The gorgeous GRAMPIANS

Whether you’re a lover of the great outdoors or a cruisier traveller, you’ll be spoilt for choice at this Victorian gem

- Linda Smith.

I’ve always laughed at people from overseas who are disappointed we don’t have kangaroos hopping down our main streets. Silly them, I’d often think.

But just minutes after arriving in picturesque Halls Gap, I was thrilled to see a kangaroo jumping across the road, not far from the town’s tourism information centre.

Halls Gap is one of the main centres for exploring the spectacular Grampians region, just a three-hour drive from Melbourne. And the plentiful ’roos grazing in and around the town are just one of the many things you’ll love about the Grampians.

We’d come to hike and camp for three days of the 160kmlong Grampians Peaks Trail, which opened in November last year. It’s an amazing, challenging walk that will reward you with billion-dollar panoramas. But you don’t need to be a hiker to enjoy this beautiful part of the world.

There’s so much to do and see for people of all ages, with outstanding wineries, heaps of short walks that even the littlest kids will love, and accommodation to suit every budget.