Things to do with kids in The Grampians

More than 120 species live here, from giraffes and red pandas to Tasmanian devils. Buy animal food to hand-feed kangaroos, wallabies and deer, and push the pram along the 2.5km path. It opens 10am to 5pm daily; a family pass for up to four kids was $115 in October 2026.

With young children, start from the Sundial car park: it's a 2.1km walk up to the Pinnacle lookout. Allow a little over two hours return, with water crossings and rock-hopping, so wear sturdy shoes. The view takes in Halls Gap and Lake Bellfield.

An easy, flat 2.3km track from the centre of Halls Gap follows Stony Creek to natural rock pools. On warm days, kids can splash around and cool off. Stairs from here climb on to Splitters Falls, which flows best in spring.

Boroka Lookout is about 15km from Halls Gap, and a five-minute stroll takes you to two viewing platforms. It suits people with limited mobility, and the view stretches over Halls Gap and Lake Bellfield. Sunrise here turns the ranges gold and crimson.

From the Reed Lookout car park, a fairly easy 2km walk leads to rock ledges over the Victoria Valley. Reed Lookout itself has a wheelchair-accessible path. Parks Victoria warns of unstable cliffs and slippery rocks, so hold little hands.

An easy stroll in the Wonderland Range follows a fern-lined trail to Silverband Falls. Look out for yellow robins, and wedge-tailed eagles circling above. Parks Victoria lists it among the sites still open while MacKenzie Falls is closed for works.

Lake Bellfield is 5km from the Halls Gap shops, with the mountains reflected in the water. People swim, fish, picnic and boat here. It's the local water supply, so only electric motors are allowed.

At 1,167m, Mount William (Duwul) is the highest point in the Grampians. From the car park, a fairly fit walker takes about 45 minutes on the steep path to the summit. The reward is a 360-degree view of ranges and plains.

This easy walk in the northern Grampians leads to a sheltered rock amphitheatre. After rain, water spills over a honeycomb-textured cliff into a small pool. Spring brings wildflowers along the track.

Ararat was founded by Chinese miners who arrived in the mid-1850s, and Gum San stands on the site of their gold find. Life-size scenes follow their sea voyage and long walk to the goldfields. It opens Thursday to Sunday and every day of the school holidays, 10am to 3pm; a family ticket is $35.