Stay: 3 nights at Plantation Campground at the foot of the Mount Difficult Range, close to Halls Gap and The Grampians National Park GPS -37.059483, 142.514454
Visited: The Grampians National Park
It was once again time for a short getaway before the busy festive season (especially to put the lights up for the 1st of December). Also joining us were our friends Ray and Dawn. The drive through the city was a little slow and we experienced all sorts of weather along the way. We had a pit stop in Beaufort but missed out on the yummy pies at the bakery so contented ourselves with a coffee scroll. In Ararat we chose to approach Halls Gap via Moyston (instead of Stawell) which proved to be very picturesque.
Just out of Halls Gap we took a reasonable gravel road to Plantation Campground. There were a fair few campers around but we managed to get Camp Area E all to ourselves.
The next morning we went to gather some wood so we could keep warm and cook our roast dinner too.
These amazing flower spikes of the Grass Tree are often stimulated to grow after fires.
Cheers! Always enjoy a drink around the fire...
and cooking marshmellows for desert!
Not many camps have the advantage a bush shower. Just fill with hot water and enjoy!
Having visited the National Park on previous occasions and due to the weather being unstable, we decided to concentrate on a few short walks. We began the day driving out 23km and did a 2km walk to Mackenzie Falls lookout. It is one of the largest waterfalls in Victoria and the most spectacular in the National Park.
We then back tracked to Reed Lookout where we walked another 2km to The Balconies It was lovely as there were plenty of spring flowers blooming.
The area has plenty of interesting rock formations. Lake Wartook is in the background.
The Balconies 9Jaws of Death) got its name from the unique rock formations that stick out of the mountain. There was panoramic views over the Victoria Valley and the surrounding ranges.
We turned off Mt Victory Road and drove another 5km to Boroka Lookout. From here we had views of the Wonderland, Mt William Ranges, Fyans Valley, Halls Gap and Lake Bellfield.
By now the tummies were rumbling, so we made our way back to camp and kept warm around the fire. The next day the sun was shining as we walked 2.5km exploring Heatherlie Quarry at the base of Mt Difficult Range. We parked out on the road as the carpark was too small.
During the late 19th century large amounts of high quality freestone were carved from the mountain. There were signs explaining the history of the quarry in amongst the weathered rock faces, abandoned stone huts and long disused machinery.
An adult male Gang-gang cockatoo.
And so came the end of our brief but always lovely time in the Grampians…
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