The Grampians in Australia is for people who appreciate nature.
Whilst Australia is well-known because of its natural wonders like The Great Barrier Reef and Uluru (Ayer's Rock), similarly spectacular natural attractions remain largely "insiders secrets," known only to Aussies and adventurers. One such Australian natural wonder is the Grampians National Park. Located 162 miles (260km) from Melbourne, this rugged mountain range is often a attraction for outdoors lovers, attracting over 1,000,000 visitors per year.
Devotees of rock climbing throughout the world know about the Grampians though, and have been spreading the word. Most climbers from outside Australia have stumbled across them almost by accident. A large number of rock climbers come to Australia every year for just one reason: to climb the world famous climber's mecca of Mt. Arapiles, near Horsham, among the gateways to the Grampians. Whilst sitting around their campfires in the evening, they hear stories about the even more amazing rock formations in the Grampians. Intrigued, they travel the short distance it takes to view them for themselves. When they return home to Europe, the United States or elsewhere around the globe, they share their photographs and videos with their friends and families and slowly, the Grampians have become a "can't miss" Australian sight.
Long before European settlers discovered the Grampians, they were already well known to Australia's indigenous population. Aboriginal rock art and other findings in the region trace their history inside the region back around 20,000 years. Today, Brambuc, the National Park and Cultural Centre, situated on Grampians Road in Hall's Gap, is run by the local indigenous communities and showcases their amazing cultural heritage.
Hall's Gap is most visitors' first stop in the Grampians. Located in the lush valley between the peaks of this Wonderland and Mount William ranges, it's an ideal preface to the park. Through the Australian Springtime months of October and November, the valley becomes a vibrant display of wildflowers and the lakes and streams, full to overflowing from the winter rains, are perfect for escaping from the approaching summer heat. To celebrate the season, the locals host the annual Hall's Gap Grampians Wildflower Show each October. This is a perfect time to go to the area. With blooming vegetation punctuated by cascading waterfalls and shimmering lakes, the Grampians really put on a display in Spring.
If you visit the Grampians over the Christmas season, you won't be disappointed, either. December and January are the months when the serious rock climbers and hikers come to visit. On their first visit, climbing enthusiasts often make the Mt. Stapylton camping grounds their home and do their climbing at the easily accessible and only moderately difficult climbs in the appropriately named Summer Day Valley. More experienced and adventurous climbers stay in Mt. Stapylton, too, but take on the intense challenges presented from the sheer cliff faces of the famed Taipan Wall and other cliffs, most of which are as challenging to reach as they're to climb.
Even during the busiest season, finding a Hall's Gap accommodation isn't hard. There are numerous camping grounds in and round the area and if you're looking for more comfortable accommodation, there are plenty of cozy guesthouses, hotels and lodges in the area as well. But don't spend too much time indoors. The Grampians are too spectacular to miss!
Devotees of rock climbing throughout the world know about the Grampians though, and have been spreading the word. Most climbers from outside Australia have stumbled across them almost by accident. A large number of rock climbers come to Australia every year for just one reason: to climb the world famous climber's mecca of Mt. Arapiles, near Horsham, among the gateways to the Grampians. Whilst sitting around their campfires in the evening, they hear stories about the even more amazing rock formations in the Grampians. Intrigued, they travel the short distance it takes to view them for themselves. When they return home to Europe, the United States or elsewhere around the globe, they share their photographs and videos with their friends and families and slowly, the Grampians have become a "can't miss" Australian sight.
Long before European settlers discovered the Grampians, they were already well known to Australia's indigenous population. Aboriginal rock art and other findings in the region trace their history inside the region back around 20,000 years. Today, Brambuc, the National Park and Cultural Centre, situated on Grampians Road in Hall's Gap, is run by the local indigenous communities and showcases their amazing cultural heritage.
Hall's Gap is most visitors' first stop in the Grampians. Located in the lush valley between the peaks of this Wonderland and Mount William ranges, it's an ideal preface to the park. Through the Australian Springtime months of October and November, the valley becomes a vibrant display of wildflowers and the lakes and streams, full to overflowing from the winter rains, are perfect for escaping from the approaching summer heat. To celebrate the season, the locals host the annual Hall's Gap Grampians Wildflower Show each October. This is a perfect time to go to the area. With blooming vegetation punctuated by cascading waterfalls and shimmering lakes, the Grampians really put on a display in Spring.
If you visit the Grampians over the Christmas season, you won't be disappointed, either. December and January are the months when the serious rock climbers and hikers come to visit. On their first visit, climbing enthusiasts often make the Mt. Stapylton camping grounds their home and do their climbing at the easily accessible and only moderately difficult climbs in the appropriately named Summer Day Valley. More experienced and adventurous climbers stay in Mt. Stapylton, too, but take on the intense challenges presented from the sheer cliff faces of the famed Taipan Wall and other cliffs, most of which are as challenging to reach as they're to climb.
Even during the busiest season, finding a Hall's Gap accommodation isn't hard. There are numerous camping grounds in and round the area and if you're looking for more comfortable accommodation, there are plenty of cozy guesthouses, hotels and lodges in the area as well. But don't spend too much time indoors. The Grampians are too spectacular to miss!
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