Astrid & I awoke at 06:00hrs for hike up to The Pinnacles from Sundial car park, while N&N went for a run instead. The panorama from The Pinnacles so early in the morning was stunning, though a somewhat chilly experience also, given air temperatures were still below 10C. The lack of humidity and air pollution in this remote region made it possible to view landscapes more than 40km distant, into the flat golden farmlands beyond the Grampians. 
Following a quick shower and breakfast, we all then headed off for a hike up Mt. Staplyton in the northern Grampians, a moderately strenuous hike, with again great views from the summit. On return to the car, we had a pleasant picnic lunch, before then heading over to Stawall, via Hwy 8, for more groceries. We then dropped by a vineyard for some wine tasting, with the elegant bouquet luring us into purchase of several large bottles - classical Pavlovian conditioning. Throughout the day, the tranquil setting was punctuated by loud riotous shouting each time Australia lost a wicket in the 1st innings at the final Ashes test at the SCG, which was listened to intently on the radio. 
Back in Halls Gap, though quite exhausted (and partially inebriated), Astrid & I then elected to go for one final hike; a circular route from the Brambuk NP and Cultural Centre. This proved to be the most exciting hike of all, involving numerous encounters with various wallabies, kangaroos, different bird species, and to cap it off, a very rare sighting of an echidna – huge wow factor! Fortuitously, Astrid had brought along her Canon D5 MKII, with a high powered lens fitted that would make the Hubble space telescope look decidedly short sighted. We thus managed to capture all on camera and camcorder.
Dinner was (another) sumptuous affair, washed down with some of the wine purchased earlier, leaving time free for the now ritual viewing of more Benidorm episodes.
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