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 – 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
Mt Buffalo National Park Snow, Road, and Weather Daily Report
Time: 08:30 hrs Date: Sunday 15th June 2025Current conditionsFresh snowSnow coverTemperatureDingo Dell Day Shelter0cmGood0° @ Mt Buffalo Park Office
TobogganingStatusConditionGroomed dateDingo Dell – elevation 1420mOpenGood08/06/25Cresta Valley - elevation 1480mOpenVery Good11/06/25No toboggan rental available on Mt Buffalo this year. Rental available in Porepunkah, Bright, Myrtleford & OvensSnowshoe Trails(Marked with snowshoe signs)StatusConditionOpenVery GoodSentinel – 1.5 km returnOpenVery GoodCresta Valley – 2kms returnOpenVery GoodCross Country TrailsStatusConditionGroomed dateBeginners LoopOpenGood08/06/25Bogong PlainOpenGood11/6/25The Horn RoadOpenGood08/06/25Vehicle chainsStatusTo be carriedYesCurrently being fittedNoPlease 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 ConditionsToboggan SlopesExcellent – good deep cover with fresh surfaceVery Good – good deep coverGood – good cover, may have wet areas and or holes to soilFair – mostly covered but could be wet, holes and other hazardsPoor – patchy cover, wet, holes and other hazardsSnow play – enough snow for scraping together a small snow creature and some snowballsSightseeing – patches of snow to look atNo snow – time to go hikingInterpreting the Snow ConditionsCross Country Ski Trails and Snowshoe TrailsExcellent - good deep cover with fresh surfaceVery Good - good deep coverGood - complete cover with occasional obstacleFair - mostly continuous snow cover with some obstaclesPoor - mostly continuous snow cover with numerous obstaclesPatchy - patchy cover, insufficient for skiing or snowshoeingClosed - time to go kayakingView the Dingo Dell and Cresta Valley SnowcamsMt Buffalo Weather StationThe 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 VisitorsIt 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.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 -
Mt McLeod Hike-in Camping Area (North Buffalo Remote and Natural Area, Mount Buffalo National Park)
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)
- Long
Plain Track, Rocky Creek Track, Five Acre Track, and Og Gog & McGog
Track (approximately 7.5 km to Mt McLeod Track)
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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)
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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.