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
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.
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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:- 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 depot. -
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.Alpine National Park (Bogong High Plains, Mount Bogong, Dinner Plain, Dargo High Plains, Foothills and Southern Alps)Buchan Caves ReserveBurrowa-Pine MountainCape Conran Coastal ParkCape Liptrap Coastal ParkCabbage Tree Creek Flora ReserveErrinundra National ParkLake Tyers State ParkLakes National ParkBaw Baw National ParkMount Buffalo National ParkMount Mittamatite Regional ParkMount Mitta Mitta Flora ReserveMount Lawson State ParkMount Granya State ParkMountain Creek Education AreaPheasant Creek Flora ReserveWabba Wilderness ParkWilsons Promontory National Park
Nearby
