drive for 3.8km to Gar Trailhead.
From Melbourne (270km, 3hrs and 15mins): Drive west on the Western Highway (A8) through Ararat and Stawell to Roses Gap Road. Turn left and follow Roses Gap Road for 13km to Gar Trailhead.
When you're there
Make Brambuk - The National Park and Cultural Centre in Halls Gap your first stop. Here you can explore what Gariwerd means to Aboriginal people and find information about visiting Grampians National Park.
Safety is your responsibility
- At lookouts, never climb over barriers. Your safety is more important than a social media post.
- There are steep cliffs in the park. Keep to the track, mind your footing and supervise children.
- Many walking tracks involve rock steps, uneven and slippery track surfaces, water crossings and rock hopping.
- Mobile phone service is unavailable in many areas of the park. Seek higher elevations for service.
- Plan your timing, return from walking well before dusk.
Emergency markers
In the event of an emergency, call Triple Zero 000 or 112 to access police and emergency services. Be aware that you may travel out of mobile phone range. Many of our parks feature emergency markers, which are special green signs with a unique code on them so emergency responders can pinpoint your exact location.
Need to know
Gar and Werdug 3-day Hike
Walking track grades
Hikes along the Grampians Peaks Trail have been graded using the Australian walking track grading system, which is a primary means of informing people about the features of walking tracks, so they can gauge their suitability for a particular track. Under the system, walking trails are graded on a difficulty scale from grades one to five.
Grade 1: No bushwalking experience required. Flat even surface with no steps or steep sections. Suitable for assisted wheelchair users.
Grade 2: No bushwalking experience required. A hardened or compacted surface which may have gentle hill sections or occasional steps.
Grade 3: Suitable for most ages and fitness levels. Tracks may have short steep sections, a rough surface and many steps.
Grade 4: Bushwalking experience recommended. Tracks may be long, rough and very steep. Directional signage may be limited.
Grade 5: Very experienced bushwalkers with specialised skills, including navigation and emergency first aid. Tracks likely to be very rough, very steep and unmarked.
Hiking tips for Grampians Peaks Trail
- An Official Grampians Peaks Trail topographic map (for North/Central/South) available from Brambuk the National Park and Cultural Centre, Halls Gap and other visitor outlets in nearby towns (and compass)
- Waterproof jacket and pants, thermal layers, breathable-fabric layers, beanie, sun hat and sunscreen.
- Hiking boots or shoes with a good tread and support.
- Water and food for all meals and snacks, plus extra for an emergency. Fuel stove for cooking.
- Drinking water treatment equipment for untreated water tanks at campground.
- 3-season tent, 3-season sleeping bag, mat and cord/thin rope to attach your tent to timber tent platforms.
- Lightweight gas or liquid fuel stove, matches/lighter, cooking pot and utensils.
- Head torch with spare batteries. Useful when moving around a campground at night.
- Good quality first aid kit with snake bite bandage.
- Mobile phone with USB cable – you can recharge at campgrounds along the trail. We also recommend taking a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) for extra safety and a small radio to listen to weather or bushfire updates.
- Toilet paper, trowel and a bag to carry your rubbish.
- Waterproof pack liner to keep everything in your hiking backpack dry.
Be bushfire aware
The warmer months are the perfect time to experience regional Victoria. However, Victoria is one of the most fire-prone areas in the world. During summer in Victoria, the weather can be very hot and dry and the risk of summer lightning storms can increase the chance of bushfires.
Follow these bushfire safety tips to ensure that your experience is safe and enjoyable.
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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Grampians National Park
Grampians Peaks Trail - Helicopter Air-Lift Operations
Helicopter Air-Lift Operations are scheduled along Grampians Peaks Trail at Barigar, Werdug, Barri Yalug and Mud-dadjug Hiker Camps, from Tuesday 30 May 2023 to Friday 2 June 2023Temporary walking track and road closures will be in place as staff work to remove toilet pods at Barigar, Werdug, Barri Yalug, Mud-dadjug Hiker Camps along the Grampians Peaks Trail. Please follow advice of signage and remain clear of closed areas. Staff will be on ground with hard closures while the operation is underway. This operation will only take place under favourable weather conditions.Temporary closures will be in place at:· Barigar, Werdug, Barri Yalug, Mud-dadjug Hiker Camps· Walking tracks and Management Vehicle tracks north and south of hike in campgrounds· Wartook, Werdug, Roses Gap, Mt William and Piccaninny Helipads· Piccaninny East CarparkFor further information, please visit Brambuk the National Park and Cultural Centre or call Parks Victoria on 13 1963Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park Road Updates 26.05.2023
Red Rock Road and Mitchell Road are closed until further notice.The following road and track closures are in place for roadworks until 2/6/2023.Syphon RoadRoses Creek RoadZumsteins Short CutLodge RoadWallaby Rocks TrackPhillip Island TrackRedman Road is closed for roadworks from Wednesday 31/5/2023 until further noticeSeasonal Road ClosuresSeasonal road closures are in place due to flood damage. They have been in place since November 2022. Seasonal roads will gradually reopen after repair works and final assessments are completed.
Please see the latest road report attachment for full road and track details at the end of this notice.Attachments: Grampians (Gariwerd) NP Road Report 26.05.2023 (191KB)
Watchtower (access trail) - Trail remediation and improvement works
The popular Watchtower designated climbing area located near Halls Gap in the Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park is undergoing trail remediation and improvement works.Works commenced on the base trail on Monday (22 May), with completion anticipated in early July 2023. These include the removal of old damaged and degraded timber steps, significant repairs to the existing stone access trail and construction of new stone steps and drains.