The Grampians National Park. Picture: CONTRIBUTED
Two Melbourne bushwalkers were airlifted from the Grampians National Park on Sunday after becoming lost near Mount Difficult.
A man, 34, and woman, 33, called 000 about 5.30pm when they became lost in bushland after walking off the Beehive Falls trail.
Their rescue, involving considerable time and energy by emergency services, has prompted authorities to call for hikers to be better prepared.
Halls Gap Sergeant Paul Russell said it took a team of two police officers, the Victoria Police Air Wing and State Emergency Service volunteers about three hours to find the pair.
"They were airlifted out to the Roses Gap Recreation Centre and then they returned to their vehicle," he said.
"They were a bit tired and a little dehydrated.
"They didn't have enough food, water or suitable clothing to be out overnight, which was our concern.
"If people are going to go walking they need to make sure they know where they are going and to have good maps."
SES Grampians regional officer Gavin Kelly, who was involved in the rescue, said people who became lost should not continue walking.
"One of the issues was that they did not stay in one spot and kept walking even though they were lost," he said. "People need to stay put in one spot, call 000 if they are lucky enough to have mobile reception, take a good look at their surroundings and calm down.
"It is fantastic that people are getting out and having a look around the countryside but they have to be aware of their surroundings as well.
"The message is for people to be prepared by advising someone on where they are going and to be prepared for what they are doing."
