Lake Catani Campground

A small wooden jetty extends from the lake shore, next to a canoe and in front of a hill below a blue sky filled fluffy white clouds.

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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.

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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

 
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.
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.
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.
A picturesque photo of the stone hut near the Horn at Mt Buffalo.

Mount Buffalo National Park

Sheer cliffs, granite tors, waterfalls and big views make Mount Buffalo a must-see alpine retreat
The walking track that leads to remote hiking areas at Mount Buffalo.

Remote hike-in camping

Mount McLeod and Rocky Creek Camping Areas offer a great introduction to overnight camping in Mount Buffalo National Park.

How to get there

Lake Catani Campground

Located on the Mount Buffalo plateau 28km from Porepunkah. Follow the Mount Buffalo Road to the junction of the gravel track into Lake Catani Campground. This is a 2WD track.
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.

 

 

When to go

During summer, enjoy bushwalking, canoeing, swimming, picnicking, sightseeing and cycling. Rock climbing, abseiling and hang-gliding challenge the adventurous visitor.

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.

  • 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.

    Seasonal Road Closures

    Seasonal Road Closures

    The Horn Road, Reservoir Road and Lake Catani Road are closed during winter.
    The Horn Road and Lake Catani Road are closed on the Thursday after Kings Birthday long weekend. Both roads will reopen on 15 September dependent on snow and road conditions post winter.
    Reservoir Road is also a seasonal road. However, due to flooding this road remains closed until it is repaired. Refer to the 'Change of Conditions' notice on Reservoir Road.
    Access to The Horn requires walking, cross-country skiing or snowshoeing from Cresta Valley Carpark.
    Access to Lakeside Picnic Area at Lake Catani requires walking from either The Chalet Carpark along the Gorge Catani walking track or from the closed gate on the Mt Buffalo Road along Lake Catani Track.

  • Lake Catani Campground

    Lake Catani Campground - open seasonally

    Lake Catani campground has two distinct seasons in which camping is permitted:

    Summer camping period - bookings required
    Summer camping is available from the Friday before Melbourne Cup Day in November until May 1st.

    Winter camping - no bookings required
    Winter camping is available from the Friday before Kings Birthday long weekend in June until the end of August.  During winter Lake Catani Campground is only accessible by skiing, snowshoeing or walking the 2 kms from the gate on Mt Buffalo Road. During winter facilities are limited to a pit toilet, the Stone Hut and firepits. For more information on winter camping refer to the Mt Buffalo winter visitor guide.

    Campground CLOSED
    Lake Catani Campground is closed for camping from May 1st until the Friday before Kings Birthday and from August 31st until the Friday before Melbourne Cup Day. Penalties apply for camping during these periods at Lake Catani Campground. 

    Remote hike-in camping sites
    Remote hike-in campsites at Mt McLeod and Rocky Creek remain open year round. There are limited sites at each location and bookings are made online.

  • Mount Buffalo National Park

    Mt Buffalo - Snow chains must be carried

    Snow chains must be carried for travel into Mount Buffalo National Park. This notice will be removed if the requirement to carry chains is no longer in place.

    Mount Buffalo - no vehicle based camping permitted from 1 May to 1 November 2024

    There is no vehicle based camping available at Mount Buffalo.
    The Lake Catani Campground and the Rocky Creek and Mt McLeod remote hike-in campsites are not accessible by vehicle.

    Winter camping is available at Lake Catani Campground.  However, this requires a 2km walk from The Chalet carpark or the closed gate on the junction of Lake Catani Track and Mt Buffalo Road. Refer to the 'Change of Conditions' notice for information on when Lake Catani Campground is open to vehicle based camping.

    The nearest free camping is available at Smoko, on the Ovens River, or numerous sites in the Buckland Valley. There are also fee-paying caravan and camping parks in Porepunkah and Bright.

    Car or tent based camping is not allowed at any other locations in Mt Buffalo National Park. Penalties apply.

    Declared Hazardous Area and snow wheel chain carrying requirements

    Requirement to carry snow wheel chains
    When declared, in the snow season, it is compulsory to carry snow chains and fit them when directed by road signs. The snow season is from Kings Birthday long weekend until the end of September. 
    The requirement to carry snow chains is assessed daily by staff at Mt Buffalo. When it is identified that there will be an extended period of fine weather, that will not produce icy or snowy road conditions, the requirement to carry changes will be revoked. The requirement to carry chains is communicated via signage at the entrance to the park, the emailed snow report and the ‘Change of Conditions’ notices on the Parks Victoria Mt Buffalo web page.
    Snow chains can be hired from Porepunkah, Bright, Ovens and Myrtleford.

    13-seater vehicles and buses
    Mt Buffalo Road is a Vic Roads 'Declared hazardous area' during the snow season and drivers of vehicles with 13 seats or more (including the driver) must hold a Hazardous Area Authority (HAA). 

  • 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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