The Horn

A stone hut overlooking an alpine view framed by a ghostly snowgum

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The Horn

Mount Buffalo National Park

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.

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 group of abseilers descend into the Gorge at Mt Buffalo with views of the Bogong High Plains in the back ground.

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.
The Horn

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.

  • Mount Buffalo National Park

    Planned aerial shooting operations targeting deer – Mt Buffalo National Park

    Parts of Mt Buffalo National Park will be closed while aerial shooting operations targeting deer are undertaken (See attached map for details).
     
    The closures will apply during the following dates:
     
    24-28 March 2025
     
    Visitors are advised to check the Change of conditions listing prior to arrival for up to date information and maps.
     
    For more information about the program please visit this link.

    Attachments: Mt Buffalo NP aerial ops information (444KB)

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

    Rocky Creek Track Access - Changing Track Conditions

    Rocky Creek Track and Campground Closure
     
    The Rocky Creek Track and Campground will be closed on weekdays from Tuesday the 11th of March to Friday the 28th of March, 2025.

    During this period bookings are available for Saturday nights and public holidays. 
     
    Visitors are advised to stay alert to changing conditions and adhere to any closures. 
     
    Rocky Creek Track – Change of Conditions
     
    Planned repairs to storm-damaged sections of Reservoir Road will start on Monday, March 3, 2025, and are expected to be completed by Spring 2025.

    During this time, the Rocky Creek Track is not accessible via Reservoir Road on weekdays (Monday to Friday). Access via Reservoir Road is open on weekends and public holidays.

    Alternative access routes include:

    • Long Plain Track (approximately 3.7 km to Rocky Creek Track)
    • Long Plain Track and Macs Point Track (approximately 5.1 km to Rocky Creek Track)
     
    Refer to attached map.

    Attachments: VG_MtBuffaloNP_Map2_RockyCk (3,142KB)

  • 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)

  • 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)

  • 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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