The Grampians

Cloud below me from Mt Rosea.
Campsite not too far away from Mt Rosea.
Campsite under an overhang near The Fortress on the western side of The Grampians National Park.
Climbing the Fortress late in the afternoon.
Dawn near Mt Rosea.
Early morning on a crag near Mt Rosea.
From the Grampians looking west.
Grampians at dawn.
Heading towards Mt Rosea in the afternoon.
A view of Lake Bellfield from The Pinnacle.
Looking south from Mt Rosea.
Mist on Lake Bellfield.
Mt Rosea ahead.
The view of the north from near The Pinnacle. Taken early before all the tourists have arrived.
A lovely vista on the way to Mt Rosea.
On the way to The Fortress and it's getting very late. I ended up doing the last hour with a headlamp in the pitch black dark.
Just a few minutes from the car park. The Grampians in the rain in winter.
Aboriginal rock art at Gunangidura Shelter in the western part of the park. I'm more used to seeing rock art in the desert where little moisture and rain means they are much better preserved.
Victoria Range on the western side of the national park. It doesn't seem to be as popular as the bit around Halls Gap. Which is a pity as it is easy walking and quite pretty. It also has a lot of aboriginal rock art.
The Fortress.
The Grand Canyon. A famous sight on the way up to The Pinnacle and a favourite with tourists.
The Pinnacle. Everyone's destination when they visit The Grampians.
Victoria Range from the road on the way.

I'm not sure what I should say about the Grampians. Every state in Australia has a tourist park. A national park that is very, very easy and civilised with cafes, accommodation and easily reached attractions. Every path is well made and sign posted with "nature walks" and signs to explain things. I'm not against this. There is money to be made out of day trippers and tourists and it helps pay the bills for the wilder national parks. And easy national parks are a great, safe way to get started with bush walking. My first real, overnight hike was to Sealers Cove in Wilsons Promontory National Park. A pretty and very safe and easy walk.

Victoria has two such parks. Wilsons Prom and The Grampians. But a walking a track where you are passing a tour bus group of a dozen or more tourists (in dress shoes) is not really my cup of tea. But even so, I still visit these parks occasionally because they are lovely. So here are some images of The Grampians National Park. You may notice that most of these photos were taken very early or very late. Otherwise they would have people in them!

If you ever do visit the Grampians I would encourage you to visit more than just the bit around Halls Gap. The western side of the park and the southern end are well worth a visit.