The Pinnacle, Grampians National Park Sunrise photo by Joshua Tagicakibau –

Top 10 Amazing Facts about Grampians National Park


 

The Grampians National park commonly referred to as The Grampians is a national park located in the Grampians region of Victoria, Australia. The National park is situated between Stawell and Horsham on the Western Highways and Dunked on the Glenelg Highway.

It was proclaimed as a national park on 1 July 1984. Boasting Scenic pathways, hidden hiking trails, stunning waterfalls and picnic spots, there are plenty of natural attractions and things to do while in the Grampians. Here are the top 10 Amazing facts about Grampians National park.

1. The Grampians occupies a 167,219-hectare piece of land

The 167,219 hectares (413,210 acres) national park is situated between Stawell and Horsham on the Western Highway and Dunkeld on the Glenelg Highway, 260 kilometres west of Melbourne and 460 kilometres east of Adelaide. The general form that the ranges take is from the west, a series of low-angled sandstone ridges running roughly north-south.

The eastern sides of the ridges, where the sedimentary layers have faulted, are steep and beyond the vertical in place 鈥 notably at the Hollow Mountain near Dadswells Bridge at the northern end of the rangers.

2. It is home to the largest Aboriginal rock art painting

Ngamadjidj’s animated art panel of white-painted dancing, squatting and standing figures at the Grampians National Park photo by Rexness from Melbourne, Australia –

Traditionally known as Gariwerd, the region is home to the largest number of significant and ancient Aboriginal rock art paintings and shelters in Southern Australia. The region has been home to the Djab Wurrung and Jardwardjali people for over 20,000 years and contains the densest concentrati0on of art paintings and the largest assemblage of Aboriginal art Motifs in Victoria.

The Grampians is a deeply spiritual place that plays a central role in the dreaming of both the Djab Wurrung and the Jardwardjali indigenous people.

An important site in the indigenous landscape, the Grampians (known as Gariwerd) was a source of food, water and shelter, as well as spiritual significance evidence of the indigenous habitat at this, stretches back into antiquity and in fact, Gariwerd is home to 90% of Victoria鈥檚 rock art site.

3. It has stunning flora and fauna

This is a picture of the Grampians flora, VIC. Naturally formed cliff faces weathered down over millions of years photo by IDK Ramen –

The Grampians National Park is home to hundreds of species of flora and fauna, some of which are unique to the entire area. Visitors are guaranteed to see kangaroos, parrots and cockatoos during the visit.

The area also has some of Australia鈥檚 shyer native animals like the Kuala, short-beaked echidna, platypus and Southern brown bandicoot.

4. The Grampians was designed as a state forest in 1872

Major Thomas Mitchel Chose the 鈥渢he Grampians鈥 after the rugged region in his native Scotland. The Grampians soon became a centre for farming, mining and timber production and a source of water for surrounding farmland.

The Grampians was designated as a state forest in 1870 and declared a national park in 1984. More than 800,000 people visit the Grampians each year.

5. The park rangers were formed over millions of years

Briggs Bluff Walk, Grampians National Park, Victoria Australia photo by
Rexness from Melbourne, Australia –

The iconic, rugged ranges of the Grampians were millions of years in the making of course continue to evolve. The Sandstone that composes the Grampians鈥 highest park was laid down from rivers flowing in the Devonian period, 425 -415 years ago.

Gradually the sediment accumulated and was raised and tilted to its present form. The Southern Ocean reached the base of the mountain range about 40 million years ago. Mount William remains the Grampians鈥 highest peak and numerous waterfalls thunder throughout the ranges.

6. The Grampians was 50% burnt out by a major bushfire

Photo by Landon Parenteau on

A major bushfire burnt about 50% of the Grampians National park in January 2006. Soon afterwards the first signs of regeneration were already visible with, the regrowth of the eucalyptus trees.

Main trees exhibit epicormic growth, where a mass of young shoots sprouts along the whole length of the trunk of the base of the tree.

7. The Grampians National park survived a major flooding incident

Photo by Stephen Andrews on

In January 2011, five years later after the wild bushfire, heavy rains in the Grampians triggered more than 190 landslides, some of which were up to 3km long and caused considerable damage to the park.

The majority of the landslides were debris flow triggered by 1 in 100-year rainfall and following this, it forced the closure of some parts of the Grampians National Park for several months.

8. The park has an Awe-inspiring landscape

Briggs Bluff Walk, Grampians National Park, Victoria Australia photo by Rexness from Melbourne, Australia –

The Grampians is famous for its breathtaking natural sandstone mountain ranges which offer panoramic views across the landscapes. Although hiking is a popular pastime in this part of the state, it is possible to take in some incredible mountain views without a tent and hiking boots.

The Grampians are a series of five spectacular sandstone ridges running north to south with steep and craggy slopes on the eastern side and gathering gentler slopes to the west. They are the result of earth movements lifting and tilting the hard sandstones to create an impressive landscape of peaks and valleys.

9. The Grampians National Park hosts the Grampians Grape Escape festival

Photo by Michael Fousert on

Grampians National park is home to one of Australia鈥檚 longest-running food and wine festivals, Grampians Grape Escape. The festival is held over the first weekend of May in Halls Gap every year.

Launched in 1992, the Grampians Grape Escape is a hallmark event for Victoria and provides food and wine offerings by more than 100 local artisan producers, live music and family entertainment.

10. It was listed on the National Heritage list

The Grampians national park was listed on the National Heritage List on 15 December 2006 for its outstanding natural beauty and being one of the richest Aboriginal rock art sites in south-eastern Australia.

It is one of the richest indigenous rock art sites in South-eastern Australia and was listed on the National Heritage List for its natural beauty as well as its past and continuing aboriginal cultural associations.

 

 

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