What an incredible weekend it was at FedWalks 2025, held in the spectacular Grampians (Gariwerd) and co-hosted by the Grampians Bushwalking Club and Boroondara Bushwalking Club. With fewer than 20 members, the Grampians Bushwalking Club achieved something truly special, helping to deliver a seamless and memorable event for walkers from across the state.
There were 222 bushwalking participants representing 34 bushwalking clubs, from Sunraysia in the far northwest to Ben Cruachan in East Gippsland - a wonderful snapshot of Victoria’s vibrant bushwalking community.
You can now view all of the walks on the BWV website.
Next year, Federation Walks 2026 will be based in Portland and hosted by The Friends of the Great South West Walk.
Gisborne Bushwalking Club shares their FedWalks adventures:
Kim Kurdel - Fedwalks participant: A group of five from Gisborne Bushwalking Club stayed near Halls Gap, avoiding windy tent conditions. On the first day, I completed an easy-medium walk from Zumpsteins to Mackenzie Falls, including a climb to the top of the falls, enjoying views and wildflowers. After returning, the group enjoyed afternoon tea and later dinner followed by a talk by Parks Victoria about Gariwerd’s bushfire recovery program. On the second day, choosing a short, easy walk to Venus Baths, there I saw rock formations, wallabies, and made new friends. The trip ended with coffee in a scenic garden, after which I returned home with a booklet of Grampians walks and fond memories of a rewarding weekend.
Gail Davies led two walks, Pohlners loop and a section of the Grampians Peaks Trail at the southern end of the Grampians Range:
Day 1: Pohlners loop walk covered everything the Grampians has to offer, Views, rock hopping, sand paths and Banksia forests. Thanks to a little booklet "Flowers of the Grampians"; the 15 walkers were able to identify numerous flowers including the bitter pea, running postman, wax-lipped orchid, donkey orchid, as well as heath, correas, grevilleas and many more. During the walk we witnessed rock climbers and abseilers and everyone took a photo of Bird Rock. A few of the group scrambled along the 250m track to the top of Mt Stapleton before lunch, whilst the remainder of the group only walked part of the track to view the wind cave.
Day 2: Griffin Fireline to Cassidy Gap. After much consternation over the number of vehicles needed to do a 10km car shuffle, the group of 9 headed off on the walk. At the start of the track everyone had to clean their boots by walking through brushes and a disinfectant spray. The first 2km was along a sandy track, with flowering Xanthorrhoea trees and orchids. Then the climb started. Several sections of the track had stone steps and once on the top of the ridge there was more rock hopping. There were extensive views to the Victoria Valley in the west and the vast plains to the east. We had all fingers and toes crossed for the rain to stay away, but unfortunately, the heavens opened about 1.5km from the end of the walk. Every cloud has a silver lining, and within 10 minutes of the rain starting we arrived at the beautifully appointed Djardi-Djawara campsite, where we took refuge in the community shelter until the rain eased. The rain stopped just as quickly as it started, the sun came out again, and we all dried off in the 900m walk back to the cars.
Annie Gray and Mark Summers lead 2 walks over the weekend, Gardens of the Grampians (GotG) and Beehive and Gar Falls:
Day 1: GotG is a 10 Km loop, 531mt elevation that takes in Venus Baths, Splitters Falls, Grand Canyon and the iconic lookout, The Pinnacle. After a very overcast and wet morning, by the time that we started the walk the sky had cleared and we had perfect walking weather throughout the day. Having had recent rains, there was plenty of water in both Venus Baths and the falls. The wild flowers, orchids and natives were in bloom and the views all around, were breathtaking. The tracks were in good condition and the walks on the rock faces were well marked and the view from The Pinnacle was spectacular. From here, it was just 3+
Kms back to Halls Gap and afternoon tea.
Day 2: After a 20 minute drive and a car shuffle, we just wanted to get started. A short walk in from the trail head and it’s straight up Beehive Falls then along Briggs Bluff Walk before joining the Grampians Peaks Trail (GPT). Soon we joined the Gar Waterfalls Walk. This track takes in no less than 4 unique and beautiful waterfalls. With only 600mts left, we made it back to the cars just as a heavy shower struck, that would have drenched us all. Then it was back to Halls Gap and our farewells, paperwork for the leaders and, the long drive home.