Explore
Mt McLeod Hike-in Camping Area (Mount Buffalo National Park, North Buffalo Remote and Natural Area)
Mount McLeod Campground is a remote hike in camping experience. This secluded campsite amongst alpine wetlands allows for 10 people overnight with two per site. Bookings required. Carry sufficient water for your stay and fuel stoves only please. Accessible from the Mt Mcleod Fire Track and located approximately 8km from the Reservoir Picnic
How to get there
Mt McLeod Hike-in Camping Area (Mount Buffalo National Park, North Buffalo Remote and Natural Area)
Need to know
Mt McLeod Hike-in Camping Area (Mount Buffalo National Park, North Buffalo Remote and Natural Area)
Safety in nature
You can benefit both mind and body when you get outdoors to explore and experience Victoria's natural places. Before you go, take a look at our safety tips and check our changed conditions and closures information for a great visit.
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. Parks Victoria provides a range of a equipment, including all-terrain and beach wheelchairs, facilities, accommodation and accessibility information and programs to help you plan and enjoy your visit to Victoria's parks.
Assistance dogs are welcome in Parks Victoria parks and reserves. Entry requirements apply for parks and reserves that are usually dog prohibited, such as national parks.
Warnings & Restrictions
Dogs
Dogs are not allowed
Restrictions
- No firearms allowed
- No vehicles
- Fees apply
- Management vehicle only
- No dogs allowed
- No horses
- No fires permitted
Warnings
-
Terrain hazards
- Steep track
- Unstable cliffs
- Uneven ground
-
Other warnings
- Trees may fall take care
- Limbs may fall take care
-
Animals and pests
- Beware European wasps
Be Prepared
Stay safe and get the most out of your park visit by preparing for natural hazards and other outdoor risks in Victoria’s parks. You are responsible for your own safety and the safety of those in your care. Find out more.
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.
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.
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.
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, 1st November 2024 prior to the Melbourne Cup day weekend.
Planned aerial shooting operations targeting deer
The following parks will be closed while aerial shooting operations targeting deer
are undertaken:
11-15 Nov 2024
18-22 Nov 2024
·
Alpine
National Park (Bogong High Plains, Mt Bogong,
Feathertop, Dinner Plain/Dargo High Plains Howitt, Wellington & Snowy
Plains)
3-7 Feb 2025
·
Alpine
National Park (Bogong High Plains, Mt Bogong, Feathertop)
·
Mt
Buffalo National Park
·
Mt
Mittamatite (Mitta Mitta) Regional Park
·
Wabba
Wilderness Park
·
Burrowa-Pine
Mountain National Park
3-7 Mar 2025
·
Alpine
National Park (Bogong High Plains, Mt Bogong, Feathertop, Dinner Plain/Dargo
High Plains, Howitt, Wellington & Snowy Plains)
More
information will be posted here prior to operations commencing. Visitors are
advised to check the Change
of conditions listing prior to arrival for up to date information and
maps.
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.
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.
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.