Mount Buangor State Park fire and storm recovery

Project status

• In 2024 and 2025 major works were completed to reinstate important park access, including works on Dairy Maid Road to provide access through the park from the Western Highway to Mt Cole State Forest
• The state park section of Beeripmo Walk was repaired, and the popular long distance walk from Mt Cole State Forest reopend to visitors.
• After months of planning and works, Ferntree Visitor Area, Ferntree Waterfall walking track and the Ferntree Waterfalls road reopened late spring 2025.  The reopening of the day visitor area includes car parking, picnic tables, toilets, and an improved walking track with a new pedestrian bridge leading to the base of the falls. Please note that access to the Ferntree day visitor area is currently only available via Ferntree Waterfalls Road.
• This year, Mt Buangor State Park moved into the next phase of fire recovery with a coordinated rollout of road, track and facility repairs.

Updated July 2026.

The recently completed footbridge at Ferntree Falls

Background

In February 2024, a large bushfire (known as the Bayindeen-Rocky Road fire), hit Mount Buangor State Park and nearby Mount Cole State Forest. 

Driven by extreme heat and hot winds, the fire quickly burned through the park, causing significant environmental and cultural damage and destroying all visitor sites. This included Middle Creek, Ferntree, and Bailes Camping areas; walking tracks and roads; signage; shelters; toilets; picnic tables; bridges and stairs.

Two months later, a severe storm caused further damage to the park. Heavy rain caused erosion and pushed thick layers of ash and sediment across vegetation, roads, and walking tracks.

The extensive damage caused by fire and storm forced the park to be closed to the public.

Parks Victoria is working through the development of a recovery program.
 

Charlies Creek Hut in Middle Creek Campground

The Project

Parks Victoria is leading a fire recovery project, working with other agencies as part of the whole of government recovery response.

Parks Victoria and the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action are working through the next stages of recovery at Mount Buangor State Park and Mount Cole State Forest.

This project includes  impact assessments; clearing debris from camping areas, roads and tracks; and planning, scoping and rebuilding of park infrastructure.

Project timeline

Fire and flood recovery projects are complex and can be lengthy.

The safety of staff and contractors working in the park is a priority. As is ensuring natural and cultural values in the landscape can be properly identified, assessed and protected. 

The park was closed to allow the natural recovery to begin. The park will progressively reopen as works to enable visitor experiences are completed.

A detailed timeline for the park to re-open to the public will be determined as planning and assessments are completed.

Environmental Recovery

The park has experienced a dry period with some recovery of understorey vegetation.  Parks Victoria will conduct a second aerial deer program in the coming months, along with pig control actions across the park.  There are some promising signs for the park to recover across time and with community assistance.

Managing Country Together

This project is being delivered on Eastern Maar Country.

Parks Victoria will be working with the Eastern Maar Aboriginal Corporation during this recovery project. 

 

Who are we working with?

• Forest Fire Management Victoria
• Grampians Wimmera Mallee water
• Pyrenees Shire Council
• Mid-West Tourism
• Park neighbours and community

Access changes

Many areas in the park remain closed until works are completed. For up-to-date visitor and access information visit the Mount Buangor State Park page of this website.

Whats open?

• Ferntree Visitor Area

• Ferntree Waterfall walking track 

• Ferntree Waterfalls Road from the Western Highway

• Dairy Maid Road (access through the park to Mt Cole State Forest

• The Beeripmo Walk, accessible from adjoining Mt Cole State Forest, providing access to Mount Buangor lookout and Grevillea lookout

Putting safety first

Visitor safety is our number one priority when considering risk in parks. 

While nature will always be unpredictable, our projects and maintenance works help minimise risks and help people explore the great outdoors safely.

Parks Victoria is responsible for continuously managing and maintaining over 50,000 pieces of infrastructure across the state annually. We’re also delivering new projects to help visitors get into nature. These are thoroughly planned and prepared to keep people and projects separate – and safe.

When visiting a park where projects are happening, especially during construction, it’s important that people follow the direction of signs, stay out of fenced and restricted areas, and listen to Parks Victoria staff and work crews.

To help Mount Buangor State Park to recover, and in the interests of safety, do not enter the park:
 
• Fire recovery areas are fragile with unstable rocks, soils and trees
• Roads are unsafe, due to unstable ground, erosion, sediment, debris and hidden holes from burnt underground roots
• Trees will continue to move and impact roads and walking tracks, especially after rain
• All visitor sites have been affected and will require significant assessment, planning and rebuilding
• Fines do apply for breaching park closures.

Related information

 

• Media Release: Recovery underway at Mount Buangor
• Mount Buangor State Park