The Gorge Precinct
The Gorge Day Visitor Area offers several good vantage points to take in the sheer 300 metre North Wall and surrounding valleys and peaks. Numerous short and long walks start from here, including the Gorge Heritage Walk which takes in Crystal Brook Falls as it winds around to the North Wall
Amazing Lookouts
The Mount Buffalo National Park has been protected for over a century with thousands of visitors arriving every year to see the dramatic rock formations, sheer cliff faces, imposing granite tors and tumbling waterfalls for which the park is famous. The Gorge Day Visitor Area offers several good vantage points, in particular Bents Lookout and Echo Point which give stunning views of the sheer 300 metre North Wall and surrounding valleys.
The Chalet
Just above the Gorge precinct and Bents Lookout stands the majestic Mount Buffalo Chalet. Often referred to as The Grande Old Dame of Victoria's Alpine region, the incredibly picturesque Mount Buffalo Chalet is perched on the top of Bent's Lookout, with breathtaking views that stretch out over the famous Gorge.
Built in 1910 by the Victorian Government after the first road opened to the summit, the Chalet is listed in the Victorian Heritage Register for its architectural, historical and social significance. Today the building is only open for occasional guided tours. However, you can appreciate the grandeur of the building from the outside and explore the terraced European Garden which in spring time is a mass of stunning colour.
South Side
There are a number of lookouts on the South Side of the Gorge including:
- Bents Lookout, with excellent interpretative signage showing history and information on the views in the distance,
- Echo Point, where you can call out and hear your echo return after it bounces off the North Wall of the Gorge,
- and the disabled lookout (with wheelchair access)
Walking further along from Echo Point you will arrive at the Hanglider Ramp Lookout where, if you are lucky, you can wonder at the courage of the pilots as they leap off of the ramp into the air to soar like birds into the sky.
The South Side Stone Hut provides good shelter in wet weather and even has two fire places (you need to bring your own wood).
Gorge Heritage Walk
The Gorge Heritage Walk starts at Bents Lookout at the top of the car park and takes you around to the North Wall of the Gorge where there are lookouts that enable you to view Crystal Brook Falls and also various views of the North Wall itself where you may see climbers inching their way up the cliff or abseiling down.
You can also hike out to other locations such as Manfields lookout and the sites of some of the original huts that were used by the Manfield family when bringing tourists to the mountain in the early days of tourism at Mount Buffalo.
Facilities
There is a toilet block and a number of picnic tables surrounding the Gorge Car Park. Take a short stroll along the Gorge Heritage walk and you will arrive at the cricket ground where there are additional picnic tables and a good area for playing ball games. There is also a fireplace to cook on but only usable outside of the fire danger periods (you need to bring your own wood).
There are no BBQ facilities at The Gorge or in the Chalet.
Coffee Van
The Gorge Coffee Van will be operating during summer 2020/21, offering takeaway hot and cold drinks and simple snacks.
Wildlife
It is not unusual to see parrots and other native birds at the Gorge car park. Please do not feed them, as this is harmful to wild birds. Watch out or the ravens or a currawong will steal your lunch!
Sometimes you may even see a lyre bird scratching around in the bush surrounding the car park.
Walking Tracks
The Gorge is the end point for The Big Walk if you're walking up, or the start if you are walking down.
Other walks starting at the Gorge car park include:
- The Underground River
- Billsons Lookout
- The Monolith walk
- Lake Catani Walking Track
See Shorter Nature Walks or Longer Wilderness Walks for more information.
Parking
There is parking for cars in the Gorge Precinct Car park plus additional parking next to the Chalet. Large vehicles and buses above 12 seats must park next to the chalet (there is no bus parking in the gorge precinct car park). A drop off point for large buses is located on the Buffalo road next to the Chalet entrance stairs.
