The Reservoir Picnic Area (Mount Buffalo National Park)

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The Reservoir Picnic Area (Mount Buffalo National Park)

The Reservoir Day Visitor Area is your key to accessing the remote and rugged interior of Mount Buffalo National Park. Escape with a day hike to the heart of the Buffalo Plateau or come prepared and spend a night in true wilderness at Rocky Creek or Mount McLeod.

How to get there

The Reservoir Picnic Area (Mount Buffalo National Park)

The Reservoir Picnic Area (Mount Buffalo National Park)

Need to know

The Reservoir Picnic Area (Mount Buffalo National Park)

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 fires permitted
  • No dogs allowed
  • No camping
  • Boating zones apply
  • No firearms allowed

Warnings

    • None applicable

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 – Closure for repair

Reservoir Road will be closed for storm damage repairs starting Monday the 3rd of March 2025, with completion expected by Spring 2025.

Reservoir Road will be closed to walkers, mountain bikers, and vehicles on weekdays (Monday to Friday) due to operational construction activities including large machinery repairing damaged sections.

The road will open to walkers and mountain bikers on weekends and public holidays.

Alternative access to Mt McLeod, Rocky Creek, Eagle Point, and Og Gog & McGog is available via Long Plain Track.

Visitors are advised to stay alert to changing conditions and adhere to any closures.

Attachments: Reservior_Rd_Closure_Map (334KB)

Weekend closure - Gorge-Catani Track

The Gorge-Catani Track will be CLOSED weekdays for repairs starting Monday the 19th of May to Friday the 13th of June 2025.
 
The Gorge-Catani Track will be closed to walkers and mountain bikers on weekdays (Monday to Friday) due to  construction activities.
 
The track will open to walkers and mountain bikers on weekends and public holidays.
 
The monolith walk can be accessed via the following trail head locations.
 
 
 
Visitors are advised to stay alert to changing conditions and adhere to any closures.

Weekday Closure - Gorge - Catani Track

The Gorge-Catani Track will be CLOSED weekdays for repairs starting Monday the 19th of May to Friday the 13th of June 2025.
 
The Gorge-Catani Track will be closed to walkers and mountain bikers on weekdays (Monday to Friday) due to construction activities. 
 
The track will open to walkers and mountain bikers on weekends and public holidays.
 
The Monolith Walk can be accessed via the following trailhead locations:
 
 
 
Visitors are advised to stay alert to changing conditions and adhere to any closures.

Mt McLeod Track – Changing Track Conditions

Repair works on storm-damaged sections of Reservoir Road from Monday the 3rd of March 2025 will close access to the Mt McLeod Track for walkers and mountain bikers on weekdays (Monday to Friday).

Alternative access routes to the track includes:
  • Long Plain Track, Rocky Creek Track, Five Acre Track, and Og Gog & McGog Track (approximately 7.5 km to Mt McLeod Track)
 
Refer to attached map. 

Mt McLeod Campground Closure
The Mt McLeod Campground will be closed Monday to Friday due to access restraints from Reservoir Rd.
 
Bookings are available for Saturday nights.

Visitors are advised to stay alert to changing conditions and adhere to any closures.

Attachments: VG_MtBuffaloNP_Map2_MtMcleod (3,178KB)

Rocky Creek Track Alternative Access

Alternative access to the Rocky Creek Track is required Weekdays due to the closure of Reservoir Road for repairs.


Weekday access to the Rocky Creek track is available via the Long Plain Track.
 
Refer to attached map. 

Attachments: VG_MtBuffaloNP_Map2_RockyCk (3,142KB)

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.

Mount Buffalo Snow Report 10/6/2025

Mt Buffalo National Park Snow, Road, and Weather Daily Report
Time: 08:30 hrs                    Date: Tuesday 10th June 2025
Current conditions
Fresh snow
Snow cover
Temperature  
Dingo Dell Day Shelter
Light dusting from Dingo Dell onwards
Very Good
1.5°
@ Mt Buffalo Park Office

 
Tobogganing
Status
Condition
Dingo Dell – elevation 1420m
Open
Excellent, Groomed 08/06/25
Cresta Valley - elevation 1480m
Open
Excellent, Groomed 08/06/25
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
Excellent
Sentinel – 1.5 km return
Open
Excellent
Cresta Valley – 2kms return
Open
Excellent
 
Cross Country Trails
Status
Last Groomed (date)
Beginners Loop
Open
08/06/25
Bogong Plain
Open
08/6/25
The Horn Road
Open
08/06/25
 
Vehicle chains
Status
To be carried
Yes
Currently being fitted
No
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
 

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