Australia's Grampians Trail Fully Reopens
The entire 160-kilometer Grampians Peaks Trail in Victoria, Australia is now fully open after fire-related closures. Park authorities improved signage and safety during restoration, making this bucket-list wilderness trek with rugged terrain and mountain vistas prime for international hiking adventures. The timing couldn't be better for planning your next big hiking challenge.
The Grampians Peaks Trail is a project with a long history, officially opening in November 2021 after years of planning and construction. The trail was a significant undertaking, connecting existing tracks and creating new ones to form a continuous 160-kilometer route. The development also included the construction of 11 unique hike-in campgrounds with amenities like water tanks and shelters. The trail traverses the Gariwerd Aboriginal cultural landscape, a place of deep and continuing significance to the Djab Wurrung and Jardwadjali peoples. Traditional Owners, including the Barengi Gadjin Land Council, Eastern Maar Aboriginal Corporation, and Gunditj Mirring Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation, collaborated with Parks Victoria on the trail's alignment and the sharing of cultural stories to promote awareness and respect for the area. During the summer of 2024-2025, devastating bushfires swept through the Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park, burning over 135,000 hectares. The fires caused significant damage to the Grampians Peaks Trail, particularly impacting the central and southern sections and forcing the closure of six hike-in campgrounds. The recovery effort was extensive, with crews undertaking stabilization and definition work on approximately 20 kilometers of the track that had virtually disappeared. The restoration included the installation of around 100 stone steps in fragile, steep areas and the replacement of over 600 yellow wayfinding triangles to clearly mark the path. Six hike-in campgrounds—Barri Yalug, Duwul, Durd Durd, Yarram, Wannon, and Bugiga—were damaged in the fires. Repair work involved replacing timber tent pads, water tanks, and plumbing. Due to the remote locations of some camps, helicopters were used to sling-load new materials in and remove burnt materials. The trail is known for its challenging, rugged terrain, with most of it classified as Grade 4, suitable for experienced bushwalkers. It traverses a variety of landscapes, from rocky peaks and ridgelines to ferny gullies and waterfalls, offering consistent panoramic views. The construction itself was a feat of engineering, with some sections built without heavy machinery to preserve the natural environment. By 2025, it is anticipated that 34,000 walkers will use the trail annually, generating an estimated $6.39 million in economic benefits for the region. The trail is designed to be experienced in various ways, from the full 13-day journey to shorter multi-day hikes and day walks, catering to a range of hiking abilities.
