Grampians National Park Eco Tour From Melbourne: A Detailed Review
Getting out of Melbourne for a bit, so it’s almost a must when you’re in town, involves a whole pile of options, but one that seems to keep popping up is the Grampians National Park Eco Tour. With the promise of wildlife sightings, views that really stretch, and a taste of local culture, that is something which really grabs your attention, isn’t it? So, I recently tried it out and wanted to give you the rundown – no holding back!
First Impressions and Booking
Making reservations, it turns out, was pretty easy. The website looked good, that’s to say the information was up-front, and the process was nice and clear. There were loads of departure points scattered across Melbourne, which definitely makes life a bit simpler. Price-wise, so the tour wasn’t dirt cheap, yet it sat squarely in the mid-range compared with similar trips. Anyway, you usually get what you pay for, I always say. Before you click to confirm, ensure you’ve scanned through all the details; some tours, arguably, might have extras (like meals) factored into their costs.
The Ride and the Guide
Hopping on the bus, it’s almost expected that a lot of your trip enjoyment comes down to the guide, doesn’t it? Well, on this tour, they truly did shine. Really knowledgeable about the region’s wildlife, its background, and the Aboriginal history attached to the Grampians (Gariwerd), this person clearly loves what they do. Actually, they kept things interesting with little tales, funny comments, and, basically, tons of random knowledge drops. The bus, too it’s almost expected, was comfy and had those viewing windows – big tick from me!
Exploring the Highlights
Mackenzie Falls really did steal the show. The path to reach them, in a way, does involve quite a few steps, so keep that in your mind if you struggle a bit with mobility, right? Though, getting close to such dramatic falls is an awesome experience. Next, it’s typical to hit Reeds Lookout, and oh my gosh, the views really are outstanding! You see the hills sprawling all around you, plus Lake Wartook shimmering way down below. After this, we moved on to Boroka Lookout, which apparently is another top photo stop and the guide knew exactly how to find the best spots for photos – perfect if you want some Instagram gold. I am a little ashamed to say I got some selfies!
Wildlife Encounters
You see, one thing many people want when they come to Australia is, naturally, the chance to spot the native animals, right? The Grampians, seemingly, has heaps of wildlife hanging about. We saw kangaroos just chilling in open areas and heaps of different bird types. While we didn’t see any, yet supposedly there are also koalas lurking, so it’s always a case of keeping your eyes peeled, right? Your guide is really helpful, often pointing out critters that you’d usually miss.
Aboriginal Culture and History
I suppose one of the cooler aspects of this tour was, of course, getting to know the Aboriginal background connected to the Grampians. We went to Brambuk – The National Park and Cultural Centre, and learnt heaps regarding the local Djab Wurrung and Jardwadjali people. Learning about their ancient history and how they lived alongside this country makes the park feel way more meaningful, really.
Food and Comfort Stops
Okay, no one wants to spend hours on a bus needing the bathroom, right? So the tour did well providing regular comfort stops. Lunch, more or less, wasn’t part of our particular package, though there was a quick stop at Halls Gap where you could pick something up. You may want to, if food is key for you, check what’s included when booking. Alternatively, pack a sandwich; saves cash, eh?
What Could be Improved?
So, most bits were amazing. I guess a minor thing might be more time at Mackenzie Falls; felt a tad rushed, that’s to say it was hard to really soak it all in before moving again. Probably a bit longer to eat at Halls Gap, in other words the queues were fairly big in the shop when many folks from the coach showed up all together.
Is This Tour For You?
Who’d get the most out of this tour, more or less? If you enjoy getting outdoors, looking at views that really impress, plus spotting animals, basically this is one that ticks the boxes. Individuals eager to discover a bit regarding Aboriginal background, then it is definitely interesting. It could be good for single people, mates travelling together, or families that have older kids; the steps at the falls are perhaps not great for pushchairs, in that case.
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