New day-hikes in Grampians

Four new day-hike trails that will eventually become part of the Grampians Peaks Trail have opened in Grampians National Park.

The trails, in northern and southern sections of the Gariwerd park, take in the landscape of Mount Stapylton, Lake Wartook, lower waterfalls of Mount Difficult, also called Gar, and Signal Peak.

The trails range in distance and difficulty across heritage-listed parkland and provide an example of what the full 160-kilometre Grampians Peaks Trail will eventually offer.

Work on Grampians Peaks Trail is scheduled to be completed in spring, with bookings opening in the coming month for visitors planning to stay at 11 hiker camps along the route.

Grampians Peaks Trail will run along the mountain spine of the 160,000-hectare national park, which has been of cultural and historical importance for Jardwadjali and Djab Wurrung people for thousands of years, an inspiration for district residents and visitors alike and home to expansive wildlife.

Expectations are that up to 34,000 walkers will experience the national park annually by 2025, generating more than $6-million in economic benefit and tourism opportunities in the region.

The State Government provided $20.2-million and the Federal Government $10-million through Horsham Rural City Council to develop the peaks trail.

Further information on featured day hikes, including maps, is available from Brambuk: The National Park and Cultural Centre in Halls Gap, or from the Parks Victoria website, www. parks.vic.gov.au.