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 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.

  • Notices Affecting Multiple Sites

    Mount Buffalo Snow Report 24.07.25

    Mount Buffalo National Park Snow, Road, and Weather Daily Report
    Time:     09:00 hrs                     Date: Thursday 24th July 2025
    Current conditions
    Fresh snow
    Snow cover
    Temperature  
    Dingo Dell Day Shelter
    Light dusting of snow
    Good
    0°C @ Mt Buffalo Park Office
     
     
    Tobogganing
    Status
    Condition
    Groomed date
    Dingo Dell – elevation 1420m
    Open
    Fair
    19/7/25
    Cresta Valley - elevation 1480m
    Open
    Good
    9/7/25
     
    No toboggan rental available on Mt Buffalo this year. Rental available in Porepunkah, Bright, Myrtleford & Ovens
     
     
    Snowshoe Trails
    (Marked with snowshoe signs)
    Status
    Condition
     
    Open
    Fair
     
    Sentinel – 1.5 km return
    Open
    Good
     
    Cresta Valley – 2kms return
    Open
    Good
     
     
     
    Cross Country Trails
    Status
    Condition
    Groomed date
    Beginners Loop
    Open
    Good
    9/7/25
    Bogong Plain
    Open
    Fair
    9/7/25
    The Horn Road
    Open
    Good
    9/7/25
     
     
    Vehicle chains
    Status
    To be carried
    Yes
    Currently being fitted
    Yes – From Dingo Dell Chain Bay
     
    Please 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 Conditions
    Toboggan Slopes
    Excellent – good deep cover with fresh surface
    Very Good – good deep cover
    Good – good cover, may have wet areas and or holes to soil
    Fair – mostly covered but could be wet, holes and other hazards
    Poor – patchy cover, wet, holes and other hazards
    Snow play – enough snow for scraping together a small snow creature and some snowballs
    Sightseeing – patches of snow to look at
    No snow – time to go hiking
    Interpreting the Snow Conditions
    Cross Country Ski Trails and Snowshoe Trails
    Excellent - good deep cover with fresh surface
    Very Good - good deep cover
    Good - complete cover with occasional obstacle
    Fair - mostly continuous snow cover with some obstacles
    Poor - mostly continuous snow cover with numerous obstacles
    Patchy - patchy cover, insufficient for skiing or snowshoeing
    Closed - time to go kayaking
     
     
    View the Dingo Dell and Cresta Valley Snowcams
    Mt Buffalo Weather Station
    The 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 Visitors
    It 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.
    If you would like to receive the Mt Buffalo Snow Report email tomas.sanchez@parks.vic.gov.au
    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

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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