Things to do
Ladies Bath and Eurobin Falls
Lake Catani Campground
The Horn
How to get there
The Gorge and Mount Buffalo Chalet
Facilities
When you're there
During winter the carpark at the Gorge Day Visitor Area is closed. Parking is instead available at the Mount Buffalo Chalet. From here there is a short walk to reach the Gorge lookouts and toilets. Download the Visitor Guide for more information.
Mount Buffalo Chalet
Built in 1910 by the Victorian Government, the Mount Buffalo Chalet is listed in the Victorian Heritage Register for its architectural, historical and social significance.
You can appreciate the grandeur of the building from the outside and explore the terraced European Garden which in spring time is a mass of stunning colour.
Gorge Heritage Walk - 2.5km, 1 hour return
This walk starts in the Gorge Day Visitor Area opposite the Mt Buffalo Chalet and leads to many spectacular lookout points. Interpretative signs describe the area’s history and beauty through the eyes of local pioneer, Guide Alice.
Lake Catani Track - 4km, 1.5hr return
This easy track links the Gorge, campground and Lakeside Day Visitor Areas through stands of Alpine Ash and is suitable for cycling. There is also a loop walk around Lake Catani, which will add 3km or an hour to your walk.
View Point Walk - 4km, 2hr return
Access to this walk can be from the Gorge Catani Track or Underground River Track. There are great views of the Buckland Valley from the lookout.
The Gorge is also popular for more adventurous pursuits such as rock climbing, hang gliding and trail running. There is a hang gliding ramp just past the Echo Point Lookout at The Gorge Day Visitor Area.
Need to know
The Gorge and Mount Buffalo Chalet
Accessibility
The Gorge has a number of features, including accessible toilets and viewing area, that make it suitable for people with limited mobility.
The Gorge Day Visitor Area was assessed for accessibility in March 2021, providing information about the accessibility of the viewing area, paths, toilets and parking, and photos.
Assistance dogs are welcome in Parks Victoria parks and reserves. Entry requirements apply for parks and reserves that are usually dog prohibited, such as national parks.
How we keep it special
During January 2020 the Mount Buffalo National Park and its historic alpine chalet came under fire threat from a 100,000 hectare forest fire burning to the South West of the park. See how we protected our built heritage from fire at Mount Buffalo National Park.
Recent Mount Buffalo Chalet maintenance works
![Maintenance works at Mount Buffalo Chalet - contractors on site after recent snowfall, 11 May 2020.](/-/media/project/pv/main/parks/images/corporate-site/projects/mount-buffalo-chalet/mount-buffalo-chalet-maintenance-works-20200511-contractors-on-site.jpg?rev=c7780a7345c448ce815d5f7281ab06e6&la=en&h=450&w=768&hash=BF180D8DA36BDB6C25682C94D21A719C)
Contractors on site
![Maintenance works at Mount Buffalo Chalet - Elgas refurbishment of large bullets to provide gas heating for the building, 6 May 2020.](/-/media/project/pv/main/parks/images/corporate-site/projects/mount-buffalo-chalet/mount-buffalo-chalet-maitenance-works-20200506-elgas-refurbishment.jpg?rev=4139bd1d9a1a4e5f855c13b30ac8c008&la=en&h=450&w=768&hash=03A53778B3158F28DAF64CC2786CA039)
Elgas
![Maintenance works at Mount Buffalo Chalet - generator replacement project underway, 6 May 2020.](/-/media/project/pv/main/parks/images/corporate-site/projects/mount-buffalo-chalet/mount-buffalo-chalet-maintenance-works-20200506-generator-replacement.jpg?rev=234563e6030e4f2d9c384b2bae195f52&la=en&h=450&w=768&hash=2F78FBD2CF759C1D2549B51004C70E48)
Generator replacement project underway
![Maintenance works at Mount Buffalo Chalet - re-cladding of the kitchen wall, 6 May 2020.](/-/media/project/pv/main/parks/images/corporate-site/projects/mount-buffalo-chalet/mount-buffalo-chalet-maintenance-works-20200506-kitchen-wall.jpg?rev=09150ece08b54682ade597cbccb05d42&la=en&h=450&w=768&hash=35E2BB84FFAD9063BFF843CB6C84364A)
Re-cladding of the kitchen wall
![Maintenance works at Mount Buffalo Chalet - North Wing repaint and repair, after 24 April 2020.](/-/media/project/pv/main/parks/images/corporate-site/projects/mount-buffalo-chalet/mount-buffalo-chalet-maintenance-works-20200424-north-wing-repair-and-repaint.jpg?rev=bf97efe74bca4680a79231a3ac40d104&la=en&h=450&w=768&hash=744EFC49A26E16A3E9B776E47998E6F7)
North Wing repaint and repair (after)
![Maintenance works at Mount Buffalo Chalet - North Wing repaint and repair, before 24 April 2020.](/-/media/project/pv/main/parks/images/corporate-site/projects/mount-buffalo-chalet/mount-buffalo-chalet-maintenance-works-20200424-north-wing-before.jpg?rev=c678e695ea5d47dda60ded599d73ac17&la=en&h=450&w=768&hash=C314A760AD0994E6E7C5C7B7A0CD8822)
North Wing repaint and repair (before)
![Maintenance works at Mount Buffalo Chalet - North Wing protection works, 22 April 2020.](/-/media/project/pv/main/parks/images/corporate-site/projects/mount-buffalo-chalet/mount-buffalo-chalet-maintenance-works-20200422-north-wing-protection.jpg?rev=29fe0f01d9104fe295d365f44c3329fc&la=en&h=450&w=768&hash=B81F190AA6BCAC271E0B858A8D26A2D5)
North Wing protection works
![Maintenance works at Mount Buffalo Chalet - new weatherboards arrived for re-cladding work, 20 April 2020.](/-/media/project/pv/main/parks/images/corporate-site/projects/mount-buffalo-chalet/mount-buffalo-chalet-maintenance-works-20200420-new-weatherboards.jpg?rev=bf7223be464e435a831dee6aa40875cb&la=en&h=450&w=768&hash=659B2093F168D0C1414CE333408FB962)
New weatherboards arrive
![Maintenance works at Mount Buffalo Chalet - new solar system, installed 2019.](/-/media/project/pv/main/parks/images/corporate-site/projects/mount-buffalo-chalet/mount-buffalo-chalet-maintenance-works-2019-new-solar-system.jpg?rev=ca91b43270854e9ba64c919c4c5cc6ad&la=en&h=450&w=768&hash=FAD62134684F6BF5B177430F68BB4BFD)
New solar system
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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Notices Affecting Multiple Sites
Reservoir Road closed to vehicle traffic
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.Update: 15 Feb 2024. We are aiming for Reservoir Rd to reopen to vehicle traffic at the beginning of November 2024.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.The road remains accessible for walkers and mountain bike riders.Seasonal Road Closures
Seasonal Road Closures
The Horn Road, Reservoir Road and Lake Catani Road are closed during winter.The Horn Road and Lake Catani Road are closed on the Thursday after Kings Birthday long weekend. Both roads will reopen on 15 September dependent on snow and road conditions post winter.Reservoir Road is also a seasonal road. However, due to flooding this road remains closed until it is repaired. Refer to the 'Change of Conditions' notice on Reservoir Road.Access to The Horn requires walking, cross-country skiing or snowshoeing from Cresta Valley Carpark.Access to Lakeside Picnic Area at Lake Catani requires walking from either The Chalet Carpark along the Gorge Catani walking track or from the closed gate on the Mt Buffalo Road along Lake Catani Track. -
Lake Catani Campground
Lake Catani Campground - open seasonally
Lake Catani campground has two distinct seasons in which camping is permitted:Summer camping period - bookings requiredSummer camping is available from the Friday before Melbourne Cup Day in November until May 1st.Winter camping - no bookings requiredWinter camping is available from the Friday before Kings Birthday long weekend in June until the end of August. During winter Lake Catani Campground is only accessible by skiing, snowshoeing or walking the 2 kms from the gate on Mt Buffalo Road. During winter facilities are limited to a pit toilet, the Stone Hut and firepits. For more information on winter camping refer to the Mt Buffalo winter visitor guide.Campground CLOSEDLake Catani Campground is closed for camping from May 1st until the Friday before Kings Birthday and from August 31st until the Friday before Melbourne Cup Day. Penalties apply for camping during these periods at Lake Catani Campground.Remote hike-in camping sitesRemote hike-in campsites at Mt McLeod and Rocky Creek remain open year round. There are limited sites at each location and bookings are made online. -
Mount Buffalo National Park
Mt Buffalo - Snow chains must be carried
Snow chains must be carried for travel into Mount Buffalo National Park. This notice will be removed if the requirement to carry chains is no longer in place.Mount Buffalo - no vehicle based camping permitted from 1 May to 1 November 2024
There is no vehicle based camping available at Mount Buffalo.The Lake Catani Campground and the Rocky Creek and Mt McLeod remote hike-in campsites are not accessible by vehicle.Winter camping is available at Lake Catani Campground. However, this requires a 2km walk from The Chalet carpark or the closed gate on the junction of Lake Catani Track and Mt Buffalo Road. Refer to the 'Change of Conditions' notice for information on when Lake Catani Campground is open to vehicle based camping.The nearest free camping is available at Smoko, on the Ovens River, or numerous sites in the Buckland Valley. There are also fee-paying caravan and camping parks in Porepunkah and Bright.Car or tent based camping is not allowed at any other locations in Mt Buffalo National Park. Penalties apply.Declared Hazardous Area and snow wheel chain carrying requirements
Requirement to carry snow wheel chainsWhen declared, in the snow season, it is compulsory to carry snow chains and fit them when directed by road signs. The snow season is from Kings Birthday long weekend until the end of September.The requirement to carry snow chains is assessed daily by staff at Mt Buffalo. When it is identified that there will be an extended period of fine weather, that will not produce icy or snowy road conditions, the requirement to carry changes will be revoked. The requirement to carry chains is communicated via signage at the entrance to the park, the emailed snow report and the ‘Change of Conditions’ notices on the Parks Victoria Mt Buffalo web page.Snow chains can be hired from Porepunkah, Bright, Ovens and Myrtleford.13-seater vehicles and busesMt Buffalo Road is a Vic Roads 'Declared hazardous area' during the snow season and drivers of vehicles with 13 seats or more (including the driver) must hold a Hazardous Area Authority (HAA). -
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.