Monday 30/10/2023 Balconies Road Carpark – Reed Lookout – The Balconies Lookout
Grampians National Park, VICTORIA
Gariwerd Country
Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos, Report), Sue Davies
This is a very short tourist walk. Just off the carpark at Reed Lookout, there are excellent views of much of the Grampians Ranges. Moving further along the track there is one nice pedestal-style rock formation and nearby a notable section of mossy ground interspersed with some small flowering shrubs, which looks a little Arctic in nature.
Max elevation: 758 m
Total climbing: 89 m
Total descent: -111 m
Average speed: 4.24 km/h
Total time: 00:37:27
A variety of other flowering plants were seen on the way to Balconies Lookout. Balconies Lookout is now fenced off from The Balconies themselves, an obvious safety measure. Sue and I both recall having our pictures taken about 35 years ago on The Balconies themselves. It is evident it was once allowed, as although now fenced off, the old stone pathway to the lower balcony remains.
Heath along The Balconies Track
This was in stark contrast to what we could access yesterday along the Mt Stapylton Loop in the northern section of The Grampians, there were no fences around anything there!
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.
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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