Mud-Dadjug to Dunkeld
Scrambling, views, wildflowers, cliff ladders, peaceful farmland and an Aussie country town
We respectfully acknowledge the Djab Wurrung and Jardwardjali people as the traditional custodians of the lands and waters of Gariwerd.
Fun scrambling, final views
Your final day on the Grampians Peaks delivers yet again in variety and views. You’ll have rocky scrambling beside giant boulders as above, as well as forest on the easy terrain on the flats. There is the gentle bump of Bainggug (The Picanninny), followed by its big sister, Wurgurrie (Mt Sturgeon). You descend the precipitous southern face of Wurgurrie via a beaut series of ladders, and then it’s rolling, gum-studded farmland into Dunkeld, a quintissential Aussie country town: overseas visitors especially will be delighted. Orchid enthusiasts will be thrilled too — the area around Wurgurrie is famous for its spring wildflowers. It is a fitting climax to a world class hike.
Todays elevation profile shows the descent from Mud-Dadjug, followed by the climbs up Bainggug and Wurgurrie: 14.8km/9.2mi with 510m/1670ft cumulative elevation gain, and 810m/2660ft elevation loss.
Today’s trail has a mix of easy terrain with smooth surfaces, particularly on the flats and into town, but also some steep and rocky climbs and a little easy scrambling on the initial descent from Mud-Dadjug. In good weather, you’ll have grand views from Wurgurrie and the track here, while steep and rocky, requires only walking.
How to Make Today Easier
Today’s hike has plenty of elevation gain and loss initially, but the final three kilometres into town are along farm tracks through gently rolling country: tired legs won’t have a climb at the end of the day!
Everyone’s packs should be light by now, whether you have done food drops or not, with only the day’s lunch and snacks. Top up with water at the tank by the track crossing from Picanninny East Car Park.
The best way to make today easier is to give yourself plenty of time. If you have not left your car in Halls Gap, the scheduled track transfer bus back leaves Dunkeld around 3 pm, which may be rushed for slower hikers. Therefore, if you have done any kind of track transfer, arrange it so that your own car is left at your accommodation in Dunkeld so you have no deadline. Alternatively, arrange a transfer with Experience The Grampians: they will pick you up at a pre-arranged time of your choice. However, we strongly recommend that slower hikers plan to spend a night in Dunkeld.
Similarly, if you are catching transport back to Melbourne, arrange to leave the following day and stay the night in Dunkeld. We have more details on logistics in the Tips and Planning for the Southern Section as well as for the overall GPT.
Pub opening times were somewhat sporadic at the time of writing, but fear not: various cafes, bar and grills have stepped into the breach. Ring to check times when you are on your rest day in Halls Gap!
Walk with Us:
The track as you leave the hut is so smooth an manicured, it’s as if you are walking through a garden…
…but soon it becomes rocky with boulders, steps and easy scrambles.
Being at a lower elevation, you will now have quite a different view across the Victoria valley.
Pink Fingers (Caladenia carnea), with some of the largest flowers I’ve seen in the species.
The trail is rough and rocky but, if you have taken our advice and are staying the night in Dunkeld, you have plenty of time.
Calytrix tetragona Grampians form
and a white Pink Fingers.
The understory on the lower reaches around Buanggig and Wurgurrie are wonderfully rich in flora and the walking is easy. The day is overcast so no sun orchids are out, though I see many with closed buds.
Fortunately, the sun is out the next day, so we backtrack and spend the morning orchid-hunting. Here the Peppertop Sun Orchid, (Thelymitra brevifolia)
…and the Slender Sun Orchid, T. pauciflora complex
Approaching Wurgurrie.
Many, many orchids. A donkey orchid Diuris orientis and
… a Hornet Orchid, Diuris sulphurea
Even though you’re nearly down on the flats, you still have views. It’s a complete delight.
We’ve seen glimpses of these shy Swamp Wallabies (Wallabia bicolor) but they spook easily and are difficult to capture without a long lens. This mum and bub were a bit more relaxed.
Another new find on the trail, the Plain-Lipped Spider Orchid, Caladenia clavigera.
Phew! More steps!
Plenty of climbing, but with yet more beautiful steps to aid tired legs.
Thelymitra juncifolia
Wonderful views from Wurgurrie are worth the climb! There’s Bainggug foreground, with Mt Abrupt and Mud-Dadjug behind. It’s possible to see the hut from here when the light is right.
The White Spider Orchid, Caladenia venusta. You can be tricked because there are a half dozen or so whitish spider orchid species in the region!
… and an interesting hybrid, C. tentaculata x venusta
Still descending the southern flanks. It is windy and bitterly cold despite the sunshine.
A native bee pollinating a Slender Sun Orchid
Pink Sun Orchid (Thelymitra carnea)
Dunkeld proper is just out of frame to the left.
Steep and rocky, but not for much longer…
… instead, fun stairs down the precipitous face!
Finally onto the lower flanks. You will likely be thinking about what you will order for dinner tonight!
Still, there is more to enjoy in these last few kilometres. On the 1,000 km Bibbulmun Track, we noticed that many hikers started counting down the days to the end. The goal overshadowed the journey. Our approach — with the luxury of time — was that we were simply living on the track for a while, and going for a walk in our back yard every day.
On a shorter hike like the GPT, this is much more difficult, because you don’t have the opportunity to slot into life on the track as you do in long-distance thru-hikes. Nevertheless, it’s worth reminding yourself to enjoy and be grateful for every moment, even when hot showers, cold beer and calorie dense pub meals are beckoning!
A glance back at Wurgurrie…
And to the river flats.
It is a gentle end to what has been a magnificent hike.
Under majestic ancient River Red Gums…
… to the art walk on the outskirts of town.
Wide country streets and someone walking what is probably a pet judas sheep. You’re there!
Scrubbed up and smiling: the obligatory selfie at the Visitor Centre official finish the following morning.
The Grampians Peaks Trail is a truly extraordinary and marvellous multiday hike. We have no doubt that it will soon be classed as one of Australia’s Great Walks, together with tracks like the Overland, Cape to Cape, Three Capes and Larapinta. Geoff and I can’t recommend this new hike highly enough and, with the right itinerary, it is excellent for slower hikers. So what are you waiting for: start planning!
