Walks

The majestic Grampians are one of Southern Australia's most popular holiday spots. A magnet for bush walkers and rock climbers, there are several fine walks that begin right at Adair's back door. 

From Adair

-The summit walk takes hour and a half to reach the top of Mt Cassell, with commanding views over the Mount William Range to the south, the Sierra Range to the west, and Adair, Pomonal and the Grampians hinterland to the east.

-An alternative return route from the summit walk takes walkers along a four wheel drive track that follows the ridge before descending into the outskirts of Pomonal along Church Road back to the main Ararat/Halls Gap road, and back to Adair. The longer walk adds 2 hours to the summit trek.

-Easy (child-friendly) walks of between 15 and 20 minutes duration lead up to Cooee Rock, Honeycomb Rock and Rainbow Rock.

-The boundary walk is an easy walk for all ages. It follows the Adair boundary fence through the differing kinds of habitat the property straddles. You'll see a wide range of animal and plant species as you stroll this 50 minute walk. In spring and early summer enjoy the prolific wildflowers and bird species you'll encounter.

In the district

Pomonal Tunnel walk

This 3.2km track starts and finishes at the points where an old water tunnel was cut through the Mount William Range for Stawell's water supply in the 1880s. It rises 230m the top of the range with endless vistas of the plains to the east, then winds down the western slopes towards Lake Bellfield, providing spectacular views of the Sierra Range and Wonderland Ranges. Return via the same route. The walk takes about 3 hours and is well signposted. A self guided nature walk begins at the Pomonal Store and follows the same track.

Central Grampians walks

The Grampians are renown for a variety of walks through stunning landscapes for people of all ages and fitness levels. A comprehensive list of walks with maps and guides can be obtained from the  Brambuk National Park and Cultural Centre, 277 Grampians Rd, Halls Gap, open 9am - 5pm daily. Tel (03) 5361 4000 For those with Apple or Android mobile devices, Parks Victoria provides a free app called Parks Discovery, featuring interactive maps of the park that provide an overview of facilities, walking tracks and distances.

Local Attractions

The Pomonal Store is on the main road and has a small selection of grocery items, petrol and a cafe featuring FairTrade coffee and a range of cakes. Most significant about the Pomonal Store is that the proprietor Nadia knows everything there is to know about the district.

The Pomonal Market occurs on the last Sunday of each month at the local hall (at the Cherrytree Rd, Halls Gap road intersection) from 10am – 2pm. Goods such as homespun knitwear, antiques, Jewellery, flowers, plants, fresh produce and home-baked goods are on sale at the Village Market.

James McMurtrie’s Glass Blowing Studio and Gallery, at the bottom of Springwood Hill Rd offers a  range of stunning glass artworks that are inspired by the Grampians. Glass artist, James, also offers glass-blowing demonstrations. Open most days, or by appointment. 

Red Rock Olives is on the main road to Halls Gap and has tastings and lunch platters. They produce award-winning extra virgin olive oil, table olives, olive salt, artisan vinegars and more. They aim to produce their products sustainably and ethically, with a focus on providing a paddock-to-plate experience. Visit them from Friday to Monday, 10am to 5pm, including public holidays.

The Halls Gap Zoo is on the main road to Halls Gap: With 160 species of native & exotic mammals, reptiles and birds including meerkats, giraffe, cheetah, red panda, lemurs, macaws, wallabies and kangaroos. The zoo is Victoria’s largest regional zoo. Open 10am – 5pm DAILY (Closed Christmas Day)

Halls Gap Estate (also known as Fallen Giants). Just past the Halls Gap Zoo on the Halls Gap Road, this winery produces a great selection of Shiraz, Cabernet and Riesling. Thoroughly worth a visit. Open Wednesday – Friday, 12pm – 4pm; Saturday – Sunday 11am – 5pm and open 7 days in school holidays.
 

Moyston and the home of Aussie Rules.

In 1840, the land on which Adair now stands was a part of country that comprised the Lexington Run, a huge parcel of land that had been selected by pastoralist Horatio Wills. Unlike many of the selectors of the day, Wills did not have an antagonistic relationship with the traditional owners of the land, and his only son Thomas developed deep friendships with the Aboriginal children of the district, learning their language, hunting with them, and significantly, playing their games. One such game was a ball game played with relish by Aboriginal people called Marn Grook. 

Marn Grook was a running, kicking game centred around the possession of a ball made of animal skins stuffed with feathers and charcoal.  The object was to kick the ball into the air, where competitors would leap up to catch it in competition with other players. The catching competition was known as a "mark" in the in the local dialect.

Tom Wills went on to become a brilliant sportsman, excelling at cricket and playing a significant part in establishing a new winter sport to keep cricketers fit in the colder months. The new game was called Australian Rules football. Considered the founding father of the game, Wills brought many of the conventions of the game he played with his indigenous mates to the new sport. The first set of AFL rules, written in Tom Will's own handwriting, are now held in the archives of the Australian Football League.

The monument to Tom Wills with additional historic information can be seen in Moyston, 15 minutes drive along the Ararat Rd from Adair.

Eating Out

Eating Out : Pomonal

Barney’s Bar and Bistro is a great place to eat and drink and can be found on the main road in Pomonal. It’s open from Wednesday to Sunday. It is best to book if you want a meal 5356 6337. Travel time: 5 minutes.

Pomonal Estates is the local cellar door offering fabulous wines and our favorite beer. Brewer/owners Adam Atchison and Pepita Atchison serve coffee, cakes and light meals, but it's Adam's beers that steal the show. Open 10am - 5 pm Wed to Sun, or every day during school holidays. 2079 Pomonal Rd Pomonal (Stawell Rd beside Pomonal Store) 0448983248. Travel time: 5 minutes.

Red Rock Olive’s Cafe is open for lunch Friday to Monday, 10am to 5pm, incl public holidays. The cafe offers a “paddock to plate” experience featuring local ingredients served as a grazing platter, as well as focaccia, salads and home made sausage roll. Breakfast also available.  Travel Time: 6 minutes.

The Pomonal Store has a cafe offering tea, coffee, light meals, pies, pasties and cakes. Travel Time: 4 minutes.

Eating Out : Halls Gap

Black Panther Café | Shop 6, Stoney Creek, Halls Gap: Breakfast, lunch and dinner are all served at this licensed café with seating inside and out. Famous for their mouth watering gourmet Pizzas, with Takeaway options if you prefer. Open everyday 8am – 9pm – Ph 03 5356 4511  Travel Time: 15 minutes.

Halls Gap Bakery | Shop 3, Stoney Creek, Halls Gap: Fresh bread made daily as well as pies, pasties, sausage rolls, sandwiches, salad rolls, croissants, cakes, tarts, donuts and slices. Special occasion cakes to order as well as wedding cakes. Open daily. Ph 03 5356 4439  Travel Time: 15 minutes.

Halls Gap Hotel | 2262 Grampians Rd, Halls Gap: The Halls Gap Pub has a verandah with ample seating to sit out and enjoy the views during the warmer weather. The bistro inside has a fireplace for the cooler months and the front bar caters for simple meals. There is also a drive-through bottle shop. Open 7 nights a week from 6pm and lunch from Wednesday to Sunday 12pm – 2pm. Ph 03 5356 4566 Travel Time: 13 minutes.

Kookaburra Restaurant | 125-127 Grampians Rd, Halls Gap
A new menu featuring ‘pub’ style meals complimented by local Grampians wines as well as 4 different beers on tap. Open 6 nights a week, beer garden and lounge from 5pm and dinner from 6pm (Closed on Mondays) and lunch on Sunday is 12pm - 3pm.  – Ph 03 5356 4222  Travel Time: 15 minutes

Livefast Café | 97 Grampians Rd, Halls Gap
Our fave Halls Gap breakfast/lunch eatery, Livefast have an extensive menu for breakfast and lunch as well as an assortment of cakes to go with coffee or tea. Open 7 days a week from 7am. – Ph 03 5356 4400 Travel Time: 15 minutes.

Paper Scissors Rock Brew Co. | 119 Grampians Road Halls Gap.
Wide range of beers and ciders made on the premises and pub-style food, they don’t take bookings, but if you’re a big group calling them to see how busy they are may be wise. Open 11am – Late for beers etc, kitchen is open from 12pm – 8pm - Ph 03 5311 3709

Quarry Restaurant | Grampians Rd, Halls Gap Fully licensed with an a la carte menu and an extensive wine list including many local wines. Alfresco dining is also available and there is regular live entertainment. Open 6 Nights a week from 6pm – (Closed on Tuesdays). Open for pre-arranged group bookings at anytime. – Ph 03 5356 4858 Travel Time: 15 minutes.

Spirit of Punjab (Indian) | 161 Grampians Rd, Halls Gap. Traditional Indian food available to dine in at the restaurant or takeaway. Open 12–2:30pm, 5–9pm, 7 days a week. Ph 03 53564234 Travel Time: 16 minutes.

The Views Café, Bar & Restaurant | 394-404 Grampians Rd, Halls Gap. Located in the Grampians Motel Complex and featuring tastes from all over the world prepared by Italian & Australian Chefs. The restaurant offers cooked breakfasts, light lunches and a variety of dinner options with some of the best local and interstate wines. Open 7 days a week from 7:30am till late Travel Time 18 minutes.

Brambuk Cafe @ the cultural centre: Combine lunch with a visit to the Fascinating Brambuk Cultural Centre. 277 Grampians Rd, Halls Gap VIC 3381, Australia  Ph 03 5361 4000 Travel Time 18 minutes.

Wickens at the Royal Mail Hotel: 98 Parker Street, Dunkeld. A bit further afield but well worth the trip, the renown foodie haven the Royal Mail serves dinner 6:00pm to 9:00pm Wednesday to Sunday; and lunch from 12:00pm to 2:00pm Saturday and Sunday. They feature 5 course and 8 course Chef's Tasting Menus. Bookings are essential: Ph 03 5577 2241 Travel time 70 minutes (via Moysten - Dunkeld Rd)

"We loved the view from the deck, the board games, the DVDs - and being so close to the national park, we never had to worry about being bored! Adair was an amazing getaway!"