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 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.

    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.

  • 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 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.

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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