Travellers planning a Labor Day long weekend visit to the Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park will face significant access changes, with Mackenzie Falls closed and several roads affected by bushfire recovery, flood damage and construction works.
Parks Victoria has confirmed a series of closures across key visitor areas, including one of the park’s most visited attractions.
Mackenzie Falls Closed for Major Works
The Mackenzie Falls (Migunang wirab) precinct is closed from 9 February 2026 to mid-year 2026 for major construction works.
The closure includes the car park and all walking tracks within the precinct, including the Mackenzie Falls Walk to the base (from the car park), Broken Falls Walk, Bluff Lookout Walk and sections of the Mackenzie Falls River Walk. There is no vehicle or pedestrian access to the Mackenzie Falls precinct during construction.
Works underway include a new viewing platform at the base of the falls, car park upgrades and walking track safety improvements. Parks Victoria anticipates construction will finish in the second half of the year.
Access via Zumsteins Picnic Area
Fish Falls remains accessible from Zumsteins Picnic Area via a 1.5 to 2-hour return Grade 3 walk.
Access to Fish Falls and the base of Mackenzie Falls from Zumsteins will remain possible up to and including the Autumn School Holidays. However, there will be a full closure of Zumsteins and Mackenzie Falls for one week prior to the Autumn School Holidays due to helicopter operations.
From May 2026 until works are complete, the base of Mackenzie Falls will be inaccessible. Fish Falls will continue to remain accessible from Zumsteins Picnic Area.
Visitors should note parking at Zumsteins may be limited during construction, particularly on public holidays and busy weekends.
Mount William Access Unavailable
Mt William Road is closed until further notice, and vehicle access to the Mount William summit car park is unavailable.
This affects visitors planning to drive to the highest point in the Grampians.
Walking Track Updates
Recovery works continue across sections of the park affected by the 2024/25 summer bushfires.
The central and southern sections of the Grampians Peaks Trail reopened for day walking in November 2025. However, several hike-in campgrounds remain closed while repairs continue, including Barri Yalug, Duwul, Durd Durd, Yarram and Wannon.
Drinking water is not available at hike-in campgrounds. Toilet facilities remain available at Borough Huts, Jimmy Creek, Kalymna and Wannon Crossing.
Elsewhere, Sundial Peak Walk and The Bleachers remain temporarily closed due to bushfire track damage. Alternative walks from Sundial Car Park, including The Pinnacle Walk and Lakeview Lookout Walk, remain open.
The eastern section of the Chatauqua Peak Loop and a minor section of the Grampians Peaks Trail are closed for upgrades from 9 February to 6 March 2026, with detours in place.
Road Conditions Across the Park
Parks Victoria’s Road Report dated 13 February 2026 confirms several ongoing road impacts.
Mitchell Road remains closed and impassable at the Mt William Creek crossing due to flood damage, with repair works in progress. Redman Road is also closed due to flood damage.
Serra Road is listed as closed from Monday 16 February for two weeks between 6am and 7pm, though it remains open on weekends.
Asses Ears Road is subject to a partial closure, with the section between Lodge Road and Brimpaen Road closed.
Billywing Road remains open.
Road conditions may change depending on weather and ongoing repair works. Visitors are encouraged to check the latest Road Report before travelling.
What Remains Open
Despite the closures, many popular day visitor sites remain accessible, including Reeds Lookout, the Balconies, Boroka Lookout and Silverband Falls.
What Travellers Should Know
Visitors heading to the Grampians over the Labor Day weekend should review the Parks Victoria Change of Conditions page and the latest Road Report before departure.
Similar short-notice changes have affected other national parks in recent months, including Thurra River Campground in East Gippsland, which recently reopened briefly before closing again.
Thurra River Campground reopened briefly before closing again
Allow extra travel time, expect increased demand at open lookouts and walking tracks, and carry offline maps as mobile coverage can be limited in parts of the park.
The Bottom Line
The Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park remains open, but access has changed significantly due to construction, bushfire recovery and flood repairs.
Travellers planning a visit should confirm current conditions before setting off to avoid arriving at closed roads or walking tracks.
