Adventurers have been coming to the Grampians since the mid 19th Century to experience the wilderness. Today’s experiences still relate extensively to the rugged landscapes of the several National Parks and to the extensive network of bush land reserves. Marked bushwalking trails wind across escarpments of the Grampians National Park, offering hundreds of kilometres of interlinked and complementary experiences. Deep, shaded, fern-filled gorges, seasonal streams tumbling off the rock faces, plunge pools below and spectacular peaks in every direction. In other parks and reserves, trails lead to sandstone shelters, ancient, publiclyaccessible rock art sites and remote campsites.

World-class rock climbing is synonymous with Mount Arapiles, near Natimuk, and on some of the rock-faces of the Grampians National Park. More than 2,000 separate climbs are documented in an Arapiles handbook, pitched at either the novice or the experienced climber. There are outdoor adventure companies that can teach you the ropes. Mountain biking is suited to the region’s narrow bush trails. Bring your own bike or hire one locally.

Mountain lakes and rivers also offer adventure of a different kind such as kayaking or canoeing at remote, scenic locations that can be combined with a camping, or maybe a biking adventure. Recent good rains brought life again to the Wimmera River and its tree-lined banks mark its meandering passage across the flat plains. Four wheel drive adventures along the hundreds of kilometres of sandy tracks of the Little Desert National Park are popular with the Springtime wildflowers offering a bonus for the adventurous four wheel drive safaris. Gliding from the Ararat airfield offers a bird’s eye view of the spectacular scenery, while paragliding at Trawalla is also on the adventurer’s menu. A note of caution is to always be well prepared and equipped and know your limitations.

(Source: Tourism Victoria)