LOVE A GETAWAY
HOME ON THE RANGE - THE GRAMPIANS
Australia’s iconic mountain range – is an easy three hour road trip west of Melbourne towards Adelaide. Historic Route 222 on the eastern side of the region links the historic Victorian townships of Ararat, Pomonal, Moyston and Halls Gap.
Nestled into the eastern side of the Grampians ranges is Halls Gap with a population of 500 but it would be the size of a capital city if you counted the eastern grey kangaroos, rosellas and cockatoos. The main street has shops featuring many local products on one side and mountains on the other side, towering over a playground and botanic garden. You can find everything you need at the friendly visitor’s centre in the centre of town.
A drive up the mountain on historic Route 222 brings you to “Zumsteins” and to one of Victoria’s largest waterfalls, MacKenzie Falls flowing all year round. It’s relatively easy to view from its carpark, down 260 steps. The payof is a 30m high and 15m wide view of stunning water falling over clif rocks. You’ll be impressed with the beauty and with yourself after your climb back up. A view of Broken Falls (upstream) is accessible from the same climb and you can follow the MacKenzie River trail downstream to Fish Falls – an easy to moderate hike. Wear your runners and bring a jacket because it can get quite windy!
Anyone interested in trying abseiling or rock climbing, or needing a pair of hiking shoes, will love Absolute Outdoors on the main road in Halls Gap.
IMAGES: Courtesy of Visit Victoria
Drive down the hill to the gelateria or ice creamery on the main road, to reward yourself for your climb. It’s always the right weather for treats when on a holiday or weekend away.
For lunch or dinner, I loved the menu and modern vibe at micro-brewery, Paper Scissors Rock Brew Co. and being winter, I sampled a comforting curry at the local Indian eatery Spirit of Punjab.
The famous Highway Route 222 links you to the three neighbouring towns to the south – Pomonal, Moyston and then Ararat, the famous gold town. These are all within 15 minutes of each other and the route offers plenty of activities. Starting near Halls Gap, there’s group paintballing and a zoo that is home to 160 species and offers personal encounters with lizards, a rhino, a giraffe and more!
If you’re meeting the cheetah, you might want to stop next door at picturesque Fallen Giants Winery for some liquid courage while the kids use their playground. Continuing south, stop at the charming, vintage-styled Five Ducks Farm for the area’s famous jams, relishes and ice cream, Friday through Sunday.
Six minutes further along the highway in Pomonal, I had a good meal at music-themed Barney’s Bar & Bistro. I’m still wondering how their Bogan Bash went off, how fun!
The Pomonal General Store is excellent for locally made souvenirs. Around the corner is three-time Business Of the Year Award winner, Pomonal Estates. Enjoy the family-run hospitality, award winning riesling and food at the fireplace. The owner Pep has a bright, fun smile to match her character. She, followed by Barney’s was the first to open their kitchens for free during the devastating bushfires in February. You can support local fire recovery yourself.
Detour north to Blue Moon Alpaca and Organic Farm for the softest scarf you’ll ever own, made on their looms. Then south again to watch master glass-blower, James McMurtrie.
At the foundation home of AFL, the lovely town of Moyston has the iconic General Store up for sale. A great place for some yummy local produce and possibly a new country home for me!
One evening, catch a sunset at One Tree Hill Lookout in Ararat for breathtaking 360-degree views! Most restaurants are conveniently along the route. Ararat Hotel Cafe Bistro cooked up a fantastic salmon and Sicilians Bar & Restaurant is recommended for Italian food.
There are a number of museums in Ararat. Langi Morgala Museum is great for local history but the creepy J Ward, Ararat’s Old Gaol and Lunatic Asylum might finish you for the day – or night.
The perfect central accommodation for road-trippers is the YHA Eco Grampians at Halls Gap. It’s in a lovely bush setting. They offer clean family rooms, private rooms or shared rooms, with kitchens, lounges, open fireplaces and a BBQ area. There’s free entertainment including trivia nights, live bands and yoga. The dining room has floor to ceiling windows where Brooce the resident roo stares meaningfully in at your muesli.
Along the 50km Highway 222 at the base of the Grampians, I was treated like the first tourist the locals had ever met. After the bushfire catastrophe, the local businesses need people to return. Anyone want to buy that general store with me?
