A Walking Wildflower Discovery of the Grampians and Beyond

Enjoy pleasant walks across the stunning wilderness areas of Victoria’s Grampians National Park. Set out in search of a variety of wildflowers as you explore the diverse terrain encountered on this journey. Our spring departure is timed to witness the beauty of the Grampians with fields of canola in full bloom. Stay at the renowned Royal Mail Hotel, hear the stories behind local private gardens, and visit the extraordinary Murtoa Stick Shed.

Itinerary

Day 1: Melbourne, Private Homestead and Halls Gap Brambuk Cultural Centre

We depart Melbourne at 9am to make our way to a private historic homestead for a tour of its gardens before stopping for lunch. Continue to Halls Gap, in the heart of the Grampians, to visit the Brambuk Cultural Centre. Here we learn about the region’s geology and flora from Indigenous guides. We then check into our hotel before enjoying a Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant. 

Day 2: Wildflowers of the Grampians – Heatherlie Quarry, Troopers Falls Walk and Native Private Garden– Walk: 5.5 Kilometres, Approximately 4.5 Hours

Today you will enjoy a range of gentle hikes around the Grampians to view wildflowers in bloom. Explore the Heatherlie Quarry, an abandoned township with beautiful wildflower displays, and set out on Troopers Falls walk. Enjoy a picnic lunch before visiting one of Australia’s best privately owned native gardens, which boasts over 1000 species, including many rare and unusual plants. We finish the day with a walk to Reed Lookout for panoramic views of the Victoria Valley. 

Day 3: Basalt Volcanic Plains Wildflowers, Judy Vanrenen Private Garden, Picaninny Lookout and Royal Mail Kitchen Garden – Walk: 3.5 Kilometres, Approximately 3 Hours

This morning travel the scenic route to the Basalt Volcanic Plains to see rare wildflowers. We then visit the private garden of Botanica Founder, Judy Vanrenen, to see the garden that has been in her family for over 70 years and contains many drought tolerant plants from around the world. After lunch you may enjoy walking through open forest filled with wildflowers to Picaninny Lookout. From here, you can take in spectacular views of Mt Abrupt or walk further to Dunkeld’s Arboretum. Finish the day with a visit to the Royal Mail’s kitchen garden before dining at their famous restaurant this evening.

Day 4: Little Desert National Park Wildflowers, Murtoa Stick Shed and Horsham – Walk: 3 Kilometres, Approximately 2 Hours

This morning we will travel to the Little Desert National Park via Mt Arapiles, famous for its extreme mountain climbing. In the Little Desert we will search for pockets of wildflower carpets—there are more than 700 indigenous plant species growing in very deep and sandy soils here. Enjoy lunch in the park before we make our way to Horsham to visit the historic Murtoa Stick Shed. This unusual structure was created from 560 mountain ash poles and is known locally as the ‘Cathedral of the Wimmera’. 

Day 5: Stawell Private Garden, Avoca Lunch and Melbourne

We make our way to Stawell today to see a private native garden punctuated by Australian sculptures. Continuing on to Avoca, we enjoy a Farewell Lunch at the historic Avoca Hotel before arriving back at the Melbourne Marriott Hotel at around 5pm.