The Grampians Peaks Trail has reopened to overnight hikers following months of rebuilding after bushfires damaged parts of the national park during the 2024 to 2025 fire season. The 164 kilometre route, one of Victoria’s best known long distance walking tracks, is once again fully accessible after repairs to campgrounds and visitor facilities in the central section of the trail.
The announcement was made by Environment Minister Steve Dimopoulos, who confirmed that the remaining sections closed to overnight visitors have now been restored and reopened. The central stretch had remained off limits while construction teams rebuilt key infrastructure destroyed by the fires.
Five hiking campgrounds in this section have been reconstructed. Barri Yalug, Duwul, Durd Durd, Yarram and Wannon were among the sites affected when bushfires swept through the Grampians region, burning large areas of the park and damaging facilities used by walkers on multi day trips. The rebuilt campgrounds now offer updated amenities aimed at supporting overnight hikers travelling along the trail.
The Grampians Peaks Trail runs through the Grampians, known to many by its traditional name Gariwerd. The track passes through mountain ranges, forested areas and rocky ridgelines across western Victoria. It was introduced in 2022 as part of a state backed tourism project designed to encourage visitors to spend more time in regional areas.
Although most sections of the trail reopened in July, authorities kept the central part closed to overnight visitors while rebuilding continued. The damage in this area proved difficult to repair quickly because of its remote location and the scale of the destruction left behind by the fires.
Bushfires during December and January of the 2024 to 2025 season burned through more than 135,000 hectares of the Grampians national park. The fires affected wildlife habitats, cultural sites and visitor infrastructure across the south eastern, southern and western parts of the park.
Recovery efforts began shortly after fire crews contained the blazes. Funding for the work has come through a joint commitment of 36 million dollars from the Victorian and federal governments. The programme has covered repairs to roads, walking tracks and campgrounds as well as measures aimed at protecting local biodiversity.
Officials involved in the recovery say restoring visitor access was only part of the process. Environmental teams have been working to stabilise affected ecosystems while rebuilding damaged infrastructure used by park visitors.
The reopening of the trail’s final closed sections allows hikers to once again complete the full multi day journey across the Grampians Peaks Trail. The route has gained attention among outdoor enthusiasts since its launch, drawing both local visitors and interstate travellers interested in extended hiking trips.
Tourism operators in western Victoria have watched the reopening closely. Businesses across nearby towns rely on visitor activity tied to the park, including accommodation providers, tour operators and hospitality venues. Multi day walkers often stay in surrounding communities before and after completing sections of the trail.
Minister Dimopoulos described the Grampians Peaks Trail as one of Victoria’s most memorable hiking experiences and welcomed the return of overnight access across the full route. He said the reopening allows hikers to return to an environment many visitors consider among the state’s most scenic landscapes.
Dimopoulos also pointed to the wider role of tourism projects in regional development. He said the government plans to keep investing in regional destinations so families and travellers can experience outdoor locations across the state.
Jacinta Ermacora, Member for Western Victoria, said support for communities affected by natural disasters remains a priority. She noted that rebuilding infrastructure and restoring access to the park forms part of broader recovery efforts in the region.
Bushfire recovery in large national parks can take years as environmental and infrastructure work progresses together. Authorities managing the Grampians say monitoring will continue while damaged habitats recover and visitor numbers gradually return.
Park managers are encouraging hikers to plan their trips carefully and check conditions before travelling, particularly as some parts of the landscape continue to recover from the fires. Seasonal weather and restoration work can influence access across different sections of the park.
Bookings for the Grampians Peaks Trail campgrounds are available through Parks Victoria’s website. With the final repairs now complete, the trail once again offers a continuous route for walkers seeking multi day hikes through one of Victoria’s best known national parks.
The reopening closes a chapter in the park’s recovery following the fires that reshaped large parts of the landscape. For hikers and tourism operators in the region, the return of full access signals a gradual return to normal activity across the Grampians.
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