Dunkeld’s the place to be for hikers and tourists

12/01/2024

The southern Grampians town of Dunkeld has become even more attractive to hikers and tourists with an upgraded trailhead and visitor hub in the centre of town.

The project positions Dunkeld as a premier location for people to start or finish a hike on the world-class Grampians Peaks Trail - a unique 164-kilometre hiking experience showcasing the Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park.

Starting at Mt Zero in the north and heading south, the trail passes over the summit of Gar (Mt Difficult) and continues through to Halls Gap with several hiking highlights before reaching Dunkeld in the south.

Works have included the development of a covered platform where people about to head off on the trail, or just arriving, can gather and rest.

The upgrades to the trailhead will make it easier for groups or individuals to set off with more pathways, wayfinding, and interpretive signs linking the trailhead, information centre, public toilets and Memorial Park.

Along with improved parking and a pedestrian refuge making it safer to cross Parker Street, the works create a hub that is welcoming for hikers and tourists alike. The upgrades are complemented with specially designed landscaping matching the feel of the town.

The Grampians Peaks Trail opened in 2021 and was made possible through a $23.2 million investment from the Victorian Government and $10 million from the Australian Government through Horsham Rural City Council.

The trail connects visitors to the precious natural and cultural values of the Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park and its spectacular peaks – from the sandstone outcrops at Mount Zero in the north to Mount Abrupt in the south.