Grampians Peak Trail – Friends of Grampians Gariwerd

September 12, 2021

ADVISORY GROUP MEETING – JUNE 29, 2021 Peaks Trail and McKenzie Falls

Present: Eight AG members plus quite a few park staff in addition to the GPT staff. We went in mixed groups of AG members and staff in each car.

The morning was very cold, heavy mist. First stop was the group camp site on Stony Ck Rd which is still under construction but close to finished. We first looked at the platforms erected for the tent sites. Rather different to the ones I had seen at the Bugiga camp site. They have a new arrangement to assist in tying the tents down. Also a metal plate so a fuel stove is not on the wooden base. Next the outdoor sitting are with a long table and seats, designed to make removing them very difficult. Then we went on to the large group meeting spot. It has large perspex windows (we were told there is a good view from the end one but all we could see was grey cloud), tables, seats, a food preparation area, a solar powered battery so people can recharge their phones and 4 plug in spots. It is not intended as a place to sleep but it is inevitable that it will be used in wet weather. They talked about lessons they had learnt from mistakes with the first one at the Bugiga camp site (not far from the Mt Rosea car park), also how to make repairs and changes easier. Eg the perspex is in a few pieces rather than just one big sheet so that if initials get carved just that sheet can be replaced. There’s a pin up board for messages etc.

Next stop was Mckenzie Falls. We saw the new tower to enable Telstra connectivity. But it will only work close to the toilets, but a great improvement nevertheless. We discussed the pros and cons of having a cafe plus information kiosk. Pros: such a popular spot and can get info to users who won’t go into Brambuk; cons: people will stay longer and that means more parking spaces needed – how much forest should be cleared just so people can have a coffee? There is money available to spend here, but what on? We will have another meeting to discuss this.

Next stop was Troopers Ck campground where we ate lunch, inspected the toilets, discussed that although the tank is just rainwater it’s labelled “non-potable”. To be able to call it potable requires regular checks and tests which are just not worth it. From where we were we could see the next camp site way up above us and the helicopter going back and forth bringing in construction materials. Then we set off on the Gar waterfall walk, 2 ½ km each way. Beautiful waterfalls at the moment, and although there won’t be much water much of the year the wildflowers will be great. The GPT staff were noting our feedback and taking notes of where they have to improve the track to minimise damage, and which signs need work. They plan to use indigenous names for each camp site and feature.

Back where the cars were parked we continued the GPT discussion. The AG members from Laharum and Horsham commented that as the day walks on the GPT get better known there will be an increase to visitors to their end of the Park. We all agreed that is very likely. (Personally I find myself rather confused about the whole GPT thing. Conflicting opinions. This walk was so beautiful that I took my daughter on it the very next day, and I know there are other sections of the GPT I will explore. I do want people to appreciate what a beautiful park this is. At the same time I worry about too many visitors and the damage that may do to the environment, I worry about creeping commercialism of the GPT, I worry about the rest of the park suffering neglect and low budgets.) I asked about what was happening with the plan to have indigenous ranger tours of parts of the trail. Rhonda replied that the plan had changed somewhat, that rather than PV employing indigenous guides, a contract would be drawn up with an indigenous company. That way the money would go to locals rather than PV consolidated funds. The GPT is planned to open in Spring. So they are frantically busy.

Finally I also asked about the non GPT track in Wonderland. What was the situation with the closed section in Grand Canyon? The answer was that the ladder needs extensive and expensive repairs, in fact a completely new ladder. And when that will happen is unknown.

October 17, 2020October 17, 2020

Update On The Grampians Peaks Trail: August 5 2020

Rhonda arranged a presentation on the status of the Peaks Trail to both the Advisory Group and members of FOGGS. Due to the Covid restrictions most attended via Microsoft Teams, and only five of us sat in the Mural Room at HG, four from the AG (including me) and one other from FOGGS. On line were two FOGGIES and two AG members and a few more Melbourne Park staff. Prue Daley co-ordinated it but the presentation was from Koel Wrigley from head office in Melbourne. Rhonda was also with us at the start but could not stay due to urgent work commitments. Those of us in the room tended to keep our questions until later, whereas apparently some in the online group were asking questions from early on. However, unfortunately technical problems meant that those of us in the room at HG couldn’t see the questions that were coming in online, and so were somewhat confused at how they were dealt with.

Koel then proceeded with her talk also using a series of Powerpoint slides which I captured on my phone for this report. She started with giving us some background (Slides 1,2 & 3). It will be 160km long, can be done in sections or as a 13 day journey. It is part of a portfolio of 4 walks under the trademark of Walk Victoria’s Icons, and is intended to increase tourism to regional Victoria. This is something I had either forgotten or not completely taken in, and I think it is the reason it is so Melbourne driven. The budget is over $33 million and it is hoped it will be completed by December 2020.

We were given a map of the route (paper one for those in the room). You can see it and more photos and information online at
https://www.parks.vic.gov.au/projects/grampians-peaks-trail. The site has had a community update added after our meeting.

There will be 12 sections of track and 12 camps. To construct the camps clearing of vegetation, movement of rocks etc, installing some boardwalks and stairs are required. Some upgrades to existing access roads are needed. Signage of different kinds too.

So current activities (slide 4) include the track construction work and vegetation clearing, the campgrounds, two bridges in the southern end, stairways on the side of Mt Sturgeon, provision of drinking water both along the track and at campsites, negotiations with traditional owner groups, four local councils, Grampians Tourism DELWP, PV and Regional development Vic.

The next slide (5) was on the design drivers and the trail alignment. Koel talked about the many factors involved : environment, cultural, statutory, local community etc. She told us that the trail and the campgrounds were located to minimise impact by: maximise use of existing trails (over 35%), minimise size of campgrounds, avoid culturally important locations. Expertise of consultants, traditional owners, PV staff and local community has been listened to.

Next slide (6) was on Environmental management. We were told that they were minimising the environmental impact by avoiding sensitive ecological areas, use of boardwalks in some track areas and at the camps, responsible management of grey and black water, vegetation removal mainly by hand, careful management of PC threat. There was full statutory compliance with respect to the various legislation, planning permits, plus accurate recording of vegetation removal to meet DELWP procedures. This is where there was strong disagreement via online comments, particularly with respect to Mt Abrupt and Mt Sturgeon areas.

Koel then went on to more details of accounting for vegetation removal (Slide 7). The transfer of Dunkeld rifle range into the Park was part of this, so was the rehabilitation of disturbed areas at Mt Christabel, some track closures and funding of the sallow wattle programme. We were also told that the compensation for the vegetation removal will be across the state, not just the Grampians, which worried Wendy and me. We were told that there will be a full report on vegetation removal and offsets at the end of the project. They couldn’t give us figures for what has happened so far.

We then moved on to the Hike-In Campgrounds (Slides 8,9). We were assured that each of the 12 has been designed to sit discreetly in the environment and there has been extensive cultural heritage assessments. Each site will have: a main shelter or gathering space (except for the one at Durd Durd), separate toilet building, tent pads, boardwalks and tracks positioned to minimise environmental impact, 11 of them are for general use, one for groups, especially schools.

The next slide had more information on the huts (10). The Master Plan (when?) outlined the intention to provide some roofed accommodation to support a diversity of walkers on the trail. There will be 3 huts at 2 camps (Gar and Werdug), each will have 4 beds. The huts will be built and managed by PV and used by Licensed Tour Operators, including Barenji Gadjin Land Council it is hoped, (see questions later). They will be low impact, not suitable as fire refuges, easily removable (they can be helicoptered out if they don’t get used), sleeping only, no cooking or heating facilities. Where Barenji Gadjin act as tour operators they will be able to light a fire in a fireplace for some teaching about cultural practices, but not for cooking or warmth.

Next steps (Slide11): There will be updates in the community newsletter and online community sessions. A prospectus for Licensed tour operators will be released and information sessions for them held. Meanwhile work on tracks and campsites will continue.

So, further discussion, further questions.

I think we were all (AG & FOGGS) happy with using indigenous names for camps wherever possible. Quite a few of us had concerns that other licensed tour operators were going to be licensed whereas we had thought it would be just indigenous operators. In the past some LTOs had indulged in questionable practices like rock stacking. Will they use that fireplace? Some AG members were disappointed that the question of LTO’s and huts hadn’t come to the AG for discussion previously.

We had several concerns about the discussion on environmental management. I felt that the “tracks closed to compensate for the new tracks created” including the Bomjinna track closure was stretching the facts a bit, but in fact I was quite wrong. It was in the 2014 document. And is Peaks trail money actually going towards sallow wattle control? We have misgivings also about the compensation for vegetation removal being done across the state rather than just this park.

As I mentioned earlier, Catherine strongly felt that the track near Mt Abrupt was destroying old growth moss/lichen forest which is rarely seen in the Grampians landscape and which is impossible to restore or replace. She was also concerned that the Southern Grampians Shire council had succeeded in changing the location of the campsite after it had already been cleared, also concerned about the bulldozed road into Cassidy Gap campground. Tourism being seen as more important than the environment. Ross also was concerned about access for rescue personnel in this area as he had checked part of the track. He was reminded that he shouldn’t have gone into a closed track. Here I want to support him. It’s fair enough to close the track to people who just want to have a walk in the bush, but those who may have really useful feedback should be able to have a look. Indeed early on in the planning, we were invited to take a look. FOGGS were invited to comment on the Bugiga campground back in July 2015 and were accompanied by Mark Whyte from the HG office, the AG were taken to give feedback on whether the track was too close to a newly discovered art site more recently. Other groups of volunteer bushwalkers were also used early on to help decide the track route.
Other questions were on poor communication with the HG Botanic garden group and the HG Recreation Reserve about the track coming through HG, queries about the track crossing busy roads, and the really major one of the maintenance of the track in the future and the effect that will have on the GNP budget, which has been the theme of the AG since the very beginning.

So I do hope that Koel did not feel that she was under attack, our frustration is not with her, but that the need to make sure that this Park’s environment must be the absolute first priority. Tourism must always come second. There were plenty of fine words on some of the slides, but they need to be put into practice.

November 18, 2018

Grampians Peak Trail Interpretation Meeting

I represented FOGGS (and the HG Grampians Flora Botanic Garden) at a meeting on October 8. There were five from the consultants’ team and five of us: neighbours, artists and a (local) geologist. (There had been a separate meeting with tourism people).

The consultants have been asked to prepare an Interpretation and Signature Experiences Activation Plan for the Grampians Peaks Trail, with the aim of positioning the Grampians Peaks Trail as a world-class iconic walking experience, showcasing the beauty and majesty of the Grampians National Park’s natural and cultural landscapes. The consultants’ responsibility is to finalise a plan by early December. Others will then be employed to actually do it.

We were told that the Interpretation and Visitor Experience component will:

Leverage, consolidate and ‘re-package’ existing work including earlier interpretation plans;
Be reflective of contemporary, world-class interpretation and embrace best practice storytelling and a mix of powerful visual media such as digital, sculpture and furniture, to “engineer profound, destination-specific moments” that assist Parks Victoria in setting a new benchmark for interpreted walks;
Outline a limited number of clearly differentiated signature experiences, associated customer journeys and storytelling touchpoints and distinctively and compellingly describe the themes, key messages, stories, interpretive strategies and experiences that accompany each of them;
Ensure reference to the broader context of the Grampians National Park and provide solutions to cleverly connect ‘on GPT’ and ‘off GPT’ sections of track;
Be relevant to current and future target audiences and consider multi-lingual needs;
Integrate an authentic Aboriginal experience based on stories already approved by Traditional Owners and setting the foundation for the possible integration of additional stories.

There was much more consultant language about “supporting a world class visitor experience” and what they see their role is. What did our small group contribute? The consultants actually got an interesting conversation going. We talked about what the Grampians means to us, some born here, some long-time residents, one from overseas a couple of years ago. We discussed what we thought would be important elements of the walk experience, the unique geology, the flora, the indigenous and European history, the night sky.

The initial planning is for two experiences.

“The Edge of the Grampians”, from Dead Bullock creek to Halls Gap, 3 days, 2 nights. Emphasis on flora, fauna, geology, indigenous culture.
“The Southern Experience” from Griffith Picnic area to Dunkeld, also 3 days, 2 nights. Again flora, fauna, geology, indigenous culture plus some signage about the agrarian experience from Mt Abrupt.

Identify specific partnership opportunities for the ‘Edge of Gariwerd’ and Southern Grampians experiences across park staff, design, tourism, business, Indigenous and other local communities, to maximise consistent experience development and storytelling opportunities.

The aim is that quality interpretation leads to understanding, which leads to appreciation, which leads to wanting to see it protected.

I will be attending another meeting in December.

August 18, 2018August 18, 2018

Peaks Trail July Update

Traditional Owners are engaged with Parks Victoria through collaborative governance on the Grampians Peaks Trail. The full delivery of the project has been pushed out to 2020 as a result of a native title claim lodged on 27 May 2016 which extends across the entire Grampians National Park. To enable works to progress, and to ensure native title is maintained under section 238 of the Native Title Act 1993, an Integrated Land Use Agreement was signed by the State of Victoria with the claimants on 5 June 2018.

Construction of Stage Two is well underway and continues with upgrades to approximately 60 km of existing walking tracks that will form part of the trail. Stage Two will be complete in September this year.

Approvals for the new works – approximately 85-100 km of new walking tracks and 10 new hiker camps and one school camp – are nearly complete.

GPT Experiences

There will be a variety of experiences on offer including guiding hikes for day walkers, opportunities for school groups. These experiences offer:
?Greater accessibility and flexibility
? Range of options for all levels of walkers
? Variety of three day/two night walking experiences Family friendly opportunities
? An opportunity to explore the natural and cultural heritage of the Grampians National Park

Current Upgrades

Major Mitchell Plateau
The final section of the Major Mitchell Plateau walk from Mt William Summit to Jimmy Creek campground recently opened after upgrades. The walk now features more elevated boardwalk sections as well as specialised rock steps, flagstone paving, improved drainage and track resurfacing.

Mt Stapylton
Mt Stapylton and Mt Abrupt walking tracks continue to be upgraded with the addition of over 500 new hand-built rock steps, flagstone paving, new drainage, a retaining wall, removal of trip hazards and track resurfacing. The walking tracks remain open while works are being undertaken, and will be completed by the end of September.

Trail alignment and hiker camps
We’re currently working through different trail alignment options. Ongoing minor changes to overall distances between proposed hiker camp locations will continue to occur for the duration of the project as on ground scoping continues.

McGregor Coxall have partnered with Noxon Giffen to design the shelter and toilets for each hiker camp. Local and state bushwalking clubs have provided feedback on the current design which has all been largely positive.

Planning and permit approvals

The permit process is progressing for the removal of vegetation under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act with a Native Vegetation Counterbalance Offset Strategy pending.

Approvals have been received for:

Cultural Heritage Management Plan
Permission to remove vegetation under the Environmental, Biodiversity and Conservation Act
Local Govt Planning Permit from Northern Grampians Shire Council, Southern Grampians Shire Council and Ararat Rural City Council
Permission to establish a new walking track within the Major Mitchell remote natural area (National Park Act 1975)
Integrated land use agreement with the Gariwerd Native Title Clam Group

What’s next:

Parks Victoria will be in a planning phase until November to scope works for the new tracks

The permit for Mt Christabel building removal is still pending and work is anticipated to commence in spring when it is drier.

October 7, 2017

From Our Park Rangers

Ranger Tammy Schoo has sent us a detailed Grampians National Park Community Update and we have more from other staff. Thank you Tammy, Mike and Tracey. Our readers from afar really appreciate learning more about our great Park from those who work in it.

Update from Tammy:

With winter officially over and Spring (or Petyan) finally here, the Grampians National Park is starting to put on its annual wildflower show. Here’s a few finds from the Northern Grampians recently.

Flood recovery

Works were recently completed on the Stapylton and Asses Ears Flood Recovery Packages. Cultural heritage inspections and preservation works have been an important part of the process. After final inspections and gate removals, Asses Ears, along with a number of other roads in the north, will open mid-September.

This means that the only roads that will remain closed (pending further culvert and crossing works) are Redman and Mitchell roads and the annual seasonal closures (until Nov long weekend). Four Wheel Drive Victoria and local 4×4 clubs will be assisting with track clearing prior to these seasonal tracks reopening.

Fire Recovery

The Zumsteins cottage interpretation project is in progress with consultants undertaking background research to gather themes and local stories. Contractors removed a small amount of asbestos from the site which means repair and conservation works will start on ground at the beginning of October.

The Sallow Wattle management program continues in the northern Grampians with the assistance of contractors and volunteer school groups. We’ve seen a fantastic recovery of the Large Leaf Ray Flower in areas where the wattle has been removed.

Environment and Heritage Team

Heathland ‘small patch’ mosaic burning has continued along the Wannon River in the Southern Grampians this winter. Deakin University students are using images captured from the ‘supergrid’ of 170 cameras to monitor habitat and predators of the Long Nosed Potoroo and Southern Brown Bandicoot. It is hoped that over time the mosaic of small burns of varying age classes will support healthy populations that are protected from the impacts of fire in what is a very fiery landscape.

Parks Victoria, Monash University researchers and Traditional Owners met recently to establish a project to undertake a ‘palaeo-environmental’ reconstruction of vegetation and fire history of the Grampians landscape. This research will help inform bushfire history and human use of fire in the Grampians landscape.

Grampians Peaks Trail (GPT)

Spare a thought for the contractors who have been working in freezing conditions on the Major Mitchell Plateau recently. Battling through rain, sleet, sub-zero temperatures and snow falls, the team has moved over one kilometre of locally made steel boardwalk panels and other materials ready for installation over the coming months, as well as completing a huge amount of stone work.

Stage two track upgrades continue at Mt Sturgeon and Lake Wartook and further track upgrades will begin in Spring on the Flat Rock section to the Mt. Staplyton Summit, Mt Difficult Eastern escarpment, Chatauqua Peak near Halls Gap and Mt Abrupt track at Dunkeld.

Parks staff have been working with Gariwerd Traditional Owners to complete cultural heritage assessments along the GPT trail. These assessments have been searching for artefacts and scatter sites along with testing for pathogen spread of Phytophthora cinnamomi.

SPRING SCHOOL HOLIDAY PROGRAM

September is Biodiversity month – come join Park Rangers for some fun and educational Citizen Science activities in the Grampians National Park.

These holidays, Parks Victoria is running ‘BioQuests’ throughout our parks. For gamers that like nature, this activity is for you! Download ‘Questagame’ onto a smartphone, create an identity, join the Parks Victoria Junior Ranger Clan, grab your ’supplies’ and you’ll be on your way… searching for cool plants and animals. Go head to head with park rangers to find the most species in your area and go in the running to win all sorts of cool prizes!!

Did you know the Grampians National Park has its very own Earthwatch Institute Climate Watch Trail? As a citizen scientist you can help us monitor our local species, and the climate over time. The Venus Baths ClimateWatch Trail begins at the Halls Gap Botanic Gardens and makes its way along the Northern side of Stony Creek to Venus Baths. Prior to beginning the walk, visitors are encouraged to download the ClimateWatch app or print off a recording sheet. While on the walk visitors can record the species they see in the app or on the recording sheet. If using the app, the data can be submitted in real-time, and if using the paper-based recording sheet the data can be submitted after your walk on the ClimateWatch website.

To download the app, recording sheets or find out more information visit http://climatewatch.org.au/trails/grampians-national-park-venus-baths or you can join our Rangers on a guided Climate watch discovery walk. Visit Brambuk the National Park and Cultural Centre for further information, check our website or go to www.juniorrangers.com.au to book in for activities.

Getting out in nature is good for body mind and soul…Recently, in partnership with the Wimmera Regional Sports Authority, Friends of Grampians Gariwerd and Grampians Walking Track Support Group we reproduced the “Grampians All Abilities Walking Guide”. This time round, we have included detailed information on the all-terrain TrailRider and Volunteer Sherpa program in the park; there’s really clear maps and grade descriptions for a variety of accessible walking tracks, including those for prams.

Purchase your copy at Brambuk the National Park and Cultural Centre or download a digital version from our website.
Grampians Peak Trail

Tracey Milne

In her article Tammy said “Spare a thought for the contractors”. Tracey has sent us some photos which show just what it has been like.

She told us that the latest Grampians Peaks Trail Community Update will be available soon.

July 16, 2014October 5, 2019

Grampians Peak Trail – The FOGG Response

Friends Of the Grampians Gariwerd (FOGGs) support in principle the proposal for the Grampians Peaks Trail as set out in the Draft Master Plan and as presented recently at public meetings at Halls Gap, Wartook and Dunkeld.

However we do have concerns around the ‘On-walk hiker lodges’. In the document (page 40) it suggests that 3 lodges would be built along the trail initially, but that this could vary with “market forces”. Does this mean that there could later be pressure to build more lodges so this group of users can potentially do the whole walk using this type of accommodation? In some sections of the document one gets the impression that large sections of the trail will be able to be walked using this style of accommodation. With mega fires becoming a regular occurrence in Victoria and the Grampians having experienced 3 large scale fires in the past 8 years we are concerned about the risks of having such accommodation facilities within the park boundaries. We do appreciate that the restraints on construction imposed by the various Acts, the zones set out in the Grampians National Park Management Plan, and the bushfire overlays are clearly set out in sections 8.2 and 8.3. We note that there is a reference to “the existing management plan” and as this plan is due for review, we are concerned there could be pressure to weaken some of the zones to allow hiker lodges to be built in currently protected zones. We oppose any private development within the Park; not just for fire reasons, but for ecological and philosophic reasons: the Park is for the protection of the environment: people can enjoy the environment but not at the expense of that resource.

We support the views of the ‘Victorian Competition and Efficiency Commissions’ recent report which favours ‘the development of tourist ventures outside the boundaries of national parks’. We would like to see the trail aligned in such a way as to maximise the use of off park accommodation by licensed tourist operators and individual walkers using their own car shuffles and pickups. The maps on the current plan clearly show where hikers camps would be located and the possible sites for ‘on-walk hikers lodges’ but there is no indication of where off park tourist operators may be able to pick up and drop off hikers. As we favour off park accommodation over on-walk hiker lodges, we would like to make sure trail alignment allows for the type of access required to carry out such a business. We feel that private investment is more likely to come from tourist operators with off park accommodation than private investment in high risk on-walk lodges. We therefore want to make sure this type of business is properly planned for in the planning stages of this trail (in particular trail alignment with access to current roads and tracks).

On page 49 under ‘Servicing and Access’ it is suggested that servicing of lodges in remote locations could be done by helicopter. We would be concerned if this was to occur as use of aircraft in the Grampians for joy flights and tourist purposes has been opposed in the past. If on-walk lodges are constructed they must be able to be serviced by current roads or tracks in the park.

This draft says many good things about the need to protect the environment, and we appreciate the planned careful design of the trail and the hiker camps. We also appreciate that it recognises the important role of the Friends group and the VNPA. It would be a tragedy to let inappropriate commercial interests damage the good will surrounding the project.

Thank you Wendy for drafting our response, which was endorsed by the committee.

PS I am told that well over 100 responses have been received, with many of them echoing our concerns over commercial lodges within the Park. To quote from one passionate local “These Hiker lodges will require high service from the private operators, concurrently the private operators will expect high service from PV, if they do not get it they will whine to Grampians Tourism/Tourism Vic, then to politicians.

These lodges will only be profitable at a certain scale and tariffs, they will not generate any income for the park, even worse they will cost the park (PV) scarce staff time and money to service. Not to mention their impact on the environment and the remoteness/wilderness of the Grampians.

Parks Victoria spends too much time catering for tourists as it is – how many staff in PV – Halls Gap are there to promote/service tourists Vs. looking after the place!! (and minimising the tourist’s impact).

July 16, 2014October 5, 2019

Grampians Peak Trail – Project Update May 2014

The trail will be constructed over a number of years in a staged process. The track and hiker campsites form the basis of the core infrastructure necessary. To create the Trail will require the development of approximately 80km of new trail and the upgrade of 64km of existing trails.

Stage One: Halls Gap to Borough Huts

(3 days/2 nights)

Delivery of Stage One is well underway and includes a three day/two night loop walk from Halls Gap to Borough Huts covering a total of 19 kilometres for the return trip. This stage is being delivered by Parks Victoria through $1.3M in funding provided on behalf of the Victorian Government by Regional Development Victoria.

Stage One achievements to date:

An 8.7km track realignment from Mt Rosea to the Belfield Fire Line is complete;
Development of a design manual which sets a consistent style for tracks, bridges, signs and hiker camping areas across the whole trail;
Detailed planning for the new 24 people capacity hiker campsite at Mount Rosea and construction of a new footbridge over Fyans Creek;
Construction of a lookout platform at Mount Rosea;
The location of a group camp on Stony Creek road close to the Mount Rosea Hiker Camp has been determined; and
Desktop environmental risk assessment and cultural heritage management plan undertaken for the entire trail.

Stage One Works Remaining

Planning requirements relating to the application of a Bushfire Management Overlay at the Mount Rosea Hiker Camp site are being undertaken prior to any construction commencing.

Stage Two: Borough Huts to Mount William

The next stage of the project will be extending the trail 13 km from Borough Huts towards Mount William. Planning has yet to commence on this stage of the trail. Victorian Government funding of $1.2 million has been allocated to progress this segment.

The trail is being developed in accordance with the Grampians National Park Management Plan. Existing trails will be used where possible and any trail and associated infrastructure development will be planned to minimise disturbance of sensitive ecosystems, vegetation and fauna.

Fundamental to the preparation of the master plan is the conservation of the natural and cultural values of the Grampians, in accordance with the Grampians National Park Management Plan. Protecting this unique environment is integral to creating an exhilarating and sustainable walking experience. The master plan will consider the services and facilities required to support the long distance walk, including potential opportunities for suitable hiker accommodation within the park, as well as in areas outside the park boundaries. Opportunities for licensed tour operators to guide walkers will also be important.

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If you would like to register your interest in the Grampians Peaks Trail project, and to be kept informed about progress of the master plan, please email Parks Victoria at: