You’ve booked a few days in Halls Gap, ready to hike to spectacular lookouts, chase waterfalls and spend as much time as possible exploring the Grampians.
Then you arrive and it’s raining. And not just a quick shower – the forecast says it could be wet for most of your visit.
That was exactly what happened to us. Low cloud meant there were no views from the lookouts, and we had one day when rain was forecast almost continuously.
The good news is that a rainy day doesn’t have to ruin your trip. There are wineries and local producers to visit, galleries and indoor attractions to explore, good places to eat and even a few outdoor options if the weather isn’t too wild.
Here are some of the best things to do in Halls Gap when it’s raining.
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About Halls Gap and the Grampians
Halls Gap sits in the heart of Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park in western Victoria, around three hours’ drive from Melbourne.
The area is known as Gariwerd and has deep cultural significance for the Djab Wurrung and Jardwadjali Traditional Owners.
Most people come to the Grampians for the outdoors. Hiking, waterfalls, wildlife and spectacular viewpoints are a huge part of the appeal — which can make a forecast full of rain particularly disappointing.
But there’s more to the region than its walking trails.
I recommend allowing at least three or four days in the Grampians if you can. It gives you more flexibility to work around the weather, particularly in winter when low cloud and rain can completely change your plans.
8 Things to Do in Halls Gap When It’s Raining
When we visited, we had low cloud hanging around for much of our stay, so those famous Grampians views weren’t exactly putting on a show.
For the day when steady rain was forecast, I deliberately saved some of the more weather-friendly activities.
One thing we quickly discovered, though, was that opening days matter. We were there on a Monday and found quite a few places closed.
So check current opening hours before setting off, particularly if you’re visiting early in the week or outside peak periods.
Go Wine Tasting
Wine tasting is probably one of my favourite rainy-day activities – although, admittedly, I don’t need rain as an excuse!
The Grampians is one of Victoria’s historic wine regions, with cellar doors scattered throughout the area.
Close to Halls Gap, Pomonal Estate has wine tastings, wine and chocolate flights and local produce. Its cellar door is currently open on weekends.
If your rainy day falls during the week, consider driving about 30 minutes to Great Western.
That’s exactly what we did, visiting Seppelt Great Western and Grampians Estate.
At Seppelt Great Western, don’t just stop for a tasting. You can also take a guided tour through The Drives, its extraordinary network of historic underground cellars.
We managed to time our visit perfectly badly and had just missed the final tour of the day! If I was planning again, I’d book the underground tour in advance and work the rest of the day around it. It’s almost made for a cold, wet Grampians day.
Nearby Grampians Estate is another easy stop. We enjoyed our tasting here and I came home with a bottle of Riesling to share with friends.
Both Seppelt and Grampians Estate are currently open seven days a week, but check current hours before making the drive.
And, of course, if you’re tasting wine, make sure someone is designated to drive.
Visit a Craft Brewery
If wine isn’t your thing – or you simply don’t want to get back in the car – head to Paper Scissors Rock Brew Co in the centre of Halls Gap.
This independent brewery makes its beer on site and has a rotating selection on tap, so a tasting paddle is a good way to try a few.
I’m not a beer drinker, but my husband is, so naturally he volunteered for the important research when we visited. His tasting paddle contained four very generous serves, which made me quite glad I wasn’t drinking and could drive!
There’s also a kitchen serving a seasonal menu, plus regular live music and special events.
Paper Scissors Rock is currently open seven days a week, making it one of the easier rainy-day options when other attractions are closed.
Enjoy a Mystery Picnic
If the forecast is more showers than torrential rain, another fun option is an AmazingCo Mystery Picnic.
I’ve done one of these in Adelaide and really enjoyed it. You solve clues to discover where you’re going next, stopping at local businesses along the way to collect different foods.
There are Mystery Picnic options in the Grampians for couples, families and groups of friends.
Unlike the Adelaide version I did on foot, you’ll need a car for the Grampians experience, making it much more manageable when the weather isn’t cooperating.
Obviously, a picnic isn’t the first thing that springs to mind when it’s pouring with rain! I’d save this one for a day of passing showers rather than wild weather.
And if it’s still too wet when you’ve collected everything, you could always take your haul back to your accommodation and enjoy your feast somewhere warm and dry.
Visit Brambuk National Park & Cultural Centre
If the weather is putting your outdoor plans in doubt, Brambuk is a useful first stop.
There are two main buildings here: the National Park Information Centre and the Cultural Centre.
Unfortunately, the Cultural Centre is currently closed for refurbishment. It was also closed when we visited, so I’ve still never managed to see inside!
The National Park Information Centre and gift shop remain open, though, and they’re particularly useful when the weather is poor.
You can pick up maps and information and talk to staff about current walking tracks, road conditions and park closures.
Heavy rain can affect roads and trails around the Grampians, so it’s worth checking what’s safe and accessible before setting out.
Visit WAMA
One of the best new rainy-day options since our visit is WAMA – the Wildlife Art Museum of Australia, just outside Halls Gap.
WAMA opened in 2025 and brings together art and nature, with a gallery featuring changing exhibitions inspired by the natural world. There’s also a café, making it an easy place to spend part of a wet morning or afternoon.
Some of the property is outdoors, including native gardens and wetlands, but the gallery itself makes this a particularly useful option when it’s raining.
WAMA is currently open Thursday to Sunday, but check the latest opening hours and exhibitions before visiting.
Watch Glass Blowing in Pomonal
Another interesting stop is James McMurtrie Glass Blowing Studio & Gallery in Pomonal.
The gallery contains hand-blown glass, ceramics and sculptures, and if James and his partner Christina are working in the studio, you may even get to watch glass blowing in action.
The studio describes itself as open most days or by appointment, so I’d contact them before making a special trip if watching the glass blowing is important to you.
Stock Up on Local Produce
A rainy day is also a good opportunity to explore some of the local food producers around Halls Gap and Pomonal – and stock up on a few goodies to take home.
One place we particularly enjoyed was Five Ducks Farm at Pomonal.
It’s a small farm producing preserves and other goodies, and we had a lovely chat with Anita when we visited before leaving with honey and a few treats.
These are the sorts of little stops I love finding when we travel. You’re buying directly from local producers and usually get to learn a little about the area at the same time.
Opening days can be limited, so check before making a special trip.
Get Outside Anyway – If It’s Safe
Rain doesn’t necessarily mean you have to stay indoors all day.
Wet weather seems to follow me around when I travel, so I’ve invested in a decent waterproof jacket, pants and shoes. We’ve done plenty of walks in the rain over the years and, with the right gear, I’ve often really enjoyed them.
But there’s a big difference between a bit of rain and conditions that make hiking unsafe.
Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park has plenty of rocky tracks, steep sections and exposed viewpoints, and wet rock can be incredibly slippery. Heavy rain can also affect roads and walking tracks.
If it’s only light rain and conditions are safe, consider choosing a shorter, easier walk rather than tackling one of the big hikes you had planned.
And don’t be too disappointed if the famous viewpoints are hidden in cloud. Enjoy the forest, wildlife and waterfalls instead – the waterfalls may even be putting on a better show after rain.
Most importantly, check the latest Grampians National Park conditions and closures before setting out.
Sometimes the sensible decision really is to abandon the hike and head back to the winery. I’m okay with that too!
Where to Stay in Halls Gap
We stayed in a cabin at NRMA Halls Gap Holiday Park and I would happily stay there again.
The location is excellent, close to the centre of Halls Gap but surrounded by the scenery and wildlife that make the Grampians such a great place to visit.
If the forecast is looking particularly wet, I’d consider booking a cabin, apartment or cottage rather than camping.
Having somewhere warm and comfortable to retreat to – ideally with cooking facilities and enough space to relax – makes a rainy afternoon much easier to deal with.
There are plenty of other accommodation options around Halls Gap too, from holiday parks and motels to cottages and apartments.
Check accommodation in Halls Gap
Where to Eat in Halls Gap
If the rain really sets in, there’s always another excellent travel activity – eating!
There are two places we ate in Halls Gap that I would happily recommend.
Livefast Lifestyle Café is right in the centre of town and is a good option for breakfast or lunch. It’s warm and cosy inside, making it particularly appealing when you’ve just come in from a cold, wet morning.
We had lunch here and really enjoyed it, and there are options for a range of dietary requirements.
For dinner, try Spirit of Punjab, an Indian restaurant on Grampians Road.
Almost everyone we spoke to during our visit recommended it, so of course we had to give it a try.
The servings were generous – enough that I took our leftovers back to our accommodation for another meal – and we thoroughly enjoyed the food.
Spirit of Punjab is currently open for dinner seven days a week, with lunch also available on some days. It can get busy during weekends and holiday periods, so booking ahead is a good idea.
Don’t Let the Rain Ruin Your Grampians Trip
Rain in Halls Gap might mean changing your plans, but it doesn’t have to mean wasting a day.
Taste some local wine, discover the region’s art and produce, settle in somewhere for a good meal or pull on the wet-weather gear if conditions are safe.
And hopefully the clouds will clear before you leave so you can get back to those Grampians hikes and views you came for!
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