Gariwerd/Grampians National Park

$1750 AUD

Dec 27-30 2026 (4 days)

Challenging

Max Group: 10

Sandstone & sky

Northern Gariwerd, Grampians Peaks Trail

Four days across the rugged sandstone ridges, exposed peaks and wide horizons of northern Gariwerd.

This trip follows the northern third of the Grampians Peaks Trail, arguably its most rugged and surprising section. The route threads its way through a landscape of wind-carved caves, overhanging cliffs, fractured sandstone and exposed ridgelines, often finding a way through terrain that looks almost impassable from a distance.

It’s a compact journey and there’s a lot packed into these four days. Long views across the western plains, steep climbs, rocky scrambles and unusual formations give this section of the trail a character all of its own. Unlike some of our more flexible community trips, the route here is well defined, so further down the page you’ll find the daily distances, elevation and walking times laid out in more detail.

A rugged mountain landscape with rocky outcroppings and sparse vegetation under a partly cloudy sky.

What to expect:

Total Distance: 50-53km

Total Ascent: Approx 1600m

Typical Day: 11-14km

Time on foot: Around 6-8 hours

Terrain: Grade 4. Steep climbs, exposed sandstone, rocky slabs, rock hopping and rough, uneven trail.

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Highlights

  • Walk the northern stage of the Grampians Peaks Trail, one of its wildest and most dramatic sections

  • Stay at the purpose-built Barigar, Gar and Werdug hike-in campgrounds

  • Move through huge sandstone cliffs, overhangs, rocky slabs and wind-carved formations

  • Climb through the Mount Stapylton and Mount Difficult ranges

  • Experience the living cultural landscape of Gariwerd

  • Around 50–53 km of walking over four days

  • Sweeping views across the ranges, Lake Wartook and the western plains

  • Four days carrying what we need between camps as a small group

Day 1: Into the Sandstone
Mt Zero to Barigar Camp
12.1 km | approx. 700 m ascent | 6 hrs

We set out from Mount Zero and quickly find ourselves among the huge sandstone forms of the northern ranges. The trail works its way through Mount Stapylton country, beneath Taipan Wall and across open slabs and rocky ridges before dropping towards Barigar Camp. It’s a brilliant introduction to how cleverly the GPT finds a route through this landscape.

Day 2: Up to Gar
Barigar to Gar Camp
11.3 km | approx. 700 m ascent | 7 hrs

From Barigar we head deeper into the Mount Difficult Range. The day builds gradually, passing woodland, seasonal creeks and waterfalls before a sustained climb through increasingly steep and rocky terrain. Huge sandstone walls close in around the trail before we eventually emerge high on the range at Gar Camp.

Day 3: Across the Ranges
Gar to Werdug Camp
14 km | approx. 600 m ascent | 7 to 8 hrs

If conditions allow, we can begin with a side trip to the summit of Gar before continuing south. From here the trail crosses a wonderful mix of rocky slabs, saddles and high ridgelines around the Werdug (Wartook) Basin, with big views opening across the ranges before we reach Werdug Camp overlooking Lake Wartook.

Day 4: Down to Halls Gap
Werdug to Halls Gap
13 km | approx. 250 m ascent | 6 hrs

Our final day begins high on the eastern side of the Mount Difficult Range before gradually turning towards Halls Gap. The dry, rocky country gives way to taller forest as we lose height, with Lake Wartook Lookout and the option of Chautauqua Peak giving us a couple of last high points before walking all the way into town.

What’s Included:

  • Four days of Mountain Immersive trip facilitation

  • All meals and snacks during the journey

  • High quality, lightweight expedition tents

  • All group cooking equipment and fuel

  • Water treatment

  • Group navigation equipment and maps

  • Group first aid equipment

  • Satellite / emergency communications

  • All booked Grampians Peaks Trail hike-in campsites

  • Trip transfers between the agreed meeting point, trailhead and finish

  • A small piece of Mountain Immersive kit to take home

  • Pre-trip information, gear guidance and group briefing

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Not Included:

  • Transport to and from the trip meeting point

  • All personal clothing and equipment listed on the trip packing list

  • Personal travel expenses before or after the trip

  • Personal travel / ambulance insurance

  • Any meals or accommodation outside the trip

Green shrubbery in the foreground with a large rocky cliff face in the background.
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