The Festival Hub and campground is at Laharum Grove. Campsites are set amongst the olive trees and looked over by a classic Grampians escarpment. Laharum Grove is home to Deirdre's restaurant, which provides Saturday night's communal feast. You may also purchase additional meals – Friday dinner, breakfasts and lunch packs – directly from Deirdre's at an extra cost. Alcohol is available for purchase from the restaurant.
The view out of your tent door. David Hannah
The campsite includes the following amenities: toilets and drinking water. Camping is fuel-stove only – no fires (there will be a communal fire, conditions permitting).
On Saturday and Sunday morning you can purchase fresh coffee from the Livefast Coffee Cruiser, which will be on-site. Get in early as the lines will be long. #caffFIENDs
There will not be any showers. It's only two days. You'll be fine. You will be basking in what we like to call, El Olor de la Vitoria aka The Smell of Victory.
You should bring:
- Your bouldering mat, shoes, chalk bucket, chalk, brush and lucky sending beanie
- Your copy of Grampians Bouldering (the bestest guidebook in the world, eva)
- Your camping kit; tent, sleeping bag, sleeping mat, pillow, lucky blankie and camp chair
- A fuel stove for cooking (there are no fires allowed on site)
- Food for breakfast, lunch and snacks (Saturday night dinner provided)
- Cutlery, plate, bowl and a mug
- A headtorch, don't forget it
- Refillable water bottles
- Raincoat and a stout hat
- Sunnies, sunscreen, lip balm and insect repellent
- Tip repair ointment or hydrating unguent (shredded tips are a real downer, protect your tips for they are thoust greatest asset)
- Fancy dress costume for the Comp (dress up, go on, do it! Especially if you're entering in a team)
Buy yo lunch (or brekkie or both) from Deirdre's and be the envy of all at the boulders.
friday dinner, BREAKFAST & lunch service
For those wanting to be completely looked after for the weekend, you can organise a delicious breakfast and packed lunch (much better than anything your mum or dad ever made) and dinner on Friday night from Deirdre's restaurant.
Brekkie will cost $20 per person, per day
A packed lunch costs $25 per person, per day
Dinner on Friday night can also be organised, and it is well doing – book ahead of time.
Organise this directly with Deirdre, who can be contacted at deirdre@laharumgrove.com.au
“There was the bole of an olive tree with long leaves growing strongly in the courtyard, and it was thick, like a column. I laid down my chamber around this. (23.190-288).”
(Odysseus people, c'mon! If it worked for the mightily epic Greek hero Odysseus then it will work for you.)
How to get to laharum grove
Laharum Grove is 1603 Winfields Rd, just south of Mt Stapylton at the northern tip of the Grampians (about ten minutes’ drive from Hollow Mountain car park). If you’re coming from Melbourne or Adelaide, Laharum Grove is best accessed off the Western Hwy (A8).
The entry to Laharum Grove will be marked on Winfields Rd.
From the southeast (Melbourne side): follow the A8 towards Horsham. Ten kilometres past the Giant Koala (at night its eyes glow red, you can’t miss it) at Dadswell Bridge, turn left onto Wonwondah-Dadswell Bridge Rd. Continue for just over 6km and then turn left onto Winfields Rd (watch out for kangaroos!). Drive south on Winfields Rd for just over 10km and the driveway for Laharum Grove will be on your left (4km past Olive Plantation Rd), and well marked. Follow the drive up the hill for 900m (it’s a long drive), then turn left (north) and 300m further on you will have arrived at the Festival Hub. Welcome.
From the northwest (Adelaide side): follow the A8 south from Horsham for 14km and turn right onto Drung South Rd (C222). Continue for just over 15km and then left onto McTavishes Rd, follow it to the end and turn right onto Winfields Rd. The driveway for Laharum Grove (it will be well marked) will be on your left after 1.6km. Follow the driveway up the hill for 900m (it’s a long driveway), then turn left (north) and 300m further on you will have arrived at the Festival Hub. Welcome.
If you’re coming from the south (Halls Gap): follow the C222 over the range. Look out for the turn-off to Brimpaen (Brimpaen-Laharum Rd) on the left, and 2.7km north of this you need to turn right onto Camerons Rd (off the C222). Follow Camerons Rd to the end and turn left onto Winfields Rd. The driveway for Laharum Grove (it will be well marked) will be on your right after 400m. Follow the driveway up the hill for 900m (it’s a long driveway), then turn left (north) and 300m further on you will have arrived at the Festival Hub. Welcome.
Deirdre's restaurant at Laharum Grove. David Hannah
Banner image this page, rows of olive trees. Simon Madden