Local’s guide: Halls Gap

Nudging up against the craggy Wonderland Range, Halls Gap is a sleepy little town. With stunning mountain, bush views and wildlife using the town as their own private garden - Halls Gap is the perfect base to immerse yourself in the natural Grampians experience.

With its multitude of accommodation, eateries and shopping, Halls Gap is the perfect place to stay when exploring the ancient mountain ranges, natural flora and fauna, waterways and waterfalls and stunning views of Victoria’s Grampian region.

Where to eat

Halls Gap is well-known for its abundance of wining and dining options. Call in at the home-style cafes, coffee shops and bakeries throughout the region. Or perhaps drop into The Vine in Ararat to try the extensive range of regional food and wine products, before visiting the Darriwill Farm Café with its accompanying provedore store. You can enjoy a stunning vineyard tour and discover the fine wines at the Halls Gap Estate or revel in a gourmet dining experience at Quarry Restaurant.

Where to play

Traverse the Grampians National Park on a relaxing walk, stopping at scenic lookouts and spotting native animals, or on a challenging hike along rocky escarpments, to ancient rock art sites and remote campsites. For a walk to remember, take the path up through the Grampians’ Grand Canyon to the sweeping views and unique rock formations of The Pinnacle. You could even scale the face of rock-climbing and abseiling haven, Mt Arapiles. Deviate from the beaten track by four-wheel drive in the Grampians National Park, and see a carpet of springtime wildflowers among the hundreds of kilometres of sandy tracks on a safari through Little Desert National Park.  You could even combine a kayaking or canoeing adventure at remote mountain lakes and rivers with a camping expedition or a biking adventure. Bring your mountain bike or hire one locally to explore the region as the wide streets of the regional centres are ideal for a casual cycle. Prefer to take to the skies? Get a bird's-eye view of the spectacular scenery on a gliding experience from the Ararat airfield.

While adventure enthusiasts from all over the world come for the abseiling, rock climbing and mountain biking, you don’t need to be an adrenaline junkie – you’ll find an activity to suit you and your holiday aspirations. While bushwalking and sightseeing are Grampians staples, there is so much more to do while you’re staying in Halls Gap. For a fantastic family day visit the Halls Gap Zoo. Its home to more than 160 native and exotic animals. Or why not head to Grampians Adventure Golf and get ready for some friendly competition. The 18-hole mini golf course sprawls across two acres and features two mini mountains, lush gardens and six waterfalls and streams to putt around. If you’re a shopper, you can browse the retail stores, galleries and local craft and farmers’ markets. Or you could learn about the region’s Aboriginal history by dropping into the Brambuk National Park and Cultural Centre.

Where to stay

Located amid majestic mountain ranges, rolling farmlands and native bushland – NRMA Halls Gap Holiday Park is the perfect base to explore the Grampians National Park, or simply sit back and soak up the serenity of the spectacular rugged scenery. Boasting an extensive range of accommodation types to choose from including, self-contained one, two and three-bedroom apartment and cabin options, each with spectacular mountain views. If you’re camping or caravanning, the park has a range of grass and concreate options available from deluxe ensuite, to ensuite, powered and unpowered sites. Guests have access to a range of facilities in park including a heated swimming pool, bouncing pillow, tennis and beach volleyball court, recreation room and kiosk. Plus, during peak season period’s guests can enjoy additional activities such as an outdoor cinema and abseiling.