Grampians Peaks Trail - Which 3 day walk?

[Dexter]

Some friends are keen on doing a 3 day hike on the GPT. I've decided to put aside my annoyance with the fees and way it's all been handled and hand over my $94 for two nights camping.

Having said that... what would be your recommendation selecting one of the various 3 day walks they have on offer?

Overview of all 3 day walks.
https://www.parks.vic.gov.au/places-to- ... -day-hikes

These are the options...
https://www.parks.vic.gov.au/places-to- ... 3-day-hike
https://www.parks.vic.gov.au/places-to- ... 3-day-hike
https://www.parks.vic.gov.au/places-to- ... 3-day-hike
https://www.parks.vic.gov.au/places-to- ... 3-day-hike
https://www.parks.vic.gov.au/places-to- ... 3-day-hike

Cheers!
Gav.

[ggorgeman]

I haven’t opened the links to your options but my recommendation is starting at the (new) Troopers Creek trailedhead and do Gar (including walk to Mt Difficult summit) then Werdug then finish in Halls Gap. Stunning country up there.

[Dexter]

Cheers for that. Yeah I was leaning towards one that finished at halls gap. We could grab some accommodation there and have a relaxing half a day and night there before heading home.

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[CraigVIC]

I would say don't do Bugiga/Bari as it is the busiest, least "remote" section. Save the Wonderland for daywalking some other time. ggorgeman is right about the north but also consider the MM Plateau section. I would say it is more demanding walking (there is some scrambling through the seven dials) but once you get up top all will be forgotten/forgiven.

[Dexter]

I would say don't do Bugiga/Bari as it is the busiest, least "remote" section. Save the Wonderland for daywalking some other time. ggorgeman is right about the north but also consider the MM Plateau section. I would say it is more demanding walking (there is some scrambling through the seven dials) but once you get up top all will be forgotten/forgiven.

Excellent. Thanks for that. I'll try and book one of those two. Any idea how far out you need to book? Friends were hoping to go in March.

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[peregrinator]

BoM Mt William weather data 31 March 2022:

Min temperature 3.5. Max temperature 8.0.
Max wind gust 91 km/h. Direction S.
Relative humidity 95%.

[Eremophila]

I haven’t opened the links to your options but my recommendation is starting at the (new) Troopers Creek trailedhead and do Gar (including walk to Mt Difficult summit) then Werdug then finish in Halls Gap. Stunning country up there.

Is Troopers Creek trailhead the same as Gar trailhead? Do you know if there is any water between there and the Mt Difficult Road crossing, just before Werdug?

I phoned Brambuk at lunchtime today to order the maps, got a recorded promo message to start, then put on auto hold, then a weird kind of voicemail setup. I've left a message but I guess they are pretty busy this time of year to say the least.

I thought our local visitor info centre (Warrnambool) might have stocked the maps, as they have the one for the Great Ocean Walk, or at least they used to. But the person I spoke to had no concept of a map for Grampians Peaks Trail.....

[CraigVIC]

Troopers and Gar trailheads are a short distance from each other on Roses Gap road. Troopers is also a car based campground while Gar is just a carpark for hikers. Both have a water tank. On the track you may find water if there has been a lot of rain but the tank at Gar will be the most reliable source.

[Eremophila]

Thanks! The web page for this 3-day walk doesn’t show a tank at Gar campground , and the “water information and availability” page seems to only list serviced tanks, doesn’t mention Gar campground either.

Still waiting for my call back.

[Plod]

Definitely a tank at Gar campground, can see it next to the hut/shelter in the pic. Can’t vouch for current water level though.


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[CraigVIC]

If you were to find the Gar camp tank empty you can drop off the gpt to longpoint east/west where you will find another tank at longpoint west and also the headwaters of MacKenzie river.

Current Facebook reports say to the Gar tank has plenty of water.

[paidal_chalne_vala]

Enjoy your walk but generally IMHO The Grampians are too hot in summer. All that exposed rock just absorbs heat and radiates it back at you.

[Dexter]

Ahh was hoping to go in March. Still need to get onto it, I reckon it would book out fast. Would it be better to go around April?

[paidal_chalne_vala]

Some of my best walking experiences in the Grampians have been in late April, May and June.
Pick a good weather window and you could get cool sunny clear days that are ideal for walking up and down hills.

[Eremophila]

If you were to find the Gar camp tank empty you can drop off the gpt to longpoint east/west where you will find another tank at longpoint west and also the headwaters of MacKenzie river.
Current Facebook reports say to the Gar tank has plenty of water.

Thanks, I’m going in the week after Easter and it’s booking up fast.

What’s the FB page you’re looking at?

[CraigVIC]

https://www.facebook.com/groups/3206680 ... ?ref=share

One of the commercial guides is pretty active in the group with water info etc.

[Biggles]

Ahh was hoping to go in March. Still need to get onto it, I reckon it would book out fast. Would it be better to go around April?

Grampians truly swarms with people in April, very especially more still making the most of the usual last sunny and (hopefully!) warm days before the autumn break and cooler weather and shorter hours. I have avoided going there for years during main holiday periods — Christmas/New Year, Australia Day, Labour Day and esp. Easter. School holidays in Vic. don't finish until Fri. 21st April, so that means people looking at the GPT walk will have company. Lots of it.

[Eremophila]

Yes it will be busy. My co-walker on this occasion is a teacher, single parent with small children, so unavoidable for her.

Late May/early June is great up there - better wildflowers then than in spring.

[paidal_chalne_vala]

Early June can be amazing and not busy up at Mt. Rosea, The Fortress etc..