3-Day Horsham-Halls Gap-Wartook Circular Road Trip
A tight 230km loop that pairs Horsham, the bustling Halls Gap side of the Grampians, and the quieter Wartook Valley — the western face that most weekenders miss. Three days, two nights, mostly sealed, suits any vehicle.
| Distance | 230km loop, sealed |
|---|---|
| Days | 3 |
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Vehicle | Any; caravans fine |
| Best time | September–November or March–May |
| Start | Horsham |
Day 1 — Horsham to Halls Gap (75km)
Start at the Horsham VIC. Drive south-east to Halls Gap via Pomonal. Lunch in Halls Gap (the Bakery does the heaviest, finest meat pies in the region). Afternoon at Reed Lookout / Balconies (1km sealed walk, accessible). Sunset at Boroka Lookout. Sleep Halls Gap.
Day 2 — McKenzie Falls + Wartook Valley (95km)
Early start to McKenzie Falls Bluff Lookout (sealed path, 500m return) and the base of the falls (1.9km return, 230 steps — go early or the car park fills by 11am). Continue west on Mt Victory Road to Lake Wartook; walk the dam wall. Lunch at Wartook General Store. Afternoon: Mt Stapylton walk (3.4km return) or Beehive Falls (2.8km return). Sleep Wartook Valley in a farm cottage.
Day 3 — Wartook to Horsham (60km)
Slow morning. Drive 25 min south through Laharum to Natimuk; Mt Arapiles lookout drive. Lunch at the National Hotel Natimuk. 35 min back to Horsham.
Where to eat
Halls Gap Bakery, Wartook General Store, Mt Zero Olives cellar door (seasonal), National Hotel Natimuk, Horsham (full range).
Fuel
Horsham, Halls Gap, Natimuk. No fuel in Wartook Valley itself.
Mobile coverage
Patchy in Wartook Valley and around McKenzie Falls. Good in Halls Gap and Horsham.
Park alerts
Always check Parks Victoria the morning of McKenzie Falls — track closures occur on extreme-fire-danger days.