THE GRAMPIANS The Grampians certainly are something and it is incumbent on most to visit The Grampians at least once if not twice or more. These ranges rise abruptly out of the pasture districts of western Victoria. The Grampians make for a great day trip excursion and a drive around the peaks and valleys are a delight. Scenery to die for and plenty of fauna and flora to top off the experience. The Park was listed on the Australian National Heritage List on 15 December 2006 for its outstanding natural beauty and being one of the richest indigenous rock art sites in south-eastern Australia The Grampians feature a striking series of sandstone mountain ranges. The ranges were named in 1836 by Surveyor General of New South Wales Sir Thomas Mitchell after the Grampian Mountains in his native Scotland, The rock material that composes the high peaks is sandstone which was laid down from rivers during the Devonian era 380 million years ago. This sediment slowly accumulated to a depth of 7 km; this was later raised and tilted for its present form. Forty million years ago the Southern Ocean reached the base of the northern and western base of the mountain range, the deposition from the range forming the sea floor which is now Little Desert National Park. The highest peak is Mount William at 1167 metres. Numerous waterfalls are found in the park and are easily accessible via a well-developed road network. Halls Gap is the best spot to use as a base or launching spot.