Family guide to the Grampians National Park

• Halls Gap Playground and Picnic Area. This is a fantastic place to take the family for a day out. Located conveniently across the road from the town's shops, surrounded by spectacular mountain views, and backed by the Halls Gap Botanical Gardens and several unmissable Grampians walks, this park has everything you need for a family barbecue and day of adventure!
• Halls Gap Botanic Gardens. These gardens are a must-see, particularly if you are visiting with children - they will love the adorable sculptures, the gigantic nest (complete with ladder to climb in), the boardwalk, and the many information signs throughout the garden. 
• Venus Baths. Starting in the beautiful Halls Gap Botanic Gardens, this scenic, pram-friendly walk is absolutely stunning and takes you to a beautiful oasis of sandstone rock pools.
• Silverband Falls. A short creek-side walk takes you the base of the waterfall, where the curious disappearing creek allows safe rock hopping right beneath the falls (watch out for slippery rocks though).
• Clematis Falls. Starting from the recreation oval in Halls Gap, this walk is short and sweet. If you have small children they may need a hand clambering down to the base of the falls at the end of the track, and be aware that there is a cliff edge downstream from the falls, so keep little ones close the waterfall. 
• Beehive Falls. As you approach the waterfall along the easy walking track, the scenery abruptly changes from bushland to lush greenery and ferns. Depending on recent rain levels, there are spectacular fern-lined rock pools to explore. The base of Beehive Falls is a scenic, peaceful spot to relax with the family.
• Reeds Lookout and The Balconies. These two spectacular lookouts have short walks, guard rails, and begin from the same car park. You will also get beautiful views from a lookout at the carpark itself, so if you're after something quick and effortless, then this is the spot for you. 
• Heatherlie Quarry. A fantastic, educational place to visit with the family. A short, easy walking track takes you through the site of the quarry. Detailed information signs are located alongside significant areas.
• Zumsteins Picnic Area and Historical Site. Set on the banks of the gorgeous MacKenzie River, the Zumsteins Picnic Area is the site of an historic holiday retreat and settlement. Zumsteins features excellent picnic facilities including electric barbecues, picnic tables and multiple undercover areas. A short circuit walk takes you through the Zumsteins Historical Area, with educational signs at various points along the way. A short boardwalk also takes you on a stroll along the creek beside the picnic area. 
• Gulgurn Manja Shelter. The Gulgurn Manja Shelter is a beautiful Aboriginal rock art site, accessed via an easy walk through gorgeous scenery with incredible views up to the surrounding rocky cliffs and ridges. 
  
• Grand Canyon. Although this walk does involve steep stairs and precarious rock crossings, it is a short 900m circuit walk (with only half of it through the canyon itself). Older kids will manage this walk with ease, but it is a good idea to keep hold of younger children's hands for this one. 

These gorgeous rocky platforms alongside the walking track to The Balconies offer breathtaking views. Grampians National Park VIC

Activities and adventures

Where to eat

• Pack snacks, and lots of em. Kids are eating machines, especially when they're burning lots of energy walking to waterfalls and clambering over rocks.
• Bring plenty of water. If you think you've packed enough water, pack some more. Keep a big container in the car to refill drink bottles throughout the day. 
• Don't forget to bring along hats and sunscreen if visiting during the hotter parts of the year.
• Bring spare clothes, socks and shoes for the little ones. It's definitely a good idea to prepare for wet kids when you're spending the day exploring gorgeous stony creeks and waterfalls. 
• Be prepared for limited phone/gps signal in some areas of The Grampians. If you are following maps/directions on your phone, it is a good idea to screen shot them in case you lose signal.
• You will probably encounter wildlife while exploring The Grampians, particularly kangaroos in Halls Gap. Please let your children know that they must not approach or feed the animals - help the wildlife of The Grampians stay wild. You can get up close and personal with a range of native animals at the Halls Gap Zoo.