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.

  • The Big Walk (Mount Buffalo National Park)

    Planned Burn Mt Buffalo- Kangaroo Creek

    Subject to weather conditions the 610 hectare Eurobin- Kangaroo Ck burn will be ignited on the 22th April. 
    Sections of the Big Walk, Seven Mile Spur and Nine Mile Track will be closed for public safety and traffic management will be in place on the Mt Buffalo road.

  • Mount Buffalo National Park

    Mount Buffalo National Park, Planned Burn Kangaroo Creek

    Planned Burn In Kangaroo Creek catchment
    Closure on 7 Mile and 9 Mile tracks.
    Traffic management will be in place on the Buffalo Rd,
     Monday 22nd and 23rd of April.

  • Lake Catani Campground (Mount Buffalo National Park)

    registering your vehicle and additional vehicles

    Registering all vehicles on your campground booking
     It is a requirement that all vehicles are registered on your booking for your stay at Lake Catani Campground.
    Your campsite booking allows for one vehicle per site. Any additional vehicles must also be registered and a fee of $10.80 per vehicle per night applies.
    Please log in to the online booking portal and:
    ·     add the registration number of your first vehicle and/or
    ·     register and pay for all additional vehicles.
    Rangers will be checking for this information.

    If you are unable to log in to the booking portal phone Parks Victoria Customer Service on 13 19 63.

    For information on vehicle allocations and additional vehicle costs visit: https://www.parks.vic.gov.au/about-us/fees-and-charges
    Fees and Changes schedule 2023/24 – 2024/25 - “For vehicle-accessible campsites, one vehicle per campsite is included in the permit fee. Additional vehicle charges apply for each additional vehicle, charged on a per-night basis.”

    Vehicle registration numbers and payment of additional vehicles is important:
    - minimising the number of vehicles per site and throughout the campground reduces the overall impact of dust and vegetation damage, increases visitor amenity (less noise, looks and feels like a campground rather than a carpark) and for the safety of visitors (walking and riding around the campground)
    - risk management - the Park is closed the evening prior to declared Catastrophic Fire days. It is easier to contact people if vehicles are registered.

    All vehicles must be parked on the footprint of your campsite (except for the walk-in sites). If your vehicle(s) do not fit, please park in front of the stone hut or in the parking area near the canoe launch area. Thankyou.
     

  • 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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