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.

  • Lake Catani Campground (Mount Buffalo National Park)

    Lake Catani Campground CLOSED

    Lake Catani Campground is open seasonally. Currently the campground is closed and there are no facilities open. The closest options for vehicle based camping are:
    - Buckland River valley (DEECA managed camping areas in the state forest) link
    - Smoko Streamside Reserve on the Ovens River (DEECA managed camping area)
    - Nug Nug Reserve in the Buffalo River valley link
    - or local caravan parks in Bright and Porepunkah

    Hike-in camping is available at the more remote camping sites of Rocky Creek and Mount McLeod. There is no vehicle access to these sites. There is a pit toilet and the areas are fuel stove only. There are four campsites at each location. Bookings online at www.parks.vic.gov.au/stay or by contacting the Parks Victoria Information Centre on 13 1963.

    Lake Catani Campground reopens on Friday, 3rd November prior to the Melbourne Cup day weekend.



  • Notices Affecting Multiple Sites

    Mt Buffalo seasonal road closures

    The Horn Road, Reservoir Road and the track into Lake Catani, Lakeside and the campground are seasonally closed roads. These roads are generally reopened on the 15th September. However, this year only the track into Lakeside picnic area will be opened on 15th September (gates into the campground remain locked until the campground opens on the Friday before Melbourne Cup Day).

    The Horn Road requires grading and flood damage repairs to be completed before the road can be reopened. This notice will be updated when The Horn Road reopens.

    Reservoir Road remains closed due to extensive flood damage in June.

    Reservoir Road closed due to extensive storm damage

    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.

    Reservoir Road is seasonally closed from the Thursday after the Kings Birthday Long Weekend until September 15 or until road conditions allow.

    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 dep    ot.

  • Notices Affecting Multiple Parks

    Ground shooting operations targeting deer

    Ground control operations targeting deer will be undertaken in these Parks and Reserves from December 2022 to December 2023. These areas will remain open to visitors during operations.
     
    Alpine National Park (Bogong High Plains, Mount Bogong, Dinner Plain, Dargo High Plains, Foothills and Southern Alps)
    Buchan Caves Reserve
    Burrowa-Pine Mountain
    Cape Conran Coastal Park
    Cape Liptrap Coastal Park
    Cabbage Tree Creek Flora Reserve
    Errinundra National Park
    Lake Tyers State Park
    Lakes National Park
    Baw Baw National Park
    Mount Buffalo National Park
    Mount Mittamatite Regional Park
    Mount Mitta Mitta Flora Reserve
    Mount Lawson State Park
    Mount Granya State Park
    Mountain Creek Education Area
    Pheasant Creek Flora Reserve
    Wabba Wilderness Park
    Wilsons Promontory National Park

    For more information about deer control to protect biodiversity, please visit this link.

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