General News
22 January, 2026
Grampians access update as recovery works continue
REPAIR works have begun on Mount William Road, marking another step in the long recovery of the Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park following the bushfires that swept through large parts of the landscape during the summer of 2024–25. Parks Victoria confirmed works commenced on January 5, with a number of nearby walking tracks and visitor areas remaining closed while recovery and safety works continue.
The Mount William (Duwul) Summit Walk from the Mount William carpark remains closed, along with the Boundary Gap Walk between Kalymna Campground and Mount William, the Sheep Hills Track, and the Major Mitchell Plateau Circuit Hike from the Sheep Hills carpark.
Visitors are being urged to check conditions before travelling, and to plan trips around the many areas of the park that are now safely open.
The Grampians suffered extensive fire damage across southern, western and central sections during the 2024–25 fire season.
Since then, a staged reopening has been underway, allowing access to many of the park’s most popular sites while damaged areas recover and infrastructure is repaired.
According to Parks Victoria’s latest park update, issued on December 29, many day-use areas, walking tracks and campgrounds are now open across the Northern, Central and Southern Grampians, including several destinations heavily used by both locals and visitors.
In the Northern Grampians, open sites include Hollow Mountain (Wudjub Guyun), the Gulgurn Manja and Ngamadjidj rock art shelters, Golton Gorge, Beehive Falls, Briggs Bluff, MacKenzie Falls River and Fish Falls, Mt Difficult (Gar), Heatherlie Quarry and Zumsteins Picnic Ground.
Mount Zero remains accessible, although the Mount Zero Carpark and Mura Mura Grampians Peaks Trail trailhead are currently operating under changed conditions due to ongoing upgrades.
There is no day parking available at the trailhead, with visitors instead encouraged to use Stapylton Campground and allow extra walking time.
Across the Central Grampians, Wonderland Range and Halls Gap area, popular walks such as Chatauqua Peak (Bim), Clematis Falls, Bullaces Glen, Venus Baths, the Pinnacle Lookout from Wonderland carpark, the Wonderland Loop, Grand Canyon Loop and Wonderland Forest Loop are all open.
A partial reopening of tracks from the Sundial Car Park has also occurred, with the Lakeview Lookout Loop and Pinnacle Lookout from Sundial now accessible. Other open sites include Mount Rosea, the Tunnel Track and Terraces Fireline, Boronia Peak, Fyans Creek (Barri Yalug), Silverband Falls, Boroka and Reed Lookouts, the Balconies walk, MacKenzie Falls, Broken Falls and Wartook Lookout.
In the south-eastern and western Grampians, visitors can access Mt Sturgeon (Wurgarri), Piccaninny (Bainggug), Mt Abrupt (Mud-dadjug), Signal Peak, Kalymna Falls, Teddy Bear Gap Loop, Burrong Falls, the Manja Art Shelter and Red Rock Picnic Area.
Vehicle-based camping has also resumed at a number of locations, including Smiths Mill and Stony Creek Group Campground in the central Grampians, Troopers Creek, Stapylton, Coppermine 4WD Campground and Plantation State Forest area in the north, Borough Huts, Jimmy Creek, Wannon Crossing and Kalymna Campground in the south-east, and Buandik and Strachans campgrounds in the south-west.
The Grampians Peaks Trail is now fully open, although restrictions remain in place. Central and southern sections are open for day walks only, with hike-in campgrounds remaining closed and bush camping not permitted along the trail.
Despite the progress, several areas remain closed due to fire impacts, flood damage and ongoing safety concerns. These include Sundial Peak and Viewpoint Lookout, Mount William Summit, the Major Mitchell Plateau, parts of Kalymna including Boundary Gap and First Wannon Campground, Sheep Hills, Mafeking Picnic Area, Brownings Loop historic walk, Chimney Pots, Fortress and Hut Creek walks, Billimina Rock Art Shelter, Red Gum Walk, Boreang Campground and Paddy’s Castle.
Some designated rock-climbing and bouldering areas also remain closed, particularly within the Mt William and Halls Gap sectors.
Parks Victoria has reminded visitors that while much of the park is now open, the landscape remains fragile.
Fire-affected vegetation, damaged trees, soft ground, hidden holes and the risk of flash flooding after heavy rain all present ongoing hazards. Visitors are encouraged to stay on designated tracks, follow signage, and leave no trace.
For the latest information, visitors can speak with staff at Brambuk the National Park and Cultural Centre in Halls Gap, which is open daily from 9am to 4pm, call Parks Victoria on 13 1963, or check updates online at parks.vic.gov.au.
Read More: Halls Gap