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The Grampians National Park - Cultural Heritage | Flora
| Fauna
| Park Care
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Occupation of the Grampians region by Aboriginal peoples dates beyond 3000BC, and the area is host to the majority of Aboriginal art sites in south-eastern Australia. Food was abundant in the hills, and the amount of natural (rock) shelter led to the region becoming a cultural nexus and meeting point for various tribes. Rock art left by the Buandik and Jardwa tribes is apparent in the Victoria Range, and the north-west area of the Grampians. In 1836, Major Mitchell and Mr. Stapylton led an exploration party through
western Victoria. They ascended the highest peak in the north-east region,
and named it Mount William, after King William IV, and also named the
range 'The Grampians', after the Scottish mountains. Returning to Sydney with great reports of the area, pastoral squatters hastened to the Grampians. One of these chaps, Mr C. B. Hall, named Halls Gap. European settlement spread throughout the region, primarily due to the watershed and irrigating proporties of the range. Progressive water schemes use the Grampians as the source of irrigation for agriculture across a large part of north-west Victoria. Quarrying, timber production, and mining have all been hosted by the Grampians. Tourism, however, is now seen as the major industry in the park, and seems to be growing as people become more aware of the majesty and diversity of the Grampians.
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