Remote hike-in camping

A yellow tent and tarp shelter is pitched in a clearing in front of some alpine shrubs

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Remote hike-in camping

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

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The two camping areas, accessed on foot from the Reservoir Picnic Area, offer a great opportunity to escape into the alpine surrounds of Mount Buffalo National Park.

Open year round but often under snow during winter, both campgrounds are best visited from November through April, when longer days bring more favourable weather. Also, between Queen's Birthday and Melbourne Cup long-weekends, the walk into the both campsites is 3km longer and begins at Mount Buffalo Road, as Reservoir Road is seasonally closed. Campers need to be well prepared for Alpine areas and prepared for a long walk and ski. Advance booking and payment are required year round.

Mount McLeod Hike-in Camping Area
This camping area is accessible along Mt McLeod track — approximately 8km from the Reservoir Picnic area.

The campground offers five unpowered campsites and a pit toilet. Each campsite accommodates a maximum of two people (children are charged as adults). Fires are prohibited, use fuel stoves only.

Water is seasonally available from where the road crosses a creek, approximately 100m southwest of the campsite. Hikers are advised to treat before consumption otherwise carry sufficient water supplies for the duration of their stay.

Rocky Creek Hike-in Camping Area
This camping area is accessible along Rocky Creek track — approximately 6.5 km from the Reservoir Picnic Area.

The campground offers five unpowered campsites and a pit toilet. Each campsite accommodates a maximum of two people (children are charged as adults). Fires are prohibited, use fuel stoves only.

Water is available from the nearby creek. Hikers are advised to treat before consumption.

Things To Do

 
Two women follow the path through scrub up Mt Bogong with mountain views in the distance.

Walking

Whether you’re after a gentle stroll or something long-distance, there are walking trails to suit all levels of fitness and ability.
A couple in their thirties take in the view along Dead Timber Track.

Hiking and bushwalking

Witness breathtaking natural scenery at some of Victoria’s most iconic places when you lace up your boots and take to a hiking trail.
Stargazing in the Murray Sunset National Park.

Stargazing

Escape the city lights to remote nature locations to see the spectacular starry southern night sky.

How to get there

Remote hike-in camping

Access both campgrounds is from the trailhead at the end of Reservoir Road. From there follow the sign posts along management vehicle only tracks to Rocky Creek and Mount McLeod camping areas.

Head along Mount Buffalo road towards the Horn and Reservoir road is the first right after the Park Ranger's office. Reservoir Road is unsealed and depending on the conditions may not be suitable for some 2WDs with low clearance.

Remote hike-in camping

Sites

When you're there

Download the Mount Buffalo National Park visitor guide for more information about the park and the plethora of experiences to be had within its borders. 

Need to know

Remote hike-in camping

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.

Be prepared and stay safe

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.

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.

Three friends stop for a quick drink late in the afternoon on their walk from Hotham to Falls Creek.

Falls to Hotham Alpine Crossing

One of Victoria's icon walks, the 37km Falls to Hotham Alpine Crossing (FHAC) is a 3 day/2 night walk through the Alpine National Park, linking the resort villages of Falls Creek and Mt Hotham.
Two women walk towards the summit of Mt Bogong in the Alpine National Park.

Mount Bogong

At 1986 metres, Mt Bogong is the highest peak in Victoria and attracts hikers and skiers.
Two friends walk along the track south of Redmans Bluff with views of the Serra Range in the background on central section 3 of the GPT

Grampians Peaks Trail

The Grampians Peaks Trail (160km) is a world-class 13-day hiking experience from Mt Zero in the north, through Halls Gap and finishing at Dunkeld. It can also be completed in shorter sections.
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