Rain, Rock Slabs & Remarkable Women

Some adventures stay with you long after the walking boots have been put away, and our recent Northern Grampians adventure was certainly one of them.

Ten Diamonds – Sandra, Jackie W, Kay, Leaenda, Meagan, Jo W, Beulah, Linda, Therese and Michele – made their way to Halls Gap from near and far, travelling by plane and car, ready to take on five days of adventure with Coach Kalina.

As we gathered, introduced ourselves and settled into our hotel, there was a real sense of excitement about what lay ahead. Of course, there was also plenty of discussion about what to pack, what we might need and, perhaps most importantly, just how heavy those packs were going to be! Little did we know quite how much those conversations would feature over the coming days.

Looking back, it wasn't just the spectacular landscapes or the kilometres we covered that made this trip memorable. It was the little moments, the shared challenges, the laughter, the encouragement and the feeling of being part of something special.

Waterfalls, Views & a Five-Star Campsite

Our first morning began with the all-important gear check. Every pack was scrutinised, luxuries were questioned and a few unnecessary items were quickly sent back to the hotel. When you're carrying everything on your back for three days, you soon learn that every gram counts!

Setting off from Roses Gap, we followed a beautiful series of waterfalls before taking on the Pacific Ocean Wall and climbing towards Briggs Bluff. It was a big first day, with plenty of climbing and some spectacular scenery to keep us motivated.

There were plenty of kilometres to cover, but with beautiful scenery to enjoy and good company along the way, the day passed at a steady pace. And just when we thought we'd reached the end of our walking for the day, there was a lovely surprise waiting for us, Gar Camp. The huts are so cleverly tucked into the landscape that they almost seem to materialise out of nowhere. Four mattresses in each hut and incredible views across the escarpment – what more could you ask for?

After a long day on our feet, we certainly appreciated the little luxuries waiting for us. Cheese and dips, a delicious curry, local wine and chocolate for dessert. It felt like five-star accommodation in the middle of the wilderness!

It was one of those evenings where you sit back, take in the surroundings and realise just how lucky you are to be there.

Distance: 9.6km | Ascent: 516m

Rain, Rock Slabs & Resilience

If the first day tested our legs, day two tested our resilience!

The rain rolled in overnight and continued through the morning, putting an end to our planned sunrise hike up Gar. Not quite the start we'd hoped for, but there was no shortage of enthusiasm as we packed up and prepared for another day on the trail.

What followed was probably one of the toughest stages of our adventure. Kilometre after kilometre of sloping sandstone rock slabs, wet underfoot and seemingly never-ending. It was the sort of terrain that demanded your full attention. There was no switching off, no simply putting one foot in front of the other without thinking. Every step needed care, concentration and a little bit of courage.

It would have been easy to become frustrated by the weather and the challenging conditions, but what struck me most was how the group responded. There was encouragement, patience, laughter and a genuine willingness to look out for one another. Everyone found their own rhythm, and we kept moving forward together.

Arriving at Werdug Camp, overlooking Lake Wartook, brought an enormous sense of achievement. Once again, those wonderfully camouflaged huts provided a welcome retreat, with views across the ranges that made the effort of getting there all the more worthwhile.

Dinner was a delicious lamb stew followed by a deconstructed apple crumble. The custard may have looked like it had also walked 15 kilometres over wet rock slabs, but that certainly didn't stop us polishing off dessert!

And then there was the evening entertainment, courtesy of Leaenda, with a quiz on collective nouns. Who knew there was so much to learn? A flamboyance of flamingos will certainly be remembered!

It was a tough day, but very rewarding.

Distance: 15km | Ascent: 521m | Descent: 462m

Finishing Strong

By our final morning, there were certainly some tired legs and a few muscles making themselves known, but spirits remained high. We'd come this far and were determined to finish strong.

The trail towards Halls Gap offered another beautiful mix of thick forest, incredible views and one final highlight – Clematis Falls. It was the perfect place to pause, catch our breath and reflect on what we'd accomplished over the previous three days.

Standing there, I couldn't help but think about how far we'd come since setting off from Roses Gap. Three days of walking, challenging climbs, slippery rocks, wet weather and plenty of moments that had pushed us outside our comfort zones.

The final descent into Halls Gap brought a mixture of relief, tiredness and, perhaps a little unexpectedly, a sense of sadness that our time on the trail was coming to an end.

Back in town, we celebrated in the best possible way – an early dinner, a local craft beer and plenty of stories about the highs, lows and funny moments along the way.

There was a lot to celebrate, and we'd certainly earned it!

Distance: 13km | Ascent: 198m | Descent: 587m

More Than Just a Hike

As I reflect on our Northern Grampians adventure, what stands out most isn't the distance we walked, the elevation we climbed or even the spectacular scenery, although all of those things were pretty special.

It's the people it was shared with- it always is!

It's the conversations around the dinner table on that first night, the shared nerves about our packs, the encouragement when the track became difficult, the laughter when things didn't quite go to plan and the satisfaction of reaching camp together at the end of each day.

There were wet boots, tired legs, challenging terrain , but there were also breathtaking views, wonderful friendships and always moments of laughter.

A huge congratulations to Sandra, Jackie, Kay, Leanda, Meagan, Jo W, Beulah, Linda, Therese and Michele. Thank you for the laughter, the encouragement, the good humour and for making this such a special adventure.

And, of course, a very big thank you to Coach Kalina for making sure we knew what and the when of the trip.

The Grampians gave us everything – beautiful waterfalls, dramatic landscapes, challenging rock slabs, rain, sunshine and some unforgettable campsites. But the greatest gift was the experience of sharing it all with such an amazing group of women.

The memories will last much longer than the kilometres, and I wouldn't have missed it for the world.