Cresta Valley

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Cresta Valley

Mount Buffalo National Park

Cresta Valley is a perfect all-seasons playground.

In winter grab your trusty snow gear and enjoy family-friendly tobogganing and snow play or head out on one of four marked cross-country ski trails and two marked snowshoe walks. Visitors are asked to not walk on groomed ski trails as foot tracks create hazards for skiers.

When the snow melts, the grassy plains burst into bloom and make for some scenic and invigorating walks.

This winter with restrictions caused by COVID-19 there will be systems in place during anticipated busy periods, such as the school holidays and weekends, to ensure the safety of staff and visitors and compliance of restrictions.

At these busy times, Parks Victoria staff will limit the number of visitors permitted into the park at any one time. Once capacity is met, entry to the park will be temporarily. Vehicles will be permitted to enter as other vehicles leave. Parks Victoria staff will be at the park entry to assist visitors and monitor vehicle numbers. A message sign at the roundabout at Porepunkah will show the current entry conditions and any expected delays.

The following will also apply:

  • Indoor shelter will not be available during school holidays and weekends, and will not be guaranteed at other times.
  • Observe physical distancing of 1.5 metres at all times
  • Do not gather in groups of more than 20 people
  • Visitors are encouraged to come well prepared – bring sufficient food, drinks, warm and waterproof clothing, spare dry clothing etc.
  • If the car park is full, no more people can visit that site. Do not join vehicle queues or park illegally.

Things To Do

Tobogganing

The dedicated toboggan area is only available when there is adequate snow and is marked with fencing and signage. All toboggan users must walk up the side of the slope to avoid being hit by those coming down the hill. Conditions on the toboggan slope can deteriorate late in the day due to freezing, making the snow very fast and rock hard. Only moulded plastic toboggans are allowed. Check the daily snow report in the Change of Conditions section below.

How to get there

Cresta Valley

Facilities

Carpark

Need to know

Cresta Valley

Change of Conditions

Nature being nature, sometimes conditions can change at short notice. It’s a good idea to check this page ahead of your visit for any updates.

  • Lake Catani Campground (Mount Buffalo National Park)

    Lake Catani Campground CLOSED

    Lake Catani Campground is open seasonally. Currently the campground is closed and there are no facilities open. The closest options for vehicle based camping are:
    - Buckland River valley (DEECA managed camping areas in the state forest) link
    - Smoko Streamside Reserve on the Ovens River (DEECA managed camping area)
    - Nug Nug Reserve in the Buffalo River valley link
    - or local caravan parks in Bright and Porepunkah

    Hike-in camping is available at the more remote camping sites of Rocky Creek and Mount McLeod. There is no vehicle access to these sites. There is a pit toilet and the areas are fuel stove only. There are four campsites at each location. Bookings online at www.parks.vic.gov.au/stay or by contacting the Parks Victoria Information Centre on 13 1963.

    Lake Catani Campground reopens on Friday, 3rd November prior to the Melbourne Cup day weekend.



  • Notices Affecting Multiple Sites

    Mt Buffalo seasonal road closures

    The Horn Road, Reservoir Road and the track into Lake Catani, Lakeside and the campground are seasonally closed roads. These roads are generally reopened on the 15th September. However, this year only the track into Lakeside picnic area will be opened on 15th September (gates into the campground remain locked until the campground opens on the Friday before Melbourne Cup Day).

    The Horn Road requires grading and flood damage repairs to be completed before the road can be reopened. This notice will be updated when The Horn Road reopens.

    Reservoir Road remains closed due to extensive flood damage in June.

    Reservoir Road closed due to extensive storm damage

    Reservoir Road has been damaged extensively by a storm on June 8th 2023. Mt Buffalo National Park had 176mm of rain fall in 24 hours. Reservoir Road will be closed indefinitely to vehicle traffic until considerable repairs can be made.

    Reservoir Road is seasonally closed from the Thursday after the Kings Birthday Long Weekend until September 15 or until road conditions allow.

    The closure of Reservoir Road adds an additional 3kms each way for walks to Mt McLeod, Rocky Creek, Eagle Point and Og Gog & McGog.
    Parking is available at the junction of Reservoir  Road and Mt Buffalo Road near the Vic Roads dep
    ot.

  • Notices Affecting Multiple Parks

    Ground shooting operations targeting deer

    Ground control operations targeting deer will be undertaken in these Parks and Reserves from December 2022 to December 2023. These areas will remain open to visitors during operations.
     
    Alpine National Park (Bogong High Plains, Mount Bogong, Dinner Plain, Dargo High Plains, Foothills and Southern Alps)
    Buchan Caves Reserve
    Burrowa-Pine Mountain
    Cape Conran Coastal Park
    Cape Liptrap Coastal Park
    Cabbage Tree Creek Flora Reserve
    Errinundra National Park
    Lake Tyers State Park
    Lakes National Park
    Baw Baw National Park
    Mount Buffalo National Park
    Mount Mittamatite Regional Park
    Mount Mitta Mitta Flora Reserve
    Mount Lawson State Park
    Mount Granya State Park
    Mountain Creek Education Area
    Pheasant Creek Flora Reserve
    Wabba Wilderness Park
    Wilsons Promontory National Park

    For more information about deer control to protect biodiversity, please visit this link.

Nearby

 
A family take a cross country skiing lesson at Dingo Dell at Mount Buffalo National Park

Dingo Dell

Facilities at Dingo Dell include a designated toboggan slope, open areas for snow play, first aid room, take away food and drinks, toilets, and a marked snowshoe track to the hilltop above.
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