Halls Gap, VIC
This picturesque regional town is more than just the gateway to the Grampians.
Where To Stay In Halls Gap
You’ve got two great options here, both brought to you by the team at Breeze Holiday Parks - one of our favourite park groups. Breeze Halls Gap occupies a more convenient location to the township of Halls Gap, located right in town. Breeze Grampians isn’t far away (3.1km), but offers a more nature-first setting with views over the rolling hills of the Grampians. An extra bonus with Breeze Grampians if you’re here at a warmer time of year - there’s a swimming pool!
Where To Eat & Drink In Halls Gap
Halls Gap has some great spots to eat and drink, and we reckon you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the options. First stop has to be Halls Gap Bakery, a classic country bakery that does some of the best pies we’ve had. When we visited, we couldn’t go past the steak and pepper pie, and of course grabbed a few sweet treats for later.
Just across the road, Paper Scissors Rock Brew Co. is a local craft brewery with a laid-back vibe and eight beers on tap, all brewed right there on site. There’s also wine and other regional drinks if beer’s not your thing. The food pairs perfectly with a drink or two – we tried the slow-braised pulled lamb shoulder roll and it hit the spot.
Also nearby is the Halls Gap Hotel, serving up proper pub classics and some really good pizzas. It’s a cosy place for a sit-down meal, or you can grab takeaway if you’d rather kick back somewhere else.
What To Do In Halls Gap
There’s plenty to keep you busy in and around Halls Gap, especially if you’re into nature, animals or just getting out and about. One of the highlights for us was a visit to Halls Gap Zoo – it’s Victoria’s largest regional zoo and home to over 160 native and exotic animals. The Meerkat Experience is well worth it. We booked ahead, got to feed them, and ended up with meerkats climbing all over us. Very cute, very fun.
Of course, this part of the world is all about exploring the Grampians National Park. We spent most of our time walking and soaking in the views. For something short but spectacular, The Balconies trail is a great 2km return walk with stunning views at the top – just be ready for a few stairs and inclines. If you’re up for more of a challenge, The Pinnacle is a 9.6km return hike that took us about five hours, with winding paths and some epic views along the way. We also loved the easier stroll to Venus Baths, especially as a warm-up walk.
A little further out, we made the trip to MacKenzie Falls, about 25 minutes away. It’s one of the biggest waterfalls in Victoria and seriously impressive – you can see it from the lookout or take the track down to the base for a better view. On the way back, we spotted kangaroos and emus in the wild, especially as the sun was starting to set.
If you’re looking to add something cultural to the mix, the Brambuk Cultural Centre is well worth a stop. It gives you a proper insight into the Indigenous history of the region and adds another layer to the whole experience of being in the Grampians.
The Essentials In Halls Gap
There’s a well stocked general store in town as well as a pharmacy. If you’re after camping gear, you’ll need to make the 25 minute drive up the road to Stawell - Grampians Outdoors here is your best bet.
The Drive To Halls Gap
As always, we give you the rundown on the drive you’ll take from some nearby spots.
From Melbourne - An easy drive straight up the Western Highway that will take almost exactly 3 hours to complete.
From Adelaide - Located just over 5.5 hours drive from Adelaide, Halls Gap presents the ideal stopover point if you’re driving from Adelaide to Melbourne.
