Mud-Dadjug to Dunkeld

Scrambling, views, wildflowers, cliff ladders, peaceful farmland and an Aussie country town

We respectfully acknowledge the Djab Wurrung and Jardwardjali people as the traditional custodians of the lands and waters of Gariwerd.

hiker making way down rock steps under rock outcrop forest ed sloping hillside ahead

Fun scrambling, final views

Your final day on the Grampians Peaks delivers yet again in variety and views. You’ll have rocky scrambling beside giant boulders as above, as well as forest on the easy terrain on the flats. There is the gentle bump of Bainggug (The Picanninny), followed by its big sister, Wurgurrie (Mt Sturgeon). You descend the precipitous southern face of Wurgurrie via a beaut series of ladders, and then it’s rolling, gum-studded farmland into Dunkeld, a quintissential Aussie country town: overseas visitors especially will be delighted. Orchid enthusiasts will be thrilled too — the area around Wurgurrie is famous for its spring wildflowers. It is a fitting climax to a world class hike.

satellite map of days hike with elevation profile

Todays elevation profile shows the descent from Mud-Dadjug, followed by the climbs up Bainggug and Wurgurrie: 14.8km/9.2mi with 510m/1670ft cumulative elevation gain, and 810m/2660ft elevation loss.

Today’s trail has a mix of easy terrain with smooth surfaces, particularly on the flats and into town, but also some steep and rocky climbs and a little easy scrambling on the initial descent from Mud-Dadjug. In good weather, you’ll have grand views from Wurgurrie and the track here, while steep and rocky, requires only walking.

How to Make Today Easier

Today’s hike has plenty of elevation gain and loss initially, but the final three kilometres into town are along farm tracks through gently rolling country: tired legs won’t have a climb at the end of the day!

Everyone’s packs should be light by now, whether you have done food drops or not, with only the day’s lunch and snacks. Top up with water at the tank by the track crossing from Picanninny East Car Park.

The best way to make today easier is to give yourself plenty of time. If you have not left your car in Halls Gap, the scheduled track transfer bus back leaves Dunkeld around 3 pm, which may be rushed for slower hikers. Therefore, if you have done any kind of track transfer, arrange it so that your own car is left at your accommodation in Dunkeld so you have no deadline. Alternatively, arrange a transfer with Experience The Grampians: they will pick you up at a pre-arranged time of your choice. However, we strongly recommend that slower hikers plan to spend a night in Dunkeld.

Similarly, if you are catching transport back to Melbourne, arrange to leave the following day and stay the night in Dunkeld. We have more details on logistics in the Tips and Planning for the Southern Section as well as for the overall GPT.

Pub opening times were somewhat sporadic at the time of writing, but fear not: various cafes, bar and grills have stepped into the breach. Ring to check times when you are on your rest day in Halls Gap!

Walk with Us:

smooth track meandering through open forest with wildflower understorey

The track as you leave the hut is so smooth an manicured, it’s as if you are walking through a garden…

hiker scrambling under rock o=outcrop down steep section of rocky track

…but soon it becomes rocky with boulders, steps and easy scrambles.

hiker on rock outcrop looking at view across flat land below

Being at a lower elevation, you will now have quite a different view across the Victoria valley.

small pinky purple orchid flower

Pink Fingers (Caladenia carnea), with some of the largest flowers I’ve seen in the species.

hiker on rocky track looking ahead over forested hill with small town beyond

The trail is rough and rocky but, if you have taken our advice and are staying the night in Dunkeld, you have plenty of time.

small shrub with star shaped pink and white flowers

Calytrix tetragona Grampians form

small white hybrid orchid flower

and a white Pink Fingers.

hiker on smooth contoured track through open forest with dense understory

The understory on the lower reaches around Buanggig and Wurgurrie are wonderfully rich in flora and the walking is easy. The day is overcast so no sun orchids are out, though I see many with closed buds.

Thelymitra brevifolia has pale purple flowers

Fortunately, the sun is out the next day, so we backtrack and spend the morning orchid-hunting. Here the Peppertop Sun Orchid, (Thelymitra brevifolia)

Slender Sun Orchid has pale blue-purple flowers

…and the Slender Sun Orchid, T. pauciflora complex

hiker on track looking ahead toward mountain that needs to be crossed

Approaching Wurgurrie.

ywllow and burgundy orchid flower with two upright petals like donkey ears

Many, many orchids. A donkey orchid Diuris orientis and

orchid with slender yellow and brown flowers

… a Hornet Orchid, Diuris sulphurea

expansive view of forested area with cleared farmland and lake behind

Even though you’re nearly down on the flats, you still have views. It’s a complete delight.

small wallaby

We’ve seen glimpses of these shy Swamp Wallabies (Wallabia bicolor) but they spook easily and are difficult to capture without a long lens. This mum and bub were a bit more relaxed.

spider orchid

Another new find on the trail, the Plain-Lipped Spider Orchid, Caladenia clavigera.

hiker resting on walking poles on rock steps under blue sky

Phew! More steps!

hiker part way up a series of rock steps

Plenty of climbing, but with yet more beautiful steps to aid tired legs.

sun orchid with pale blue flowers

Thelymitra juncifolia

magnificent views looking back at forested mountains that have been passed

Wonderful views from Wurgurrie are worth the climb! There’s Bainggug foreground, with Mt Abrupt and Mud-Dadjug behind. It’s possible to see the hut from here when the light is right.

spider orchid in flower with very slender petals

The White Spider Orchid, Caladenia venusta. You can be tricked because there are a half dozen or so whitish spider orchid species in the region!

hybrid form has pale green rather than white petals

… and an interesting hybrid, C. tentaculata x venusta

hiker resting amongst rocks to get out of the wind looking at expansive view ahead

Still descending the southern flanks. It is windy and bitterly cold despite the sunshine.

small bee on pale purple sun orchid

A native bee pollinating a Slender Sun Orchid

sun orchid with pale pink flowers

Pink Sun Orchid (Thelymitra carnea)

view over flat farmlands ahead no mountains in sight

Dunkeld proper is just out of frame to the left.

hiker walking past gnarly outcrop on rocky track

Steep and rocky, but not for much longer…

steel walkway and stairs down side of mountain

… instead, fun stairs down the precipitous face!

hiker on single foot track along contour

Finally onto the lower flanks. You will likely be thinking about what you will order for dinner tonight!

hiker on gentle sloping track through grassy patchy scrub

Still, there is more to enjoy in these last few kilometres. On the 1,000 km Bibbulmun Track, we noticed that many hikers started counting down the days to the end. The goal overshadowed the journey. Our approach — with the luxury of time — was that we were simply living on the track for a while, and going for a walk in our back yard every day.

On a shorter hike like the GPT, this is much more difficult, because you don’t have the opportunity to slot into life on the track as you do in long-distance thru-hikes. Nevertheless, it’s worth reminding yourself to enjoy and be grateful for every moment, even when hot showers, cold beer and calorie dense pub meals are beckoning!

hiker lookign back at rugged mountain she has just walked over

A glance back at Wurgurrie…

grassy floodplain with scattered gum trees

And to the river flats.

hiker on gravel track on grassy floodplain

It is a gentle end to what has been a magnificent hike.

hike ron track under gnarly red gum tree

Under majestic ancient River Red Gums…

hiker standing under massive sculpture of sunflower next to track

… to the art walk on the outskirts of town.

person walking along street in small town with sheep walking next to them

Wide country streets and someone walking what is probably a pet judas sheep. You’re there!

selfie of two hikers with view of Wurgurrie in background

Scrubbed up and smiling: the obligatory selfie at the Visitor Centre official finish the following morning.

The Grampians Peaks Trail is a truly extraordinary and marvellous multiday hike. We have no doubt that it will soon be classed as one of Australia’s Great Walks, together with tracks like the Overland, Cape to Cape, Three Capes and Larapinta. Geoff and I can’t recommend this new hike highly enough and, with the right itinerary, it is excellent for slower hikers. So what are you waiting for: start planning!


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