There are many historical sites in the Grampians National Park. It has most of the aboriginal sites in Victoria. There is also plenty of European historical sites in and around the Grampians.

ABORIGINAL HERITAGE

Aboriginal people had an association with the Grampians for thousands of years. Aboriginal culture plays a large part, with about 80% of Victoria's art sites in the Grampians.

The Brambuk Aboriginal Cultural Centre, adjacent the National Park Visitor Centre south of Hall's Gap, is where you can learn about the aboriginal culture of the area.

The western and northern sections of the Grampians contain the most accessible sites. Wartook Gardens is ideally situated to visit most of these sites.

Approx. 20 mins from Wartook Gardens

• Ngamadidjidj Shelter
  Near Mt Zero, the walk from the carpark is 50 metres and suitable for people with limited mobility.

• Gulgurn Manja Shelter - "hands of young people"
  Near Mt Zero. A short uphill stroll of 500 metres leads to the shelter. Signs tell some stories and legends of the people and mountains.

Approx 45 mins from Wartook Gardens

• Bunjil's Shelter
  Black Range Forest, Pomonal-Stawell Road
  This short 10 minute walk leads to a rock shelter painting which illustrates the legendary hero Bunjil, the creator, who, according to the dreaming, provided all needs.

• Billimina Shelter
  Buandik Picnic Area, Billywing Rd, off Henty Highway (1.7 km circuit, medium grade). From the Buandik picnic area, follow cultivation creek upstream to Buandik Falls (best after rain). A short uphill walk from the falls leads to the shelter. A massive rock overhang with fascinating rock art.

About 60 mins from Wartook Gardens

• Manja Shelter
  Off Harrap Track, via Glenelg River Road and Henty Highway.
  Start this gentle uphill walk (I hr return, easy grade) from the carpark through forest and past rocky outcrops. A series of boardwalks protects the moist heathland near the shelter.

EUROPEAN HERITAGE

Major Thomas Mitchell was the first European to visit the area in 1836. Mitchell's favourable reports encouraged squatters to move there in the 1840's, and the whole area was quickly settled. Mining in the 1890's, and timber harvesting brought many additional people to the area. The Grampians area is the source for the Wimmera-Mallee Stock and Domestic Water Supply Scheme, the largest of its type in the world. Lake Wartook, the oldest reservoir, was built in 1886.

Heatherlie Quarry
Mt Zero Rd, 14 km north of Hall's Gap
The former Mt Difficult quarry was once one of the most important stone sites in Victoria, famous for its high yield of Grampians Freestone. Many famous Melbourne buildings, including the GPO, State Library and Parliament House were built using this stone. Extraction is now only permitted for repairs.

The Grampians National Park Information Centre can provide further details of other historic sites.