• Grampians

Heatherlie Quarry: The ugly, abandoned hole that created Melbourne

Melbourne's grandest buildings had much less grand beginnings.

• Brian Johnston

• Weekend getaways

Avue Retreat, Halls Gap accommodation review: Weekend away

About three hours' drive north-west of Melbourne, Halls Gap is nestled in the heart of the Grampians National Park, which has long been a mecca for bushwalkers and rock climbers.

• Cameron Houston

• Adventure holidays

Dulcet tones in the bush

Kay O'Sullivan is surrounded by sounds and sights of nature in this pure hideaway.

• Travel tips

Stay the night

David Reyne finds some cosy lodgings, from coastal getaways with open fires to inner-city Italian chic.

• Adventure holidays

Where passions bloom

Feeling like a weed in a manicured plot, Kate Armstrong embarks on a quest to find her inner gardener.

• Food and wine

Halls Gap - Places to See

Halls Gap (including Grampians National Park and Mafeking) Attractive town at the heart of one of Victoria's major tourist areas. Halls Gap is located on the floor of the picturesque Fyans Valley, 250 metres above sea-level. By road it is 251 km north-west of Melbourne via Ararat. It is essentially a tourist village at the eastern edge of Grampians National Park - one of the state's most outstanding natural features and a major destination for holidaymakers and bushwalkers. The main approaches are from the south (from Dunkeld on the Glenelg Highway), from the south-east (i.e., Ararat), from the east (via Stawell) and from the north (access is along a clearly signposted road which heads west off the Western Highway south of Horsham).

• Food and wine

Halls Gap - Fast Facts

Halls Gap (including Grampians National Park and Mafeking) Attractive town at the heart of one of Victoria's major tourist areas. Halls Gap is located on the floor of the picturesque Fyans Valley, 250 metres above sea-level. By road it is 251 km north-west of Melbourne via Ararat. It is essentially a tourist village at the eastern edge of Grampians National Park - one of the state's most outstanding natural features and a major destination for holidaymakers and bushwalkers. The main approaches are from the south (from Dunkeld on the Glenelg Highway), from the south-east (i.e., Ararat), from the east (via Stawell) and from the north (access is along a clearly signposted road which heads west off the Western Highway south of Horsham).

• Food and wine

Halls Gap - Eat

Halls Gap (including Grampians National Park and Mafeking) Attractive town at the heart of one of Victoria's major tourist areas. Halls Gap is located on the floor of the picturesque Fyans Valley, 250 metres above sea-level. By road it is 251 km north-west of Melbourne via Ararat. It is essentially a tourist village at the eastern edge of Grampians National Park - one of the state's most outstanding natural features and a major destination for holidaymakers and bushwalkers. The main approaches are from the south (from Dunkeld on the Glenelg Highway), from the south-east (i.e., Ararat), from the east (via Stawell) and from the north (access is along a clearly signposted road which heads west off the Western Highway south of Horsham).

• Food and wine

Halls Gap - Sleep

Halls Gap (including Grampians National Park and Mafeking) Attractive town at the heart of one of Victoria's major tourist areas. Halls Gap is located on the floor of the picturesque Fyans Valley, 250 metres above sea-level. By road it is 251 km north-west of Melbourne via Ararat. It is essentially a tourist village at the eastern edge of Grampians National Park - one of the state's most outstanding natural features and a major destination for holidaymakers and bushwalkers. The main approaches are from the south (from Dunkeld on the Glenelg Highway), from the south-east (i.e., Ararat), from the east (via Stawell) and from the north (access is along a clearly signposted road which heads west off the Western Highway south of Horsham).

• Food and wine

Halls Gap - Culture and History

Halls Gap (including Grampians National Park and Mafeking) Attractive town at the heart of one of Victoria's major tourist areas. Halls Gap is located on the floor of the picturesque Fyans Valley, 250 metres above sea-level. By road it is 251 km north-west of Melbourne via Ararat. It is essentially a tourist village at the eastern edge of Grampians National Park - one of the state's most outstanding natural features and a major destination for holidaymakers and bushwalkers. The main approaches are from the south (from Dunkeld on the Glenelg Highway), from the south-east (i.e., Ararat), from the east (via Stawell) and from the north (access is along a clearly signposted road which heads west off the Western Highway south of Horsham).