The Central Expedition is a 5 day, 4 night journey that tackles some of the most remote, exposed, and inaccessible sections of the GPT, but some of the most rewarding. The Central Grampians features some of the most recognised features in the National Park, including Mount Rosea, Venus Baths, the Grand Canyon, the Pinnacle Walk & Lookout, and Mount William.
CENTRAL EXPEDITION AT A GLANCE
The Central Expedition is a 5-day, 4-night journey that will tackle some of the most remote, exposed and inaccessible parts of the GPT. 3 out of 4 of the hiker camps in the Central Expedition are ‘backcountry’ campsites, meaning they are much more inaccessible and do not have an enclosed communal shelter for evenings. While we will have lightweight portable shelter, our experience will be largely dictated by the weather conditions.
Our journey will begin in Halls Gap at Brambuk, the National Park Information Centre. After briefings, a gear check, and packing, we will be transferred in town to start the trail. We’ll start gently with some of the most well-trodden trails of Gariwerd and visit some of the most iconic sites in the region, Venus Baths, Grand Canyon, and the Pinnacle Walk – and that’s all before lunch! Our first night’s camp will be at a stunning campsite that eases us into things with all the comforts of an enclosed communal shelter for the evening.
From there, we will hike southward and encounter less traffic the further we go. We’ll tackle the longest single ascent in the whole GPT, summit the highest peak in all of Gariwerd and cross the exposed, high elevation Major Mitchel Plateau. Each night after the first, we’ll camp in backcountry hiker camps, rest, enjoy a freshly cooked trail meal, and sleep under a blanket of stars. No matter your level of hiking experience, our passionate local team will guide and support you through this journey to explore their backyard.
On this expedition, you will cover every step of the Central Stage of the Grampians Peaks Trail and end at the Jimmy Creek Trailhead, where we begin the Southern Expedition. If your goal is to walk the entire length of the Grampians Peaks Trail, whether it be in one go or over a period of time, this is the Second trip for you. If you want to hike the stages in order, first take on the Northern Expedition, then, after you complete this Central Expedition, you can come back and finish with the Southern Expedition and you will have covered every step – no missing links!
Itinerary Summary
Day 1: Briefing at Brambuk, the National Park Information Centre in Halls Gap, then walk out of town on C1 to Stoney Creek Hiker Camp.
Day 2: Hike C2 – Stoney Creek to Barri Yalug.
Day 3: Hike C3 – Barri Yalug to Duwul.
Day 4: Hike C4 – Duwal to Durd Durd.
Day 5: Hike the first half of C5 to Jimmy Creek Trailhead. Short transfer back to Brambuk for a quick debrief, before a celebratory drink at the local brewery.
OUR EXPEDITIONS INCLUDE
• Qualified and experienced local guides.
• 4 nights camping in supported hiker camps.
• Use of high quality light weight hiking tents.
• Fresh and healthy camp-cooked meals.
• All meals on the trail.
• Any required transfers.
• Group safety equipment, including first aid kits and satellite communications.
DEPARTURE DATES
For a full list of departure dates, click ‘Book Now’ below.
Day 1: Venus Baths, Grand Canyon, The Pinnacle Walk, Mt Rosea
12.2km ⬆693m ⬇229m
We’ll meet at Brambuk, the National Park Information Centre in Halls Gap for a briefing and a gear check and pack. Once we’re set to go, we’ll transfer into the centre of town and depart Halls Gap on foot, winding our way up the Wonderland Range. We will pass iconic sites such as Venus Baths, Grand Canyon, Silent Street and the Pinnacle Walk, all before lunch!
After a bit of traversing some high ground, we’ll pop over and descend to the saddle between the Wonderland Range and Mount Rosea and then gently climb Mount Rosea’s northern shoulder to find the stunning Stoney Creek Hiker Camp. We will set up our tents before relaxing in the shelter to snack and hydrate before dinner.
Day 2: Mt Rosea Summit, Serra Range, Barri Yalug
13km ⬆422m ⬇710m
After packing down our tents, the morning starts with an exciting climb over some really interesting terrain, passing the Gate of the East Wind we will reach the summit of Mount Rosea at 1009 m above sea level. After a long descent into the valley, we leave the Serra Range by crossing Grampians Tourist Road and begin our ascent towards Mount William. Luckily, most of that is saved for tomorrow as it’s only another 1.2km to Barri Yalug, our first ‘backcountry hiker camp’ – more remote hiker camps with limited shelter.
The next three nights of our expedition are in backcountry camps and will be a little more exposed to the elements – a necessary cost to pay to experience some of the most remote and wild parts of the Gariwerd landscape.
Day 3: Barney Creek, Seven Dials, Redman Bluff
13.2 km ⬆806m ⬇316m
A short steep descent out of camp will lead us to cross Barney Creek at 320 m above sea level and offer a short flat stretch to get our minds ready for the longest continual climb anywhere along the GPT. From Barney Creek, it is more or less all uphill until Redman Bluff at 1017 m. This long gradual climb steers us from bushland to large open rock areas. Along the way, we’ll see parts of an old aqueduct system that used to feed water to nearby towns before the construction of Lake Bellfield.
Passing some of the ‘Seven Dials’ we’ll continue on to finally reach Redman Bluff and take a well-earned rest before descending to a saddle and then a final gentle climb to Duwul Hiker Camp.
Day 4: Mt William, Durd Durd, Banksia Hill
Today is one of the most exposed sections of the GPT with the most amount of time spent at the highest elevations. We’ll start by climbing up to Mt William – the highest peak in all of Gariwerd at 1167m – then head south and down to Boundary Gap at 878m, separating Mt William from the Major Mitchell Plateau. This descent and ascent contain some of the most challenging terrains on the whole GPT.
Once we gain the plateau we will undulate across rocks and steel mesh walkway, passing First Wannon Creek and reaching the highest point on the plateau, Durd Durd – equal height to Mount William at 1167 m, marked by a rock cairn. We will continue south to Banksia Hill at 1103m, across the banksia ridgeline where the trail hops across large boulders before descending to open grassy woodland, reminiscent of an alpine meadow.
While Durd Durd Hiker Camp is much more sheltered than most of the day’s walk, it still sits at 855 m above sea level and along with Duwul Hiker Camp are the 2 highest camps and most likely to receive snow in winter and even spring.
Day 5: Mt William Range, Halls Gap
12 km ⬆ 456m ⬇ 685m
A new landscape unfolds as we descend from the highest parts of the Mount William Range and continue to traverse southward, down into sheltered woodland valleys. After a long descent we will reach Jimmy Creek Trailhead where our walking will end for this journey. We’ll hop aboard our private transport for a short drive back into Halls Gap to clean up and visit the local brewery for a celebratory drink.
Our ‘Expedition’ programs are designed for those who love to hike and explore (no matter your level of experience) and prefer the idea of a continuous journey – multiple days, start to finish, without leaving the trail. While we provide as much support and comfort as we can on our Expeditions, we’ll be camping in lightweight hiking tents, sleeping on your inflatable hiking mattress, and staying in campsites equipped with composting tank toilets (but no showers!). We take care of all the group equipment (safety and cooking equipment, food, etc.), but you will need to be capable of carrying your personal clothing, sleeping bag, mattress, and a lightweight 1-person tent (provided), approximately 10-12 kgs.
If you would prefer to hike the GPT all in one go without leaving the trail over 13 days, check out our GPT E2E Expedition.
If you like the idea of a shorter multi-day walk but prefer the idea of a real bed over a tent, check out our GPT Huts Walk!
If you like creature comforts like a hot shower at the end of each day and walking pack free, check out our GPT Lodge Walk!
On our GPT Expeditions, you will need a 50-60L pack and will be required to carry all your personal items that you bring from home, as well as a few small items provided by us, including a small, lightweight but spacious 1-person tent, approximately 1.3kg.
In addition to the lightweight tent, we will provide you with a gift pack including a lightweight lunch box and a small thermos bottle that are yours to keep and will be very useful on the trail.
When packing your backpack at home, ensure that you have approximately 5 litres of spare space in your backpack for your tent, lunchbox and thermos. As a guide, you should be able to fit two 2L milk bottles in the empty space in the top of your pack.
If you would prefer to keep your pack weight lighter and focus on enjoying your walk, you have the option of an additional porter fee. By choosing that option, one of our staff will support you by carrying your overnight equipment, including your tent, sleeping bag and mattress.
Footwear
- Hiking boots/shoes or sturdy trail runners
- 3-4 pairs of good hiking socks
- A comfortable pair of footwear for the evening (optional)
Clothing
- 1-2 Hiking shirt
- 1 pair of hiking shorts
- 1 pair of hiking pants
- 4 days’ worth of comfortable underwear
- Light warm layer for daytime
- Heavy warm layer for nighttime
- Waterproof rain jacket and pants
- 1 x set of thermal baselayers (If travelling outside of summer)
Head and hands
- Sun hat
- Warm beanie (If travelling outside of summer)
- Neck warmer or ‘buff’ type multipurpose UV-resistant neck tube (optional)
- Sunglasses
- UV-resistant and polarised are recommended
- Sunglasses strap
- Warm gloves (If travelling outside of summer)
Health and hygiene
- Personal toiletries
- Toothbrush/paste
- Sunscreen (min UPF 30+)
- Small facecloth
- Feminine hygiene (if required – speak to your guide about how to manage this on the trail)
- Lip Balm (or pawpaw cream from your first aid kit)
- Personal Medications
- Pain killers (whatever works for you)
- Anti-inflammatories
- Throat lozenges
- Anything else you think you might need
- Personal first aid kit
- This is for general/basic first aid maintenance and doesn’t. Blister dressings, bandaids, pawpaw cream, your above medications, burn/bite/antiseptic cream etc. should all fit into a sandwich-size zip-lock bag!
- Small waterless hand sanitiser
- Emergency toilet paper stash – just in case!
Trekking gear
- Hiking pack – 50-60L
- Sleeping bag – rated appropriately to your season of travel
- Hiking pillow (optional)
- Inflatable hiking mattress
- Trekking poles (optional – recommended to have rubber stoppers on the ends)
- Ability to carry 3L of water (Bladder or bottles)
- A few small accessory carabiners (handy to clip drink bottles etc)
- Head Torch with spare batteries or USB rechargeable
- Waterproofing system for your backpack – Sleeping bag and warm layers must be waterproof, this could be with dry compression bags or simply just a heavy-duty garbage bag
- Camera! (optional)
- 1 x awesome attitude (this cannot be hired, must be brought from home)
Need help deciding? We’re here for you.
Want to know more? Speak with an expert. Call us, email us, or visit us in Halls Gap – we’re looking forward to hearing from you!