Looking for the best things to do in Halls Gap during your stay? At Silverband Lodge, you’re perfectly positioned to experience the very best of the Grampians / Gariwerd National Park—from iconic bushwalks to family-friendly attractions and local favourites.

Even better, many highlights are just moments away, with several of the region’s most popular walks accessible directly from the lodge—no need to drive.

Whilst we know there is so much to keep you entertained onsite at Silverband Lodge, venturing out into the surrounding region is also a fantastic way to make the most of your Grampians experience.

Whether you’re visiting as a school group, family, or group of friends, here are five must-do experiences to enhance your stay:

1. Walk Straight into the Grampians from Your Door

One of the biggest advantages of staying at Silverband Lodge in Halls Gap is direct access to some of the Grampians’ most iconic walking tracks. Simply step outside and start exploring.

• Venus Baths Loop (from Silverband Lodge)
  A gentle and scenic walk following Stony Creek to a series of natural rock pools.
  • Distance: approx. 3–3.5 km return
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Perfect for: Families, school groups, and relaxed walks

• Pinnacle Walk (via Venus Baths, from Silverband Lodge)
  One of the most popular Grampians hikes, leading to breathtaking views over Halls Gap.
  • Distance: approx. 4.5–5.5 km return
  • Difficulty: Moderate
  • Highlights: Stunning lookout, unique rock formations
  • Things to note: Includes rock steps and some steeper sections, requiring moderate fitness

• Boronia Peak Track (from Silverband Lodge)
  A quieter alternative for those seeking a more immersive nature experience.
  • Distance: approx. 7–8 km return
  • Difficulty: Moderate to challenging
  • Highlights: Quieter trails, seasonal wildflowers, sweeping mountain views

These walks offer an unforgettable way to experience the natural beauty of the Grampians, right from your doorstep.

2. Visit Halls Gap Zoo

A must-do attraction in Halls Gap, the Halls Gap Zoo is Victoria’s largest regional zoo and a favourite for visitors of all ages.

Enjoy hand-feeding kangaroos and getting up close to a wide range of animals from around the world. It’s a fantastic outing for families, school groups, and group travellers.

3. Play at Halls Gap Adventure Golf

For something fun and relaxed, head to Halls Gap Adventure Golf.

Set in a natural environment, this is a great way to enjoy some friendly competition while taking in the fresh mountain air. Perfect for groups looking to connect and unwind together.

4. Discover WAMA – National Centre for Environmental Art

Located just a short drive from Halls Gap, WAMA offers a unique experience blending art, nature, and culture.

Wander through thoughtfully curated exhibitions and outdoor installations in a serene and inspiring setting. It’s an ideal activity for guests looking to slow down and experience something a little different.

5. Enjoy Ice Cream in the Heart of Halls Gap

No visit to Halls Gap is complete without a stop at Coolas Ice Creamery.

Choose from a wide range of delicious flavours and enjoy a relaxed stroll through the village—it’s the perfect treat after a day exploring the Grampians National Park.

Make the most of your Grampians Stay

At Silverband Lodge, we specialise in group accommodation in Halls Gap, creating memorable experiences for school camps, families, and group stays.

From shared meals to outdoor adventures, our setting is designed to bring people together and foster connection.

We can also help make your stay seamless—our team is happy to assist with booking local activities and experiences, particularly for school groups and group bookings. Simply ask us about options when making your reservation.

With so much to see and do right on your doorstep, the Grampians isn’t just a place to visit—it’s a place to learn, connect and be inspired.

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Cave Hill Creek and Silverband Lodge were well represented, with owner Ange attending alongside Leighton, Manager, Silverband Lodge and Zach, Program Coordinator, Cave Hill Creek. Ange completed the highly regarded Train the Trainer program and also assisted with the delivery of the course along with Paul from Urban Challenge in NSW and Matt from Kangaroobie in VIC, contributing practical insight and hands-on experience to support fellow camp professionals.

Leadership, Learning and Professional Growth

The International Camp Directors Course is auspiced by the International Camping Fellowship (ICF), a global organisation dedicated to supporting quality camping and outdoor recreation experiences worldwide. Through leadership development, professional education, and international collaboration, the ICF plays a key role in strengthening the camp sector and fostering shared standards and best practice across countries and cultures.

The Australian Camps Association facilitates an Australian program, bringing together leaders from across the camp and outdoor recreation sector. Over the four-day program, participants engaged in meaningful discussions around leadership, governance, risk, culture, and the evolving role of camps in supporting young people and communities. The program ends with presentation of ‘model’ camp scenarios by participant groups, a fun way to apply the learnings of the week.

Connecting with Camp Professionals from Accross the Sector

One of the standout elements of the week was the strength of the connections formed. Camp directors and emerging leaders attended from across Australia and beyond, creating rich opportunities to share experiences, exchange ideas, and explore common challenges and opportunities.

These relationships are vital to the continued growth and innovation of the camp and outdoor education industry, helping organisations learn from one another and strengthen best practice across the sector.

A significant outcome of the course is that Ange is now qualified to deliver the International Camp Directors Course program in Australia. This is an exciting step that will allow Cave Hill Creek and Silverband Lodge to play an even stronger role in developing leadership capability within the camp industry.

By supporting current and emerging camp directors to grow their skills, confidence, and impact, we can continue to enhance the quality, safety, and inclusivity of camp experiences nationwide. We look forward to the positive flow-on effects this experience will bring to our team, our partners, and the many groups and communities who share in life-changing experiences at Cave Hill Creek and Silverband Lodge.

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Following recent renovations, accommodation at Silverband Lodge has been thoughtfully refreshed to enhance comfort while retaining its practical, group‑friendly design. As part of these updates, king bed options are now available in every room (with prior arrangement), providing greater flexibility and comfort for teachers, group leaders and adult participants.

Set across 47 acres of bushland, Silverband Lodge combines the peace and immersion of a national park setting with the convenience of being just a short stroll from the Halls Gap township. With iconic bushwalks and trails beginning right from the lodge, it’s an ideal base for groups wanting both adventure and ease.

This article is designed to help you understand how our accommodation works and what it looks like to make your group booking easy!

Purpose-built Accommodation for Group Stays

Silverband Lodge has been designed specifically with groups in mind. Accommodation is arranged across two main lodge areas — Wonderland Lodge and Pinnacle Lodge — providing flexibility to suit a wide range of group sizes and needs.

This modular setup allows groups to enjoy their own private space while still benefiting from shared facilities and communal areas, making Silverband Lodge well suited to school camps, youth groups, retreats and large organised stays.

With a total capacity of up to 232 beds across 32 rooms (16 in each lodge), Silverband Lodge comfortably accommodates groups from 15 to 232 guests, with options to extend capacity further through camp‑out experiences.

Groups can book in the following way / configurations with associated minimum booking fees:

Comfortable Rooms with Ensuite Facilities

All accommodation rooms at Silverband Lodge feature private ensuite bathrooms, offering an added level of comfort and convenience for both participants and group leaders.

Rooms are dormitory‑style and include a mix of:

• Bunk beds
• Single Beds
• King‑split beds, which can be configured as either a king bed or two long singles

With king bed options available in every room, accommodation can be tailored to suit a mix of students, leaders and adults within the same group. Room sizes and bedding configurations vary across the lodge, allowing our team to allocate rooms in a way that best supports group composition, supervision and program requirements.

Wonderland Lodge – Accommodation and Amenities

Wonderland Lodge comprises 16 ensuite rooms and can accommodate up to 116 guests.

Rooms at Wonderland Lodge generally sleep between 4 and 8 people, with layouts designed to support group supervision and comfort. Bedding configurations include a mix of bunk beds, single beds, and king‑split bed options, allowing rooms to be configured to suit students, leaders, couple or families.

Accessibility: Room 7 has an accessible bed, shower and toilet. Accessible entry to Wonderland Lodge is from the rear of the building.

Gallery of Wonderland Lodge Images

• Rooms 2-5 and 8-15 – Sleep 8 guests with 3 bunks and 2 king split beds. Ensuite Bathroom
• Rooms 1 and 7 – Sleep up to 4 guests with 2 king split beds and 2 single beds. Ensuite Bathroom
• Rooms 6 and 16 – Sleep up to 6 guests with 1 Bunk, 2 king split beds and 2 single beds. Ensuite Bathroom

Pinnacle Lodge – Accommodation and Amenities

Pinnacle Lodge also consists of 16 ensuite rooms, with capacity for up to 116 guests.

Room sizes are similar to Wonderland Lodge, with rooms typically sleeping 4 to 8 people. Each room offers flexible bedding arrangements, including bunk beds and king‑split beds, which can be set up as either a king bed or two long singles. Pinnacle rooms are accessed via a central courtyard.

Accessibility: Room 12 has an accessible bed, shower and toilet.

Gallery of Pinnacle Lodge Images

• Rooms 2-5, 7-10 and 13-16 – Sleep 8 guests with 3 bunks and 2 king split beds. Ensuite Bathroom
• Rooms 1 and 6 – Sleep up to 6 guests with 1 Bunk, 2 king split beds and 2 single beds. Ensuite Bathroom
• Rooms 11 and 12 – Sleep up to 4 guests with 2 king split beds and 2 single beds. Ensuite Bathroom

Linen

School and other group stays – BYO linen; guests bring their own bottom sheet, pillow and pillow slip, sleeping bags or top bedding / doona.

Linen: available for hire with advance notice at a per‑person charge. Linen bundles can include pillow and pillowslip, doona and cover, sheet and towels.

Dining and Indoor Facilities

Guests have access to a range of indoor facilities, and shared spaces that support meals, meetings, activities and group gatherings. These include:

Wonderland Lodge

• Wonderland Lodge Dining – A large gathering space with catered kitchen (kitchen only not available for self-catered groups)
• Wonderland North and South Lounges – communal spaces with table tennis (south lounge) for meetings, activities and group gathering. Wonderland South Lounge can also be utilised as a dining area for small groups staying in Wonderland Rooms 1-6.

Pinnacle Lodge

• Pinnacle Lodge Dining – A large gathering space with catered / self-catered kitchen.
• Pinnacle Lodge Lounge – a communal space with table tennis for meetings, activities and group gathering.
• Pinnacle BBQ Area

Got a question about our accommodation? Feel free to reach out here.

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Cave Hill Creek is the perfect stage for your dream destination wedding. Immerse yourself in nature with a celebration of love, natural beauty and serenity.

Our Picturesque Setting

Welcome to Cave Hill Creek – a stunning venue in a spectacular bush and lake location, nestled in the amphitheatre of mountains of the Mount Cole Forest, at Raglan, two hours West of Melbourne.

The sprawling gardens and grounds, sun-drenched function room and bespoke pavilion, large bluestone fireplace features and peaceful lake views provide a truly idyllic setting both day and night for your ceremony, photographs and reception.

This beautiful venue can accommodate up to 140 guests for a seated meal or up to 250 guests for a cocktail-style function.

Celebrate by the lake, enjoy a mulled wine under the stars by the fire or relax with lawn games whilst enjoying the natural splendour and breathtaking views of the Raglan Valley.

Enjoy Quality Food and Beverages

We love creating great food. Make it as formal or informal as you like – Cave Hill Creek’s packages include delicious, generous menus ranging from formal sit-down meals, buffet options or relaxed cocktail style.

Reception Packages includes a 5-hour ‘Local’ beverage package featuring the best Pyrenees wines and Ballarat craft beer options.

Enhance your special day with a cocktail hour featuring roving canapes or bring sophistication and amazing photo opportunities with a champagne tower.

We can even make your wedding cake!

Unique Accommodation and Activities

You are sure to love our unique Glamping wedding suite, complimentary on your wedding night – featuring a king size bed, private en-suite and majestic mountain views.

You’ll have exclusive access to the private property with comfortable bed and breakfast accommodation including our hearty country-style cooked breakfast.

Make a destination weekend out of it! Cave Hill Creek is the perfect venue to gather your family and friends. Throw in some fun! Your weekend package includes canoe hire, archery and outdoor games – not to mention a myriad of wonderful bushwalks and wildlife spotting at your door.

Unique Accommodation and Activities

At Cave Hill Creek we understand the importance of those truly special moments in life and can work with you to deliver your dream vision.

Whether it is a formal dining reception, a lively cocktail experience, sumptuous three-course country wedding buffet with a relaxed garden themed dinner or intimate marquee gathering – we are here to make your day exactly the way you have always wanted.

With a wonderful range of Weekend Destination Wedding packages where accommodation, food, beverage and activities are included – plus all married couples enjoy complimentary accommodation in the bridal suite on your wedding night.

Plan Your Lakeside Wedding at Cave Hill Creek

Ready to start planning? Explore packages, ceremony spaces, and weekend options on our Weddings Page, and when you’re ready, Contact Us to check dates or request a tailored quote.

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This in itself is incredible, as wild platypuses are notoriously shy, nocturnal animals that can be difficult to spot at the best of times. However, recent extinction in parts of Victoria’s upper Wimmera, and concerns that the species as a whole are close to becoming an endangered Australian species makes this even more miraculous.

Platypuses in Australia

Platypuses are usually found in eastern Australia and across most of Tasmania. They have thick brown fur, which traps an insulating layer of air next to their skin, and males can grow as long as 60cm, while females often reach a length of roughly 50cm.

One of the most unique features of a platypus is the sensitive nerves found in their soft, leather-covered bill that allows them to detect the faint electrical fields generated by the small aquatic animals they hunt. Male platypuses also have a venomous spur inside their hind leg, which they will only use if they’re in danger. This sting isn’t poisonous to humans, although it will hurt!

Platypuses are most active at dawn and dusk and spend most of the day in their burrows, however, they can sometimes be seen swimming during the day, although they keep their bodies predominantly underwater. They can stay fully submerged in water while they’re hunting, and they close their eyes and ears so they can detect the electrical fields they’re looking for. They then store their food in their cheeks until they can return to the water’s surface to grind it. Interestingly, adult platypuses don’t have teeth; instead, they have horny plates in their mouths that they use to crush food.

Extinction Concerns in Western Victoria

A recent conservation and DNA study in Victoria’s Upper Wimmera River in western Victoria has revealed that the local population of platypuses are “functionally extinct”.

There used to be around 200 platypuses in the area; a figure that has dropped significantly in the 35 sites that were analysed along the Wimmera, in areas near Ararat and Stawell. The survival of the species in this region is now dependant on a single colony at McKenzie Creek, near Horsham.

It’s believed the long droughts that dried up most of the river back in the early 2000s right through to only a few years ago played a large role in their drop in numbers, as well as human interference, illegal yabby traps and rubbish that finds its way into the waterways.

Experts believe it could be decades before any of the platypuses left in the region could naturally re-build their numbers, as they would have to cross land to find other platypuses, where they would likely fall prey to land-dwelling animals.

Conservation efforts are currently in place to try and increase platypus numbers in Western Victoria.

Platypus Spotting at Cave Hill Creek

Despite not being far from the areas affected by platypus endangerment, staff and guests at Cave Hill Creek often spot the little guys in our beautiful, man-made lake.

However, platypuses aren’t the only native species that can be seen up-close at Cave Hill Creek, as we also have more than 60 bird species that frequent the property, as well as kangaroos!

New Holland Honeyeaters and Kookaburras are just two of the many bird species that can be spotted from our school camps and summer camps or destination wedding celebrations.

Want to witness the beauty of Australia’s natural landscape and animals up-close and personal, you can’t look past our glamping experiences, school and summer camps, or picturesque wedding functions.

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