Touring Australia Summer 2016/17 Touring Australia | Page 46

ViC Halls Gap - The Grampians; Southern Grampians Shire Mt William - The Grampians † Bike riding at Lake Bellfield † The tourist village of Halls Gap is situated in the heart of the Grampians National Park, Victoria Australia. The town centre is nestled between the soaring rocky mountain peaks that constitute the Wonderland and Mount William Ranges. A number of cafes and tourist shops can be found facing the grassy areas fronting Stony Creek, while the attractive Halls Gap Picnic Reserve is just across the road from the rest of the commercial centre. With its multitude of accommodation, eateries and shopping, Halls Gap is the perfect place to stay when exploring the ancient mountain ranges, natural flora and fauna, waterways and waterfalls and stunning views. Halls Gap and the Grampians offer a wide variety of accommodation to suit all needs and budgets. These include: five-star villas; bed & breakfasts; selfcontained cabins;   holiday houses; motels; camping grounds; caravan parks; backpackers and budget apartments. The Grampians are one of Victoria’s most impressive natural attractions, popular with bushwalkers and holidaymakers seeking a mountain forest and lake environment. The Grampians National Park covers 167,000 hectares and is home to hundreds of species of native animal life. Spring time sees the area covered in colorful wildflowers, celebrated by the annual Halls Gap Wildflower & Art Show, while waterfalls flow at their peak at this time of year. A myriad of walking tracks exist in the area, many leading to spectacular lookouts over the park and surrounding ranges. Topped off by breathtaking sunrises and sunsets, it’s no wonder that all of the rich facets of the Grampians has inspired writers, artists and film makers for decades and has been place for families and friends to relax, reconnect and experience the beauty of the Australian native landscape. Adventure enthusiasts from all over the world come for the abseiling, rock climbing, bush walking and cycling, whilst nature lovers are awestruck by the wild life, native plants and delicate wildflowers. Couple bike riding down track, Halls Gap Golf Course † by Rob Blackburn. Main Street, Halls Gap; Ewen Bell. All Images courtesy of Tourism Vic. 46 touring australia magazine • summer 2017