The Grampians is renowned as one of Victoria’s most popular family-friendly destinations. From breathtaking mountain views and glistening waters to wildlife encounters and thrilling outdoor adventures, a family holiday in the Grampians makes memories that last a lifetime.
We’ve rounded up the best family-friendly experiences to help you begin planning.
Whether you’re an animal enthusiast or interested in learning more about Australia’s diverse wildlife, then Halls Gap Zoo is a must-visit attraction to add to your Grampians itinerary.
Nestled in the Grampians Mountain ranges with a view of the Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park, Halls Gap Zoo is home to over 120 species of native & exotic mammals, reptiles and birds.
Victoria’s largest private regional zoo, you can expect to see cheetahs, giraffes, meerkats, monkeys, red pandas, bison, kangaroos, Tasmanian devils, wombats, crocodiles, dingoes and even more.
Halls Gap Zoo offers once-in-a-lifetime experiences for the whole family with their personal animal encounters, including:
Come face-to-face with the fastest land animal. In this new encounter, you will have the chance to act as a zookeeper and feed these beautiful creatures.
Discover the fascinating world of the dingo, Australia's only native dog species. This encounter allows you to pat and spend time with these friendly animals and their dedicated keepers.
Meet these gentle giants with a unique hand-feeding experience. Despite their impressive size, giraffes have gentle hearts and enjoy being fed by people. Don’t believe us? You’ll just have to experience it for yourself.
Australia is home to over 700 different lizard species and Halls Gap Zoo has an entire encounter dedicated to these fascinating creatures. Visitors can explore the collection of cold-blooded reptiles, learning about their habitats, diet and how they regulate their body temperature. With so many interesting lizard species in Australia, it's no wonder that this encounter is so popular.
Meerkats are typically known to be shy creatures, but the ones at Halls Gap Zoo are happy to welcome visitors with open arms. During this experience, you will have them crawling and climbing over you as you feed them. It's a unique opportunity to interact with these adorable and curious animals.
A unique and rare opportunity, the Red Panda encounter at Halls Gap Zoo is the only one of its kind in Victoria. Get close-up to these adorable animals and feed them from the palm of your hand.
Come and join the Rhino Rumble - an opportunity to have a close encounter with a 2-tonne Southern White Rhino. You will be able to spend time with the animal and the keepers as they go about their daily routines. The activities may include scratching, feeding and even giving the rhino a spa treatment.
Experience what it's like to be a zookeeper for a day with this ultimate encounter. You will have the opportunity to spend the whole day with a keeper, helping with the maintenance of the animals’ enclosures, preparing enrichments, and feeding. Whether you choose to do it for the morning or for the full day, this hands-on experience will give you a deeper understanding of what it takes to care for the animals and how a zoo operates.
Note: Varying minimum age limits apply to each of the Animal Encounters. Find out more information here.
The Grampians is an adventure-lovers paradise. Older kids and adults can experience the thrill of rock climbing and abseiling with Absolute Outdoors and Hangin’ Out in the Grampians.
If your family prefers an adventure closer to the ground, try Absolute Outdoors’ guided walks, canoeing or Stand-Up Paddle-boarding. All experiences are customised to your family’s skills and suitable for all ages.
Halls Gap is also home to Grampians Adventure Golf, an exciting 18-hole course set amongst an oasis of enchanting bushlands and landscaped gardens. Go head-to-head with family members as you navigate water features, tunnels, twists and turns… all in the effort to hit a hole-in-one. After spending a few hours on the course, families can refuel at the onsite Adventure Café Bar. With a range of homemade food and delightful desserts teamed with speciality barista coffee, local wines and boutique beers, settle in and embrace the serenity along with a delicious meal.
It’s time to reconnect with nature and your loved ones with a camping getaway in the Grampians. The region hosts a number of family-friendly holiday parks and camping sites perfect for creating longstanding memories together.
Located beside the stunning Lake Bellfield, Halls Gap Lakeside Tourist Park is ideal for families who relish the great outdoors. Experience genuine bush camping with modern amenities and facilities. Listen to the sweet sounds of birdsong while devouring a glass of wine while the kids splash in the on-site heated pool. The Park also supplies kayaks for exploring Lake Bellfield.
Just 15 minutes from Halls Gap, Lake Fyans Holiday Park rewards families with stunning views of pristine waters and mountain ranges. Choose from a spacious powered campsite or check into a modern cabin. Families will love the onsite tennis court, solar panel heated pool, jumping pillow, adventure playground and many fishing spots.
While it can be tough to lure the kids away from the delights of the campground, make sure you check out nearby waterfalls, lakes and some of the country’s oldest Aboriginal rock art. They’ll love the adventure.
