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 historic Mount Buffalo Chalet, made predominantly from timber, was designed to be a temporary building. Over the years, various improvements and additions have been made, and to fully restore the 113-year-old chalet would require a substantial multi-million-dollar investment. The Victorian Government is committed to maintaining the heritage values of the building and its surrounds, with Parks Victoria undertaking an annual maintenance program which complements the array of investments made over the past few years.

Food and beverage expressions of interest (EOI)

Parks Victoria has completed the assessment of applications received for the 2022 Mount Buffalo Chalet Food and Beverage Expression of Interest (EOI). However, none of the applications met the full requirements of the EOI Assessment Criteria so a proponent has not been appointed. Parks Victoria will continue working with Regional Development Victoria to reactivate the Chalet through a future EOI process.

Mount Buffalo Chalet with garden in bloom

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 $3 million grant funds conservation works to further repair and protect the Chalet facade, and ensure a wind and watertight external building envelope, compliant with Victorian heritage building regulations.

Timing: These works are expected to be complete in 2023.

New roofed accommodation

In May 2020, the Victorian Government announced a $1.5 million program to build new roofed accommodation at Mount Buffalo National Park.
Visit the latest information about the Mount Buffalo Roofed Accommodation Project.

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.