Lake Catani offers excellent lake kayaking that is perfect for beginners, kids, or simply to cool off and escape the summer heat. The lake's Day Visitor Area offers toilets, BBQs and picnic tables, a small beach and a jetty. And best of all the water temperature averages a mild 16 degrees in summer.
Kayaking | Visit Mount Buffalo | Victoria's High Country

Swimming

There are three locations in the Mount Buffalo National Park that can be used to swim and cool off on hot days.

At the base of the mountain is the Ladies Bath pool, where the Crystal Brook joins Eurobin Creek just below the main falls. This pool has been a favourite location for a swim and cooling off on hot days for well over 100 years. There is a parking area and some picnic tables back near the bridge over Eurobin Creek but no other facilities. The main falls are well worth walking up the track to view but please stay behind the barriers as there have been deaths and serious injuries at these falls where the rocks can become extremely slippery.

Half way up the Mount Buffalo Road is the parking area for the Rollason's Falls track. It is a moderate walk down to the two levels of the waterfall and there are deep and very cold pools to swim in at the base of each waterfall. There are picnic tables and a toilet near the car park at the start of the track to the falls.

Lake Catani on the main plateau is a man made lake with good swimming and even a small beach, plus picnic facilities and a toilet.

Kayaking

Lake Catani is the only location available for using paddle craft in the National Park, with two launch areas near the camping ground, both of which are accessable for close access by vehicle. Launch points are:

  • Access road picnic area
  • Lakeside BBQ and pier
  • Catani swimming beach

Make sure your wear your life vest and supervise small children.

Kayak hire

In the past, kayaks and lifejackets have been available for hire from Dingo Dell Cafe, via Adventure Guides Australia. Bookings, payment and the pick up of lifejackets, paddles and keys (to unlock the kayaks at the lake), were from the Dingo Dell Cafe.

Unfortunately, due to the impact of COVID-19 the Dingo Dell Cafe will not be operating during summer 2020/21, which means that kayak hire is not currently available at all on Mount Buffalo.

The hire business and the cafe are working through alternative options and hope to post some good news soon.

Parking

A small number of car parking spots are available at the picnic and lakeside areas. The car parking is a short walk to the water's edge.

Safety

The Victorian guide to safe paddle craft use can be found at https://transportsafety.vic.gov.au/maritime-safety/recreational-vessel-operators/paddle-craft