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. The Horn is the perfect place to enjoy a sunset or sunrise within an easy drive of the beautiful Alpine town of Bright.
Perched on top of granite cliffs at the edge of the Mount Buffalo plateau, The Horn is a unique landscape. Dotted here and there among the great boulders are the twisted, sun-bleached trunks of Snow Gums that have succumbed to bushfires over the years. A stone lookout shelter perched precariously atop the cliff overlooks all of this as well as the surrounding mountains far below.
Bring your lunch and enjoy the Alpine scene from the comfort of a table at The Horn Picnic Area. The picnic area isn't actually at the top of The Horn. You can access the summit via a short walk (45 minutes return).
This is also a popular place to watch a sunset. If you're lucky you might see little Australian Kestrels diving on Bogong Moths in the failing light. Otherwise, just enjoy the solitude of this mountain peak far above the worries of civilisation.
Bring your lunch and enjoy the Alpine scene from the comfort of a table at The Horn Picnic Area. The picnic area isn't actually at the top of The Horn. You can access the summit via a short walk (45 minutes return).
This is also a popular place to watch a sunset. If you're lucky you might see little Australian Kestrels diving on Bogong Moths in the failing light. Otherwise, just enjoy the solitude of this mountain peak far above the worries of civilisation.
Things to do
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.
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.
The Gorge and Mount Buffalo Chalet
Home to historic Mount Buffalo Chalet, the Gorge is perched on 200m sheer cliffs and commands fantastic views over the Alps.
How to get there
The Horn
Mount Buffalo is 325 kilometres (three and a half hours’ drive) northeast from 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 from McKinnons Corner through to Cresta Valley. Snow chains must be carried and fitted when and where directed by road signs during the declared snow season. Horn Road is unsealed and can become dusty and rough. It is closed during winter or following periods of heavy rain. Horn Road is not suitable for caravans.
When you're there
The Horn Picnic Area is located just below The Horn which is the highest point of Mount Buffalo at 1,723 metres. The views from the picnic area are superb, but a walk along the Horn Track, which starts from here, will take you to another lookout with 360 degree views of the plateau and Australian Alps. The trail is 800m or 45 minutes return. The nearest toilets to the Horn Picnic Area are located at Cathedral Saddle.
Need to know
The Horn
Accessibility
Visiting a park can be more of a challenge for people with disabilities, however in Victoria there are a wide range of facilities to help people of all abilities enjoy our wonderful parks around the state.
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.
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. -
Mount Buffalo National Park
Panned Burn Mt Buffalo - Kangaroo Creek
The Forest Fire Management Victoria Eurobin - Kangaroo Creek planned burn was ignited on the 22th April 2024.Sections of the Seven Mile Spur and Nine Mile Track will be closed for public safety, traffic management will be in place on the Mt Buffalo Road, FFMV crews are still working in the area and smoke will be visible, so please drive with care and observed speed signs. -
Lake Catani Campground (Mount Buffalo National Park)
registering your vehicle and additional vehicles
Registering all vehicles on your campground booking
It is a requirement that all vehicles are registered on your booking for your stay at Lake Catani Campground.
Your campsite booking allows for one vehicle per site. Any additional vehicles must also be registered and a fee of $10.80 per vehicle per night applies.
Please log in to the online booking portal and:
· add the registration number of your first vehicle and/or
· register and pay for all additional vehicles.
Rangers will be checking for this information.
If you are unable to log in to the booking portal phone Parks Victoria Customer Service on 13 19 63.
For information on vehicle allocations and additional vehicle costs visit: https://www.parks.vic.gov.au/about-us/fees-and-charges
Fees and Changes schedule 2023/24 – 2024/25 - “For vehicle-accessible campsites, one vehicle per campsite is included in the permit fee. Additional vehicle charges apply for each additional vehicle, charged on a per-night basis.”
Vehicle registration numbers and payment of additional vehicles is important:- minimising the number of vehicles per site and throughout the campground reduces the overall impact of dust and vegetation damage, increases visitor amenity (less noise, looks and feels like a campground rather than a carpark) and for the safety of visitors (walking and riding around the campground)- risk management - the Park is closed the evening prior to declared Catastrophic Fire days. It is easier to contact people if vehicles are registered.All vehicles must be parked on the footprint of your campsite (except for the walk-in sites). If your vehicle(s) do not fit, please park in front of the stone hut or in the parking area near the canoe launch area. Thankyou.
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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.