A 286-kilometre trail providing four-wheel-drive enthusiasts with unique driving and site-seeing experiences in the Grampians will undergo a major upgrade as part of a $600,000 State Government project.
The Grampians Drive is one of six trails involved in Victoria’s Iconic 4WD Adventures which include a new four-wheel-drive track-classification system.
Other routes across the state include 252km ‘easy’ Otways, ‘medium’ 625km Mallee, ‘difficult’ 222km Wonnangatta, ‘difficult’ 298km Snowy River and ‘very difficult’ 160km Davies drives.
Environment Minister Gavin Jennings launched Victoria’s Iconic 4WD Adventures, which completed the government’s $4 million four-wheel-drive program, late last week.
“Victoria’s Iconic 4WD Adventures project provides upgrades to routes as well as explanatory signs and guides that clearly describe the difficulty of the terrain using the same type of symbols that mark ski runs in the Alpine regions,” Mr Jennings said.
“This will assist people in their planning for their holidays and ensure they can complete their journey safely and enjoyably.”
Mr Jennings said Victoria had become the first Australian state to introduce a four-wheel-drive track classification system.
“Tourism is a vital industry for Victoria. Initiatives such as this are important to making tourism more accessible and user-friendly – especially when it makes it easier to get to some our most beautiful yet inaccessible regions.”
‘Medium’
The Grampians Drive, rated ‘medium’ in difficulty in dry conditions, features three legs – a 60km journey from Halls Gap to Buandik, a 136km stretch from Buandik to Dunkeld and a 90km return trip from Dunkeld to Halls Gap.
Parks Victoria, the Department of sustainability and Environment and Four Wheel Drive Victoria have been involved in the project.
“It is also about better educating drivers before they head out on their four-wheel-drive adventures,” Mr Jennings said.
In-depth details about the Grampians and all other drives in the program and other important information are available on websites www.iconic4wd.com.au or www.parkweb.vic.gov.au People can also call Parks Victoria on 13 1963.