Explore
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.
Set amongst picturesque snow gums, this idyllic and family friendly camping area offers 47 campsites. Some sites are suitable for small caravans and campervans while others are suitable for car camping and tents only. Walk-in campsites provide campers with even quieter surroundings.
There is also a special area set aside for schools and social groups, and several campsites are available for visitors with limited mobility, along with a separate accessible toilet and hot shower.
Though campers are required to be self-sufficient with drinking water, the scenic campground contains everything else you need for a comfortable stay - from flush toilets and hot showers to dishwashing and laundry sinks. A historic stone hut features benches and tables and two fireplaces for shared use. Great for rainy days.
Nearby, a picnic shelter overlooks Lake Catani at the popular Lakeside Day Visitor Area. The shelter has accessible toilets, free gas barbecues and tables. This area is the perfect setting for picnicking , enjoying a cool swim, fishing or paddling a canoe.
As rivers, lakes and reservoirs are natural environments, you may encounter hazards. Follow our water safety advice to make sure your day out at Lake Catani is a safe and enjoyable one.
Things to do
The Horn
The Gorge and Mount Buffalo Chalet
Ladies Bath and Eurobin Falls
Mount Buffalo National Park
Remote hike-in camping
How to get there
Lake Catani Campground
When you're there
Lake Catani Campground and its adjoining day visitor area are in a central location on the Mt Buffalo plateau and within easy access to The Gorge and numerous walking tracks. Download the Mount Buffalo National Park Visitor Guide before you go, for information on walks and other activities.
Lake Catani Campground booking information
Camping at Lake Catani is seasonal. 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.
Need to know
Lake Catani Campground
Accessibility
The Lake Catani camping area has several campsites that are well-suited for visitors in wheelchairs as they are located on reasonably level ground and are located within 50 metres of the visitor amenities building. The most accessible sites are sites 2, 3, 11 and 12.
Access to the toilets and showers from the campsites is from one of several compacted gravel paths that meander through the trees from the various campsites, with some paths wider than others.
There are no designated disabled parking bays in the camping area but campsites have sufficient space for vehicles to be parked close to the tents.
The unisex accessible toilet and shower has its own separate entrance in the visitor amenities building.
Download the Lake Catani Campground Accessibility Guide for detailed information.
Restrictions
- No generators
- No horses
- No dogs, cats, or other pets allowed
- No fires permitted outside of existing campfire structures
- No firearms allowed
- No drones or Remotely Piloted Aircraft
- Speed restrictions apply
- Fees apply
Safety in nature
Mount Buffalo National Park is in the North East fire district. Bushfires can occur during the warmer months. It is your responsibility to check current and forecast weather conditions. Campfires cannot be lit on days of Total Fire Ban, however gas cookers can be used for preparing food.
Check the Fire Danger Rating and for days of Total Fire Ban at emergency.vic.gov.au, on the Vic Emergency App or call the Vic Emergency Hotline 1800 226 226.
To ensure that you and your companions stay safe, always remember that the natural environment can be unpredictable. At Lake Catani, be aware of difficult terrain, tree falls and both shallow and deep water. Keep to tracks and keep your eyes out for snakes and other wildlife which are more active in the warmer months. Before you go, look at our safety tips.
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 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. -
Notices Affecting Multiple Sites
Mt Buffalo National Park Snow and Road Report - JUNE 25th 2025
Mt Buffalo National Park Snow, Road, and Weather Daily Report
Time: 09:00 hrs Date: Wednesday 25th June 2025Current conditionsView 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