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.
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.
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:
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!
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!