An all-seasons park, Mount Buffalo has sheer cliffs, imposing granite tors, tumbling waterfalls, snow gums and stunning wildflowers. First reserved in 1898, the 31,000 hectare park contains vegetation and fauna adapted to extremes of weather, as a result of its sub-alpine location.

As you drive and walk throughout the park, you will see evidence of the recent fires, but you will also see the vivid colours as species begin to regenerate. There is plenty of wildlife to see including Lyrebirds, Eastern Rosellas, Wombats and Swamp Wallabies. Many animals can be seen along the main tourist road so please drive carefully, especially at dawn and dusk.

When you're here please don't hesitate to call into the Park Office Visitor Centre, 300m from the Chalet turn off, for park information, maps and publications, track conditions or just a friendly hello!

• Explore the network of walking tracks that lead to delightful waterfalls, great lookouts and amazing granite formations.
• Take in the fantastic views of the Australian Alps from a number of spectacular lookouts throughout the park.
• Camp at Lake Catani and enjoy swimming or canoeing.
• The adventurous can try hang gliding or rock climbing. Mount Buffalo is a top Australian venue for both. Parks Victoria has installed a Rockclimbing/Abseiling Intentions Book at the information shelter in the Gorge carpark (which is found in front of the Mount Buffalo Chalet) and further information about it is available here.
• Discover summer wildflowers, unique alpine flora and a range of fauna, including wombats, wallabies, echidnas, lyrebirds and flame robins.

Winter at Buffalo

During winter, snow blankets the plateau and Mount Buffalo National Park becomes a stunning winter wonderland. The park offers safe and accessible cross-country skiing, tobogganing and snow play areas set amidst the spectacular granite landscape of Mount Buffalo plateau. A designated toboggan run operates over winter at either Dingo Dell or Cresta Valley depending on the altitude of snowfalls. For skiers, there are 14 km of groomed marked cross-country trails at Cresta Valley which cater for all skill levels. There is a further 20 km of remote, unmarked trails, and almost unlimited off-track backcountry ski touring.

Walk or ski-in winter camping is available at Lake Catani campground or remote camping at Mount McLeod, bookings are essential and can be made online by visiting www.parkstay.vic.gov.au or by telephoning Parks Victoria on 13 1963 or the Mount Buffalo Entrance Station on (03) 5756 2328.

Snow reports are available from www.ski.com.au or www.vicsnowreport.com.au .

Summer at Buffalo

With the onset of the warmer months, Mount Buffalo comes to life as the wildflowers begin to bloom and animals return to the plateau after spending the cold winter in the lower foothills. A range of activities such as bush walking, canoeing, swimming, picnicking, sight seeing and bike riding are available to visitors. Rock climbing, abseiling and hang gliding challenge the more adventurous.

During summer, take advantage of the extensive program of activities held throughout the park. They're fun, free and informative programs that are suitable for the whole family. Take part in activities such as ranger-guided walks, camp fire nights, Indigenous story time, puppet shows or help the kids become a 'Junior Ranger'.

Mount Buffalo Project

Parks Victoria has been working with the local community to develop options to breathe new life into the tourism and recreational products at Mt Buffalo National Park. Find out more...

Gorge Day Visitor Area

• Spectacular lookouts with views of the Australian Alps
• Picnic tables and a public shelter
• Public toilets

Lake Catani Lakeside

• Picnic tables set on the banks of Lake Catani
• Walking tracks /swimming /fishing /canoeing
• Public toilets

Dingo Dell Café

• Open most days throughout peak summer period

Cresta Valley Day Visitor Area

• Temporary Day shelter / picnic area
• Public toilets
  

Accommodation
No roofed accommodation exists on Mt Buffalo this year. The Mount Buffalo Chalet & Café are closed. There is a wide range of accommodation in and around Bright.

Heritage DID YOU KNOW? There is a table, just under 4.5 metres long in the Mount Buffalo Chalet café, which is said to have been used on a train for the 1956 royal tour? Railway tracks shaped into fire surrounds and railway seats from train stations are still in use at the Chalet. Aboriginal people made summer ascents to Mt Buffalo and other Alpine areas to gather and feast on protein-rich Bogong Moths that cluster in rock crevices, and also to meet and hold ceremonies. Explorers Hume and Hovell named the mountain in 1824 from its supposed resemblance to a buffalo. Gold miners and botanists later began to find routes up to the plateau. With the beginning of tourism in the 1880s, an area around the spectacular Gorge was reserved as a national park in 1898. The park has been enlarged several times since and now takes in all the plateau and surrounding slopes. The Mount Buffalo Chalet was built in 1910, soon after the first road to the plateau was constructed, replacing some earlier more "rustic" accommodation. The park became a popular holiday destination for succeeding generations and a place for early skiing and ice skating ventures. In fact Buffalo had the first ski tow in Australia. Please note: The Mount Buffalo Chalet is currently closed. Aboriginal Traditional Owners Parks Victoria acknowledges the Aboriginal Traditional Owners of Victoria - including its parks and reserves. Through their cultural traditions, the Mitambuta and Taugaurong identify the Mount Buffalo National Park as their Traditional Country. Further information is available from Aboriginal Affairs Victoria AAV and Native Title Services Victoria .
Fauna Due to the range in altitude in the park, there is a variety of fauna habitats. The foothill forests contain kangaroos, wallabies, and several species of possums and gliders. Smaller mammals such as native rats and mice inhabit the plateau. Wombats occur in all habitats. The Alpine Silver Xenica is a species of butterfly found only on the plateau of Mount Buffalo. Bogong Moths shelter in rock crevices at the Horn and it is common to see birds darting in and out of the cracks to feed on them. Peregrine Falcons sometimes nest in the granite rock faces. Crimson Rosellas are abundant throughout the park.
Vegetation DID YOU KNOW? When the Mount Buffalo Chalet was run by the Victorian Railways the restaurant was known as an official "Railways Refreshment Room". Staff worked in railway uniforms, blew whistles and imposed curfews for guests. Railway tickets were issued for equipment and activities such as "Motor to Wangaratta" and "Skis, steel edged with cane stocks and boots 2 nd Grade 8/6-"? The park protects a diverse array of vegetation types and plant species. Over 550 native species occur; the most significant vegetation communities are the alpine and sub-alpine communities. Massive bluffs and near vertical granite rock faces soar a thousand metres above the Ovens River valley and are typified by ridges heavily forested with Alpine Ash and Snow Gum. At the highest points trees become sparse, and extensive granite outcrops are linked by expanses of sub-alpine grasslands and herbfields spotted with patches of stunted Snow Gum. Buffalo Sallee, an endemic eucalypt found only in the park, occurs predominantly around the edges of the plateau. The foothills below consist of undulating dissected terrain with valleys and low hills clothed mainly with peppermints and gums.
Looking After the Park Dogs and other pets and firearms are not permitted. Please keep to tracks. Observe fire restrictions. Take a gas or fuel stove. Carry out all rubbish. Do not disturb or remove any plants or animals. Please do not feed rosellas or other wildlife. It upsets the natural ecological balance and can cause injury or disease to visitors.
Precautions Drive carefully on the winding roads, especially in snow or icy conditions and watch for wildlife. Take care near lookouts and waterfalls. There are steep slopes and sheer drops. Make sure you have appropriate clothing and other equipment for winter visits and to allow for sudden weather changes. The weather can be severe at any time of the year.
How to Get There Mount Buffalo National Park is about 320 km north-east of Melbourne via the Hume Freeway and Great Alpine Road. Allow about four hours drive time. Approach the park by the winding but sealed entrance road from Porepunkah, near Bright. Tyre chains must be carried in winter. Entrance fee payable. Annual Parks Passes and Multi Day Parks Passes are available for Mount Buffalo National Park. These can save entry fee costs for regular users, local residents and interstate visitors. Further information is available here.
Special Needs Access Specific information about site conditions so you can judge a site's accessibility according to your own needs. more info Gorge Day Visitor Area Tracks around the Gorge area of Mount Buffalo National Park are generally wide and flat, and the site entry and car park are easily accessible. Toilet facilities have been recently upgraded to include an accessible unisex facility with a sealed approach path. Scenic views are accessible. Lake Catani Campground Lake Catani campground is reasonably flat, with firm ground, and good paths to the picnic and toilet facilities. There are designated accessible toilets, though they are not fully compliant with current standards. Surfaces are unsealed but generally free of obstacles. The boat launching area and jetty are not easily accessible. Snow Play Access for the less able can be organised by telephoning the Mount Buffalo park office on (03) 5755 1466 or the Mount Buffalo Entrance Station on (03) 5756 2328.
A range of park notes and other Information is available at the Parks Victoria Web page for Mount Buffalo at www.parkweb.vic.gov.au/1park_display.cfm?park=151