Cresta Valley

An older man stands for the camera while cross country skiing infront of a mountain peak.

This area has additional visitor advice This area has reported issues This area is closed

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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.

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

Cresta Valley

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.

  • Notices Affecting Multiple Sites

    Reservoir Road – Closure for repair

    Reservoir Road will be closed for storm damage repairs starting Monday the 3rd of March 2025, with completion expected by Spring 2025.

    Reservoir Road will be closed to walkers, mountain bikers, and vehicles on weekdays (Monday to Friday) due to operational construction activities including large machinery repairing damaged sections.

    The road will open to walkers and mountain bikers on weekends and public holidays.

    Alternative access to Mt McLeod, Rocky Creek, Eagle Point, and Og Gog & McGog is available via Long Plain Track.

    Visitors are advised to stay alert to changing conditions and adhere to any closures.

    Attachments: Reservior_Rd_Closure_Map (334KB)

    Mount Buffalo Snow Report 10/6/2025

    Mt Buffalo National Park Snow, Road, and Weather Daily Report
    Time:     08:30 hrs                    Date: Tuesday 10th June 2025
    Current conditions
    Fresh snow
    Snow cover
    Temperature  
    Dingo Dell Day Shelter
    Light dusting from Dingo Dell onwards
    Very Good
    1.5°
    @ Mt Buffalo Park Office

     
    Tobogganing
    Status
    Condition
    Dingo Dell – elevation 1420m
    Open
    Excellent, Groomed 08/06/25
    Cresta Valley - elevation 1480m
    Open
    Excellent, Groomed 08/06/25
    No toboggan rental available on Mt Buffalo this year. Rental available in Porepunkah, Bright, Myrtleford & Ovens
     
    Snowshoe Trails
    (Marked with snowshoe signs)
    Status
    Condition
    Open
    Excellent
    Sentinel – 1.5 km return
    Open
    Excellent
    Cresta Valley – 2kms return
    Open
    Excellent
     
    Cross Country Trails
    Status
    Last Groomed (date)
    Beginners Loop
    Open
    08/06/25
    Bogong Plain
    Open
    08/6/25
    The Horn Road
    Open
    08/06/25
     
    Vehicle chains
    Status
    To be carried
    Yes
    Currently being fitted
    No
    Please adhere to the chain fitting signage on the mountain.
     
     
    Weather forecast for Falls Creek, Northeast (most like Mt Buffalo):
     
     

    Comments:  N/A

     
     
    Interpreting the Snow Conditions
    Toboggan Slopes
    Excellent – good deep cover with fresh surface
    Very Good – good deep cover
    Good – good cover, may have wet areas and or holes to soil
    Fair – mostly covered but could be wet, holes and other hazards
    Poor – patchy cover, wet, holes and other hazards
    Snow play – enough snow for scraping together a small snow creature and some snowballs
    Sightseeing – patches of snow to look at
    No snow – time to go hiking
    Interpreting the Snow Conditions
    Cross Country Ski Trails and Snowshoe Trails
    Excellent - good deep cover with fresh surface
    Very Good - good deep cover
    Good - complete cover with occasional obstacle
    Fair - mostly continuous snow cover with some obstacles
    Poor - mostly continuous snow cover with numerous obstacles
    Patchy - patchy cover, insufficient for skiing or snowshoeing
    Closed - time to go kayaking
     
    View the Dingo Dell and Cresta Valley Snowcams
    Mt Buffalo Weather Station
    The Mt Buffalo Parks Victoria office has a weather station on the roof (elevation 1320m). For current weather conditions and forecasting download the Davis WeatherLink app. Set Mt Buffalo Parks Office in your favourites. The Mt Porepunkah Fire Tower is the next closest Davis weather station to Mt Buffalo.
    General Information for Winter Visitors
    It remains a requirement to carry snow chains in all vehicles, for any vehicle passing through the Park entrance. This includes visitors who are wanting to visit Lady Bath, Eurobin or Rollason’s Falls.
    There is no entry fee to visit Mt Buffalo National Park.
    Mt Buffalo has three seasonal road closures. These are The Horn Road from Cresta Valley, Reservoir Road and the Lake Catani Road. These roads close on the Thursday after Kings Birthday in June and re-open on 15th September, if road conditions allow.
    The Lake Catani Campground is open for winter camping from the Friday before Kings Birthday long weekend until August 31. Limited facilities - drop toilet only. Walk in/ski in only. No booking required.
    Refer to the Parks Victoria Mt Buffalo National Park webpage for more information on winter activities.
    If you would like to receive the Mt Buffalo Snow Report email tomas.sanchez@parks.vic.gov.au
    Mt Buffalo Snow Reports are also posted on the Parks Victoria Mt Buffalo web page – click the tab ‘!This area has reported issues’. https://www.parks.vic.gov.au/places-to-see/parks/mount-buffalo-national-park
     

  • Gorge - Lake Catani track (Mount Buffalo National Park)

    Weekend closure - Gorge-Catani Track

    The Gorge-Catani Track will be CLOSED weekdays for repairs starting Monday the 19th of May to Friday the 13th of June 2025.
     
    The Gorge-Catani Track will be closed to walkers and mountain bikers on weekdays (Monday to Friday) due to  construction activities.
     
    The track will open to walkers and mountain bikers on weekends and public holidays.
     
    The monolith walk can be accessed via the following trail head locations.
     
     
     
    Visitors are advised to stay alert to changing conditions and adhere to any closures.

    Weekday Closure - Gorge - Catani Track

    The Gorge-Catani Track will be CLOSED weekdays for repairs starting Monday the 19th of May to Friday the 13th of June 2025.
     
    The Gorge-Catani Track will be closed to walkers and mountain bikers on weekdays (Monday to Friday) due to construction activities. 
     
    The track will open to walkers and mountain bikers on weekends and public holidays.
     
    The Monolith Walk can be accessed via the following trailhead locations:
     
     
     
    Visitors are advised to stay alert to changing conditions and adhere to any closures.

  • Mt McLeod Hike-in Camping Area (Mount Buffalo National Park, North Buffalo Remote and Natural Area)

    Mt McLeod Track – Changing Track Conditions

    Repair works on storm-damaged sections of Reservoir Road from Monday the 3rd of March 2025 will close access to the Mt McLeod Track for walkers and mountain bikers on weekdays (Monday to Friday).

    Alternative access routes to the track includes:
    • Long Plain Track, Rocky Creek Track, Five Acre Track, and Og Gog & McGog Track (approximately 7.5 km to Mt McLeod Track)
     
    Refer to attached map. 

    Mt McLeod Campground Closure
    The Mt McLeod Campground will be closed Monday to Friday due to access restraints from Reservoir Rd.
     
    Bookings are available for Saturday nights.

    Visitors are advised to stay alert to changing conditions and adhere to any closures.

    Attachments: VG_MtBuffaloNP_Map2_MtMcleod (3,178KB)

  • Rocky Creek Hike-in Camping Area (Mount Buffalo National Park)

    Rocky Creek Track Alternative Access

    Alternative access to the Rocky Creek Track is required Weekdays due to the closure of Reservoir Road for repairs.


    Weekday access to the Rocky Creek track is available via the Long Plain Track.
     
    Refer to attached map. 

    Attachments: VG_MtBuffaloNP_Map2_RockyCk (3,142KB)

  • Notices Affecting Multiple Parks

    Ground shooting operations targeting deer

    Control operations (ground shooting) targeting deer are undertaken in this area.  The Park will remain open to visitors during operations.
     
    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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