The Gorge and Mount Buffalo Chalet

Two small children jump over granite boulders infront of their watching mother, with snow capped mountains in the background

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The Gorge and Mount Buffalo Chalet

Mount Buffalo National Park

If you only have a short time to spend in Mount Buffalo National Park, the Gorge is the place to visit. Home to historic Mount Buffalo Chalet, the Gorge is perched on 200m sheer cliffs and commands fantastic views over the Alps. Enjoy one of the easy but rewarding walks and bring a picnic. 
The Gorge is a perfect daytrip for people holidaying near Bright. There are picnic facilities and toilets, including accessible facilities for disabled visitors. And there's plenty to do, with a number of viewpoints from which to enjoy the stunning Alpine panoramas, the chalet and a range of walks. Some of the walks have benches for rest stops, making the Gorge an excellent place for people who are less mobile. 

Things to do

Water cascades down the granite rockface at Eurobin Falls.

Ladies Bath and Eurobin Falls

At Ladies Bath Falls, water cascades into a perfectly clear pool of water, while at Upper and Lower Eurobin Falls, Crystal Creek spills spectacularly over a formidable granite escarpment.
The jetty at Lake Catani near the campground at Mount Buffalo National Park

Lake Catani Campground

Discover magnificent waterfalls and remote alpine landscapes while camping within beautiful Snow Gum woodlands beside Lake Catani in Mount Buffalo National Park.
A couple in their thirties approach the summit lookout at the Horn of Mount Buffalo.

The Horn

Enjoy a picnic with a view at The Horn before climbing to the highest point in Mount Buffalo National Park and surveying the folded mountains of the Great Dividing Range stretching into the distance.

How to get there

The Gorge and Mount Buffalo Chalet

Mount Buffalo is 325 kilometres, or three and a half hours’ drive, northeast of Melbourne along the Hume Highway. Either take the Snow Road exit just before Wangaratta or continue along the highway to the Great Alpine Road (B500) exit. Watch out for native animals, especially early in the morning and at dusk. Take care driving during winter. The main road is often snow covered. Snow chains must be carried and fitted when and where directed by road signs during the declared snow season.
The Gorge and Mount Buffalo Chalet

Facilities

Carpark
Lookout
Picnic Area
Toilets

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.

Contractors on site

After recent snowfall, 11 May 2020.
Maintenance works at Mount Buffalo Chalet - Elgas refurbishment of large bullets to provide gas heating for the building, 6 May 2020.

Elgas

Refurbishment of large bullets to provide gas heating for the building, 6 May 2020.
Maintenance works at Mount Buffalo Chalet - generator replacement project underway, 6 May 2020.

Generator replacement project underway

6 May 2020.
Maintenance works at Mount Buffalo Chalet - re-cladding of the kitchen wall, 6 May 2020.

Re-cladding of the kitchen wall

6 May 2020.
Maintenance works at Mount Buffalo Chalet - North Wing repaint and repair, after 24 April 2020.

North Wing repaint and repair (after)

After 24 April 2020.
Maintenance works at Mount Buffalo Chalet - North Wing repaint and repair, before 24 April 2020.

North Wing repaint and repair (before)

Before 24 April 2020.
Maintenance works at Mount Buffalo Chalet - North Wing protection works, 22 April 2020.

North Wing protection works

22 April 2020.
Maintenance works at Mount Buffalo Chalet - new weatherboards arrived for re-cladding work, 20 April 2020.

New weatherboards arrive

Weatherboards arrive for re-cladding work, 20 April 2020.
Maintenance works at Mount Buffalo Chalet - new solar system, installed 2019.

New solar system

Installed 2019.

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.

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

    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.

    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.

  • 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 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 National Park

    Lake Catani campground is currently closed. Camping is not permitted. The campground is closed in the shoulder periods between the summer and winter seasons.

    Lake Catani campground is currently closed. Camping is not permitted. The campground is closed in the shoulder periods between the summer and winter seasons.
     
     
    Summer and holiday periods 
     
    Summer camping at Lake Catani is available from the beginning of November (Melbourne Cup weekend) until the end of April and campsites must be booked online in advance. Advance online bookings apply at Lake Catani Campground for selected holiday periods. Refer to the information on peak season bookings for release dates and minimum booking periods.
     
    Winter
     
    Available from the Friday before the King’s Birthday long weekend in June until the end of August, winter camping is available at Lake Catani for free. No booking is required. Lake Catani Campground is only accessible by skiing, snowshoeing or walking. The track into Lake Catani is a seasonal road and is closed from the Thursday after the King’s Birthday long weekend until mid-September. The road closure may remain in place longer if the track is impacted by snow. The campground amenities are closed during winter. However, a pit toilet located behind the Stone Hut is open for winter campers.
     
    Thanks.

  • 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.

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