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With waterfalls, lakes, forests
and alpine-like landscapes, the Grampians National Park is like a
universe unto itself. The park comprises four main sandstone ranges;
Mt William, Serra, Mt Difficult and the Victoria Range. Together
they form the serrated, canyoned array of one of the most remarkable
natural protrusions in Australia that extends for 80km north to
south and 50km east to west. The ranges are easily accessed from
four gateway towns and regions, in particular Halls Gap and Pomonal
in the east, Dunkeld in the south and the Wartook Valley region in
the northwest.
Local Aboriginal people, including the Jardwadjali
and Djab Wurrung people, attribute stories and meaning to the area
they call Gariwerd (Grampians). Evidence of these ancient Aboriginal
custodians and their dreamtime stories endures today in more than
4000 different motifs within 60 rock art sites identified in the
Grampians National Park.
Home to Aboriginal people for thousands of years. Gariwerd
continues to be an area of unique cultural significance with 80
percent of Aboriginal art sites of Victoria located in the park.
Visit several of these sites, including the Manja and Billimina
shelters in the western Grampians and Ngamadjidj and Gulgurn Manja
shelters in the north. For further information about Aboriginal
culture in the Grampians visit Brambuk the National Park and
Cultural Centre in Halls Gap.
The earliest non-indigenous explorer was Major Thomas Mitchell,
who spied the saw-toothed silhouette of the Grampians Ranges during
an expedition to map the course of the Darling River to the north.
Within several decades, industrious new settlers had transformed
much of the bushland surrounding the ranges into arable farming
country and established large sheep stations. Tourists were quick to
realise the remarkable nature of this region, and the first intrepid
groups began arriving only about 10 years after the discovery of
gold in the late I 880s.
Visitation to the Grampians has grown steadily ever since, and
it's no wonder considering the remarkable scenery and diverse flora
and fauna. There are over 970 native plant species in the ranges and
some of these only grow naturally in the Grampians. The region's
profusion of wildflowers brings the bush alive with colour every
spring. Their beauty is complemented by the abundance of kangaroos,
possums, echidnas and reptiles, as well as the more illusive
bandicoots and sugar gliders. The Grampians National Park is home to
an astounding 35 species of mammals, about 40 percent of those
identified in Victoria. There are also more than 200 bird species at
home here. Stay keen-eyed and tread quietly if you want to see them.
Activities are as diverse as the wildlife, ranging from a broad
choice of bushwalking tracks and trails for all abilities,
challenging rock climbs and abseiling, to 4WD trekking and car
touring. Explore this unique place yourself or contact one of the
professional tour operators that visit the park.
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