Seven Places to Cool Off in Gariwerd This Summer
Summer in the Grampians is hot. Not unbearably so, but the kind of dry, eucalyptus-scented heat that makes you think about water a lot.
The good news: Gariwerd has swimming holes, lakes, waterfalls, and creeks that are genuinely worth the walk or the drive. Here are seven of our favourites.
1. Venus Baths
Natural sandstone pools fed by a creek, a short walk from the Grampians Road car park. Best in the morning when the light filters through the tree canopy. Bring shoes you don’t mind getting wet.
2. Clematis Falls Pool
The pool at the base of Clematis Falls is small but deep and cool. The walk in is only 1km from the Halls Gap Recreation Reserve — kangaroos often line the path. Best after recent rainfall when the falls are full.
3. Lake Bellfield
The reservoir below Boroka Lookout is popular for a reason — calm water, a grassy foreshore, and the ranges as a backdrop. Check current swimming conditions before you go; access points vary with water levels.
4. Lake Fyans
Further north, past Pomonal. The lake is wide and open with a good swim beach on the southern shore. Bring a picnic. It’s quieter than Halls Gap and worth the extra 20-minute drive.
5. Mackenzie Falls Base Pool
The pool at the bottom of Victoria’s largest waterfall is cold, dark, and memorable. The 900-step descent is worth it — the temperature difference at the bottom is remarkable on a 35-degree day.
6. Silverband Falls Pool
A short, flat walk from the Silverband car park leads to a small falls and a shallow pool. Good for kids. Shaded, peaceful, and rarely crowded on weekday mornings.
7. Halls Gap Creek
In the middle of town, along the main walking track by the oval. Easy access, no walking required. The creek runs year-round and has shaded spots along the bank. Not a swimming hole exactly, but a good place to sit with your feet in the water after a long hike.
Water levels and conditions vary with rainfall and season. Always check locally before heading out — the Nook team can tell you what’s running well when you arrive.
