Grampians Peaks Trail opens with aplomb at Mount Zero ceremony

In attendance were representatives of all levels of government, from shire councils to state and Federal ministers, as well as members of the Grampians National Park Advisory Group and traditional owner groups.

The opening of the trail is the culmination of a project that has been in the works since 2014, with stages of the track already open from

Parks Victoria board chair John Pandazopoulos, Victorian Minister for Energy, the Environment and Climate Change, Lily D'Ambrosio and Federal Minister for Tourism and member for Wannon Dan Tehan, spoke at the event.

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Member for Mallee, Dr Anne Webster and state member for Lowan Emma Kealy were also in attendance to open the 160km mountain trek.

Members of traditional owner groups, led by Eastern Maar's Paul Kelly, performed a welcome to country to initiate the ceremony, before Ms D'Ambrosio and Mr Tehan gave speeches.

The trail has already generated an enormous amount of interest, with over 1400 bookings in place by Friday, even as the price of camping along the trail has raised concerns with some.

The multi-million dollar trail's route meanders through the national park, passing through Halls Gap before reaching Dunkeld on the mountain range's southern tip.

Along the way walkers can enjoy the scenery of Redman Bluff, Major Mitchell Plateau and Mt Abrupt, among other locations.

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Federal member for Mallee, Dr Anne Webster said the trail will attract tourists to see the stunning sites the Grampians has to offer and embark on a new adventure.

"This is good news for Halls Gap and beyond. This trail will showcase the beautiful landscape of Grampians National Park while fostering growth in the region through trade and tourism," Dr Webster said.

"Small businesses will be given a much-needed boost from tourists which this new trail is sure to attract. Retailers, accommodation providers, restaurants, spas, transport services, adventure companies, to name a few, will benefit from the Grampians Peaks Trail.

"This truly is a beautiful part of the world that so many more people will experience now and for decades to come. I am looking forward to walking part of it myself."

According to the Victorian government, the Grampians Peaks Trail project supported 175 jobs during construction and will allow for another 55 ongoing jobs.

The project aims to increase the total number of walkers using the Grampians Peaks Trail from 13,800 in 2015 to over 34,000 walkers by 2025.

Overall, this will inject more than $6 million into the Victorian economy.

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Northern Grampians Shire Council Mayor, Cr Tony Driscoll said the trail is set to be a true feather in the cap of everything on offer for visitors to the iconic Grampians.

"Pre-COVID-19 the Grampians attracted thousands of visitors from all over the world and was an extremely popular destination for Victorians for long weekends and school holidays.

"As locals, we all love to take visiting friends and family to Halls Gap and the Grampians. It is such a majestic mountain range with so many lovely outlooks, caves, waterfalls aplenty and a habitat for very rare Australian flora and fauna such as the endemic orchids and the Tiger Quoll.

"I think the Grampians Peaks Trail will see our region recognised by walkers the world over as a stunning, scenic walk that will rival some of the great walks in Tasmania, New Zealand, the UK, everywhere.

"When the weary walkers return to base our Halls Gap restaurants, cafes and ice-creameries will be a welcome reward for their exertion too."

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