Mount Buffalo and surrounds activation

Mount Buffalo National Park is an iconic and beloved place in north eastern Victoria. It is a magnificent destination for visitors from near and far. Its crisp fresh air, giant tors, deep gorges, tumbling waterfalls, Snow Gum woodlands and masses of summer wildflowers provide something for everyone to enjoy.

The Victorian Government is continuing to invest in a range of infrastructure improvements to strengthen Mount Buffalo National Park and the surrounding area as a key tourism drawcard, proving a year-round attraction for north eastern Victoria.

Mount Buffalo Chalet

The iconic Mount Buffalo Chalet is the largest timber building in Australia, and is included on both the Victorian Heritage Register and the National Heritage List. The Victorian Government is committed to conserving significant heritage places and Parks Victoria undertakes regular maintenance to maintain the Chalet in good condition. 

Mount Buffalo Chalet will reopen as the first step to reinvigorate the nationally significant heritage site. The reopening will strengthen Mount Buffalo National Park and the surrounding area as a tourism drawcard, providing a year-round attraction for North Eastern Victoria. 

 

Parks Victoria is partnering with the Belgravia Group to reactivate the Chalet. Belgravia has signed a 40-year lease to operate programs and services from the Chalet, commencing in February 2025.  This includes school outdoor education camps, re-activation of a café as well as a heritage hotel offering in future years. 

 

The activation of the Chalet will happen in stages.  School outdoor education camps are planned to begin in February 2025. 

 

Chalet annual maintenance program

• Each year, Parks Victoria allocates funding to the upkeep and ongoing maintenance of the building. 
• Between 2015 to 2018, the Victorian Government invested $2.8 million to conserve and protect the Chalet front façade and foundations.

• Additionally, Parks Victoria undertakes an annual maintenance program of the Chalet and surrounding gardens.
  

Chalet Commonwealth funding

• The Commonwealth Government announced a $61.7 million investment in Australia’s environment, jobs and tourism. As part of this package, Parks Victoria received a $3 million grant for conservation works to the historic Mount Buffalo Chalet.
• The conservation works have started, helping to protect the 114-year-old building. Works will involve repairs to the timber facade including painting and works to several windows.  The replacement of some timber stumps and improvements to water drainage around the buildings will be undertaken.

 

Timing: Subject to on-ground and construction industry conditions, conservation works are expected to be completed by April 2025.

 

The Gorge Visitor Area Upgrade

• In 2018 the Victorian Government committed $1.5 million into upgrading the Gorge Visitor Area adjacent to the Mount Buffalo Chalet. 
• The project encompasses a new all-ability observation deck with a see-through glass floor section, improvement of car and coach parking and upgrade to the toilet block and waste water treatment system.
• The upgraded lookout and walkway were completed in summer 2020-21.

 

Falls to Hotham Alpine Crossing

Visit the project page for the latest information about the Falls to Hotham Alpine Crossing project.