Monday 30/10/2023   Mackenzie Falls Carpark – Mackenzie Falls Lookout – Broken Falls Lookout – Cranages Lookout – Mackenzie Falls – Mackenzie River – Mackenzie River – Fish Falls                                                                                                                        

                                        Grampians National Park, VICTORIA

                                        Gariwerd Country                                    

Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos, Report), Sue Davies 

We had left camp before 7:30am in an attempt to check out this area and The Balconies before meeting friends in Dunkeld at 1:00pm. Having such an early start to the drive ensured we saw lots of wallabies near the road and luckily for several of them we were driving very slowly. After some overnight rain, it was still heavily overcast when we arrived at the carpark and also quite cool.

Download file: 20231030a800.gpx                         Track Info

 

This is likely one of the original tourist destinations of The Grampians and as such the paths are very well formed, creating an easy walk. Mackenzie Falls Lookout was first, followed by Broken Falls Lookout and Cranages Lookout, all above the waterfalls and looking down on them. From here there is a Parks Victoria described as “strenuous” 280 stairs to descend to obtain the view of Mackenzie Falls from its base. Last night’s rain worked a treat, as all the falls now had a decent quantity of water cascading over them.

We continued onward from here, leaving the tourist-grade tracks and steps behind. Although noticeably rougher underfoot, there was also a section of metal boardwalk, another section with metal stairs and some very large stepping stones in strategic locations. We went as far as Fish Falls, walking around its base level and false base levels looking for the most picturesque angles. Once finished I swapped to a very wide-angle lens and repeated the process on Mackenzie Falls on the return to our campervan. 

Apart from all the waterfalls, we noted a lot of grass-like vegetation trackside. 

Meanwhile, the 280 strenuous stairs had been barely noticed, likely the result of us having been hiking for the past month.

Photos

 

The local flora, fauna, geology, history and some other walks (Bard)

Local Flora

The local flora of Grampians National Park is a diverse mix of woodland, grassland, and heathland vegetation. The woodland is dominated by Eucalyptus species, such as the mountain ash (Eucalyptus regnans), the manna gum (Eucalyptus viminalis), and the messmate (Eucalyptus obliqua). The grassland is dominated by native grasses such as kangaroo grass (Themeda australis), wallaby grass (Danthonia spp.), and spear grass (Stipa spp.). The heathland is dominated by shrubs such as wattles (Acacia spp.), grevilleas (Grevillea spp.), and hakea (Hakea spp.).

Local Fauna

The local fauna of Grampians National Park is also diverse, and includes a variety of mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians. Some of the common mammals include kangaroos, wallabies, wombats, koalas, and echidnas. Some of the common birds include emus, kookaburras, parrots, honeyeaters, and wrens. Some of the common reptiles include snakes, lizards, and turtles. Some of the common amphibians include frogs and toads.

Geology

Grampians National Park is located in the Grampians Ranges, which are a mountain range in western Victoria. The park is underlain by a variety of metamorphic rocks, such as sandstone, shale, and quartzite. The park also contains some igneous rocks, such as granite and basalt.

Indigenous History

The Aboriginal people of Australia have lived in the area now known as Grampians National Park for thousands of years. The park is on the traditional land of the Djab Wurrung people. The Djab Wurrung people used the land for hunting, gathering, and fishing. They also used the land for ceremonial and spiritual purposes.

White History

The first Europeans to visit the area now known as Grampians National Park were explorers Hamilton Hume and William Hovell in 1824. The area was first settled by Europeans in the 1830s. The park was established in 1892.

Walks

Grampians National Park has a number of walking trails, ranging in difficulty from easy to difficult. Some of the popular walks include:

The Pinnacle Walk: This is a moderate 3 km walk that leads to the top of the Pinnacle, a rock formation that offers stunning views of the surrounding countryside.

The MacKenzie Falls Walk: This is an easy 2 km walk that leads to the MacKenzie Falls, a waterfall that is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the park.

The Balconies Walk: This is a challenging 6 km walk that takes in some of the most scenic views in the park, including the Balconies, a series of rock formations that offer stunning views of the surrounding countryside.

Conclusion

Grampians National Park is a beautiful and diverse park that offers something for everyone. The park is home to a variety of flora, fauna, and geology. The park also has a rich indigenous and white history. Visitors to the park can enjoy a variety of walks, ranging in difficulty from easy to difficult.

Additional Information

The park is also home to a number of cultural heritage sites, including rock art sites and Aboriginal burial grounds.

The park is a popular destination for rock climbers, with a number of climbing sites located throughout the park.

The park is also a popular destination for birdwatchers, with over 200 species of birds recorded in the park.

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