Halls Gap is a small village located in the heart of the Grampians. This is where the "human presence" of the region is concentrated. The visitor information centre, a petrol station, several restaurants and cafes and a few shops are there. During our visit, we stayed at Halls Haven Holiday Units, located a few kilometers away from the village. This small friendly complex is ideal for relaxing. Far away from the road, every one can enjoy the silence. The units are located around a small pond with the Grampians as a backdrop. On site, visitors have access to different activities such as tennis, cycling or DVD rental. The self-contained accommodation is equipped with a full kitchen. In fact this is a perfect place for families and budget travelers who want to stay in Halls Gap!

The writers were guests of Halls Haven Holiday Units.

The Grampians are very important to the Aborigines from south-west Victoria. The national park is host to more than 80% of the state's Aboriginal rock art works sites. Only five, scattered to the four corners of the park, are open to the public. We feel truly privileged to have access to them. The Brambuk National Park & Cultural Centre located just outside of Halls Gap, in addition to being a building with stunning architecture, allows you to learn a lot about the history and culture of local Aboriginal communities. A must see!

We had no idea that the Northern Grampians had a Mediterranean climate and favorable complex sandy soils for olive trees. Whilst driving on the trails of the region, lost in the middle of nowhere, we stumbled upon the largest olive grove that we have ever seen: 28,000 olive trees planted on a property of 1,200 acres. Welcome to Toscana Olives. It is quite impressive especially when you do not expect to come across it! It is one of Australia's oldest groves. It produces extra virgin organic olive oils. The olives are cold pressed onsite immediately after picking. Actually it is possible to attend a tour of the pressing process at this time of year. It is really interesting to witness the behind the scenes of this production. If, like us, you love olive oil, make sure you stop at the farm gate shop for a tasting of their full range of award winning gourmet products. You will fall in love. The foodies that are not close by can also buy online. Our very favourite gourmet experience during our visit to the Grampians!

Win 1 bottle of Premium Organic Olive Oil (375 ml)!

The writers were guests of Toscana Olives.

Want to know where to sleep in the Grampians? We stayed in a special place around thirty kilometres northwest of Halls Gap. A country house overlooking a vast acreage immersed in the wonders of nature: Kangaroos in the Top Paddock. This house is the perfect place for a peaceful and restful stay. Because, trust us, long term travel can be exhausting! Staying in the comfort of this home away from home allows you to completely relax among the kangaroos that come to feed on the property while being able to admire an amazing view of the surrounding mountains. The house, indoor and outdoor, is furnished in style with attention to detail. Beyond a fully equipped modern kitchen, you can also enjoy a fireplace, barbecue, pergola, a collection of books, CDs and DVDs etc. During the three days of our stay, we had permanent sunshine. In short, everything you need to unwind and rejuvinate is right here waiting for you!

iPhoneography Oz was a guest of Kangaroos in the Top Paddock.

Between Adelaide and Melbourne, the Grampians are one of the most impressive natural sites in Victoria. These mountain ranges are a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. There are many hiking trails and climbing areas to be found. The few kilometers between Troopers Creek campground and top of Mount Difficult are beautiful. If you are not particularly fond of hiking, it is still possible to drive to amazing lookouts. The views from Boroka Lookout (photo) and Reeds Lookout are worth the drive. They are located a few kilometers east of Halls Gap, the charming little village that is used as a stopover in the area. On the road, keep your eyes open, the area is abundant with kangaroos.