Be Bushfire Smart

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 2003 and 2006 fires, but you will also see the vivid colours as species continue 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!

• "Summer in the Alps" activity program (Sat, 26 Dec 2009)

• 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 January, 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, childrens' story time, water watch activities, hands-on displays or help the kids become a 'Junior Ranger'.

• 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

• The Dingo Dell Cafe will be operating throughout Summer from Saturday, 26 December 2009, to Friday, 30 April 2010.

Cresta Valley Day Visitor Area

• Public toilets

Accommodation

No roofed accommodation exists on Mt Buffalo this year. The Mount Buffalo Chalet and Café are currenlty closed while a new lease holder is being sought. There is a wide range of accommodation in and around Bright.

Camping

Mount Buffalo is a great location for camping. Please note that fees apply.

Camping at Lake Catani is available from November to April inclusive. Bookings are essential for peak periods.

To make a booking call Parks Victoria on 13 1963 or book online.

Bookings open at 10:00 am on 1 September each year and will be based on a first-in, first-served basis.

Peak Periods:
Melbourne Cup weekend (31 Oct to 2 Nov 2009) - minimum 3 nights booking
Christmas/New Year School Holidays (26 Dec 2009 to 22 Jan 2010) – available in 7 day blocks (Saturday to Saturday) for the following dates:
• Week 1 (Sat 26 Dec 2009 to 1 Jan 2010)
• Week 2 (Sat 2 Jan 2010 to 8 Jan 2010)
• Week 3 (Sat 9 Jan 2010 to 15 Jan 2010)
• Week 4 (Sat 16 Jan 2010 to 22 Jan 2010)
Australia Day weekend (23 Jan to 25 Jan 2010) - minimum 3 nights booking
Labour Day weekend (6 Mar & 7 Mar 2010) - minimum 2 nights booking
Easter weekend (2 Apr to 4 Apr 2010) – minimum 3 nights booking

Non-Peak Periods:
It is advisable to pre-book, even for non-peak periods.
Sites 22-59 are reserved for bookings only. In the camp ground these sites will always show reserved signs.
Sites 2 to 19 are available for casual arrivals on a first-come, first-served basis.

Group Camping Area
Sites 22-29 are available for schools and social groups. These sites must be booked in advance, through the park office; ph (03) 5756 2328.
Only two school or social groups can occupy the campground at any one time. The total number of school or social group campers must not exceed 50 on any one night.

Campers must ensure they are on their allocated site. A maximum of 6 persons is allowed per site (additional fees may apply).

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.

View the video The Honeymoon - A past guest at Mt Buffalo Chalet, Laurel Whitcroft remembers with humour her 1950s honeymoon and subsequent holidays spent at the Chalet.

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 .

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.

• 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.

• 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.

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.

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.

• Alpine National Park
• Beechworth Historic Park
• Mount Granya State Park