The entire 164km trail is walkable again for the first time since the 2024–25 season.
The Grampians Peaks Trail has fully reopened to hikers, marking the most significant milestone yet in the recovery of Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park following the devastating 2024–25 bushfire season.
Five hike-in campgrounds – Barri Yalug, Duwul, Durd Durd, Yarram and Wannon – reopened this month, joining the previously restored Bugiga campground to complete the Grampians Peaks Trail (GPT)’s full 164-kilometre route from Mount Zero (Mura Mura) in the north to Dunkeld in the south. It’s the first time the entire trail has been accessible since the fires swept through more than 135,000 hectares of the national park.
The full trail takes 13 days to complete. (Credit: Tourism Australia/Visit Victoria)
Most of the trail had reopened by July last year, but the remoteness and scale of damage to the central and southern sections meant overnight hiking remained off-limits while extensive repair works were underway. In total, six hike-in campgrounds were damaged, and large sections of track required rebuilding.
Recovery efforts have been supported by $36 million in funding from the Victorian and Commonwealth Governments.
Large sections of track required rebuilding. (Credit: Tourism Australia/Visit Victoria)
Around 100 stone steps were installed to manage steeper gradients. (Credit: Tourism Australia/Visit Victoria)
Parks Victoria recovery project officer, Kyle Hewitt, described arriving at a trail that had effectively vanished. “The post-fire inspections of the track quickly identified large sections which no longer had the cut-vegetation corridors which once guided people on their journey – it was like the track had disappeared," he said.
Works included stabilising and redefining approximately 20 kilometres of track, and around 100 stone steps were also installed to manage steeper gradients in what Hewitt describes as a now “fragile environment."
Mt Sturgeon (Wurgarri) is the final mountain of the journey. (Credit: Parks Victoria)
Of the affected campgrounds that reopened, Barri Yalug and Duwul sustained the most damage, though Hewitt noted that none were completely destroyed. Works included new timber tent pads, replacement water tanks and tank-landings, new windows at the Yarram shelter, and repairs to solar power systems. The remoteness of some sites required two helicopter sling-load operations to transport materials in and remove debris, while the Yarram shelter’s window height demanded professionally erected scaffolding reaching seven metres.
Nature, too, has been doing its own repairs. “There are lots of epicormic shoots coming back, and some of the ground cover has returned," Hewitt said – though shade remains scarce in the hardest-hit areas around Barri Yalug and Duwul.
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Emily Murphy is Australian Traveller's Email & Social Editor, and in her 4+ years at the company she has been instrumental in shaping its social media and email presence, and crafting compelling narratives that inspire others to explore Australia's vast landscapes. Her previous role was a journalist at Prime Creative Media and before that she was freelancing in publishing, content creation and digital marketing. When she's not creating scroll-stopping travel content, Em is a devoted 'bun mum' and enjoys spending her spare time by the sea, reading, binge-watching a good TV show and exploring Sydney's vibrant dining scene. Next on her Aussie travel wish list? South Australia and The Kimberley.
From pink salt landscapes to oases fringed by forests of red gums, the lakes of this rural region are astounding.
You’re going to find peace and quiet when you take a road trip through the lakes of the Wimmera Mallee region. Whether it’s mirror-like pink salt lakes that look like an inland sea, or lakes fringed by forests of red gums that showcase Victoria’s arid beauty, there’s a lake for you out here somewhere.
1. Lake Tyrrell
The colours of Lake Tyrrell blend into the sky. (Image: Visit Victoria/Anne Morely)
Located in the dead heart of the Mallee, Victoria’s largest salt lake, Lake Tyrrell, is a landscape photographer’s dream – especially at sunrise and sunset when the pink salt flats look like a gigantic mirror. It’s easy to camp or park a caravan nearby, too, though the tiny town of Sea Lake is just south (with accommodation). In winter, shallow water covers the salt, creating surreal reflections of the sky.
2. Nhill Lake
There’s a permanent water source here, so there’s always plenty of water for water skiing, swimming and fishing (the trout and redfin fishing here is legendary). Located beside the pretty heritage town of Nhill with its main street of historic buildings, there’s options for eating and drinking right next door. There’s also a barbecue area with plenty of shady picnic spots and a boardwalk for walking around the lake.
3. Lake Bringalbert
Lake Bringalert is a great spot for aquatic adventures.
Located south-west of the pretty Mallee town of Kaniva, Lake Bringalbert epitomises the best of ‘outback’ Victoria. It’s ringed by red gums and red mallee and feels completely hidden from the world – you’ll barely ever see another person. There’s basic camping on its foreshore and Kaniva offers more accommodation options. It’s the perfect lake for swimming, kayaking and skiing, and the stars at night come without even a hint of city glow.
4. Lake Hindmarsh
If you’re a bird fan, you’ll love Lake Hindmarsh. Located north of Dimboola, Victoria’s largest natural freshwater lake is like an inland sea full of pelicans, swans and numerous species of ducks – but it also teems with everything from spoonbills to parrots. Sunsets here will blow your mind – the lake is a mirror for the pinks and golds you’ll see on the horizon. There’s free camping spots along the foreshore if you’d like to really contemplate the magic of the lake.
5. Pink Lake
The Pink Lake is most vivid after rain. (Image: Visit Victoria/Anne Morely)
Also known as Loch Lel, the summer months offer up some seriously vivid pink water colour at this lake north of Dimboola. The pink varies throughout the year, but is best after rain (hence why summer is the time to visit).
Pink Lake, also known as Loch Lel, is located near Dimboola in the Grampians. (Image: Tourism Australia)
There’s plenty of birds, including wedge-tailed eagles, but you’re as likely to spot big lace monitors, kangaroos and echidnas. Nearby, check out the uber-cute heritage town of Dimboola and its eclectic shops, and Little Desert National Park, full of walking trails through mallee heathland.
6. Lake Lascelles
You can camp at Lake Lascelles.
On a hot summer’s day, there’s nowhere better for a cooling dip, kayak or boat ride. You can camp by the lake, or at powered caravan sites – or the pretty town of Hopetoun offers numerous accommodation options a short walk away. At night you’ll see the lights of Hopetoun reflect off the lake. Fish for yellow belly, redfin or catfish, or try water-skiing. There’s also a great walking trail around the lake, where there’s more birds than you can count.
Grampians Peaks Trail fully reopens for the first time since 2024 fires
