Mount Buffalo Visitor Information
MOUNT BUFFALO - SUMMER VISITOR INFORMATION
Mount Buffalo in Summer is "An Adventure Playground"
VISITING MOUNT BUFFALO
Mount Buffalo is an easily accessible and mostly sheltered alpine location in nearly all weathers. Travel to the plateau and its key visitor locations is a far shorter distance from Bright and an easier drive than with travel to other local Alpine areas. We have amazing short walks, waterfalls, hiking, scenery and views,
CLOTHES AND FOOD
In early Summer it can be 10 degrees cooler (or more) at Mount Buffalo than in the valleys below. There is no food available at Mount Buffalo weekdays - snacks only at the coffee van of a weekend and school holidays
TAKE CARE ON THE ROADS
Drive to the conditions and take care on the roads. Note that there will often be cyclists using the road and that walking tracks cross the roads in places.
Take your time and enjoy the views. Even in early summer the roads may be slippery when we get cold fronts passing through
Drive with lights on low beam so approaching road users can see you earlier.
CLOSED ROADS IN SUMMER
The reservoir road is closed to vehicle traffic until storm damage is repaired. Hiking or bike riding on the road is fine.
GORGE COFFEE VAN
Operating weekends and school holidays
DINGO DELL CAFE
Not operating
MOUNT BUFFALO FRIENDS GROUP
There is a new Mount Buffalo Friends Group that has been set up to work with Parks Victoria and the community to improve environmental, visitor services and other tasks at Mount Buffalo. You can check this out at our Face Book page at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61564917967528
To inquire or join, E Mail us at mbfgroup746@gmail.com
CRESTA VALLEY CAR PARK AND HIKING HUB
There is a toilet block and small day shelter room at Cresta Valley. Hiking trails to South Buffalo and Dixons Falls commence here. Telstra phones mostly work but have low signal strength.
CATHEDRAL CAR PARK AND HIKING HUB
This hiking hub has good parking and a toilet block. Their are two walking tracks that take you either to the Sentinel, Castle and other spectacular locations or the top of the Hump (past the Cathedral). Both track have amazing views.
GORGE PRECINCT
Make sure that you visit the amazing Mount Buffalo gorge with its historical heritage listed Chalet and world class views. There are easy walks along the gorge rim plus spectacular views from the lookouts on the Gorge Heritage Walk, which is a "must do" trail to experience. There is a historical stone wet weather shelter hut located next to the gorge precinct car-park and a toilet block.
GORGE PRECINCT LOOKOUTS
Make sure you check out the all abilities lookout with its glass floor (wheelchair access). Also Bents lookout, the Echo Point lookout and the Hang-Glider launch lookout. Other gorge viewing points can be found when hiking the gorge heritage walk which starts near Bents Lookout, including the crystal brook falls, pulpit rock and Wilkinson's lookouts .
MOUNT BUFFALO CHALET
While visiting the gorge precinct, ensure that you walk up and view the recently restored Mount Buffalo Chalet (work continuing) with its Interpretative signs telling of the history of the Chalet. The Chalet interior is not currently open to visitors.
SEVERE WEATHER WARNINGS
Severe weather can occur at all times of the year in Alpine Environments. We recommend that you download the Vic Emergency App when visiting the alps as conditions can change quickly in severe weather prone areas such as Mount Buffalo. With high winds, high temperatures in summer, but also thunderstorms and heavy rain etc possible. Check the app each day prior to and when traveling in the bush
MOUNT BUFFALO VIEW CAMERAS DINGO DELL AND CRESTA VALLEY
Check out the Mount Buffalo VIEW Cameras at https://visitmountbuffalo.com.au/snow-updates/
DOGS and CATS AT MOUNT BUFFALO
Pet dogs and Cats are not allowed to be brought into the National Park (even if staying in cars)
FLYING DRONES
Parks Victoria requires permits for all drone filming and photography regardless of intent or purpose. All drone operators regardless of weight must also be a fully licensed pilot or a CASA certified operator. To apply for a permit an application to Parks Victoria must be given 20 business days prior. The cost for making a permit application for using a drone in a Victorian park is $199.80. - to apply for a permit see https://www.parks.vic.gov.au/.../rpas-and-drones-filming...
BIKE SAFE ON THE MOUNT BUFFALO ROAD
When driving watch out for bikes on the road as the Buffalo road is a favorite hill climb for road bike riders.
Mount Buffalo is a great bike rider destination but ensure that you can be seen easily on our narrow road with its numerous blind corners. It is recommended that bike riders have flashing tail and headlights so that motor vehicles can observe you from further away, rather than at the last minute.
Bright clothes can also improve rider visibility.
DRIVE SAFE ON THE MOUNT BUFFALO ROAD
We recommend all motor vehicles drive with headlights on low to increase vehicle visibility, in particular during storms, frosts wet, foggy or cloudy weather. Be patient with slow drivers or bike riders and only pass when safe (avoiding passing on corners). If driving slowly to enjoy the views, use the many pull over areas on the Buffalo road to let other drivers pass safely.
Watch for frosty or wet conditions, or even snow on the road in winter. This Alpine Shire video is worth watching regarding safe driving on Alpine roads https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iXmi-UHjWco&t=5s
FREE ENTRY
There is free entry to Mount Buffalo National Park 365 days a year (including during the snow season)
CAMPING AT LAKE CATANI CAMPING GROUND
Pre-booked camping is available from the Melbourne Cup long weekend in November through to the end of April. Bookings for the green season can be made at https://visitmountbuffalo.com.au/.../lake-catani-campground/
LAKESIDE PICNIC SHELTER
The public toilets at the lakeside BBQ shelter are open and a gas BBQ is available.
OUTSTATION CAMPING
There are two "hike in " outstation camp areas available all year out past the Reservoir. One at Mt McLeod and the second at Rocky Creek. Both of these camp sites have drop toilets. All camping must be booked. Go to the Parks Victoria Website to book camping at all these locations (Prior to arriving at Mount Buffalo if possible).
Note that the reservoir road is currently closed to vehicles. (You can hike ski the road to the trail heads and outstation camping)
LICENSED ACTIVITY AND TOUR OPERATORS
There are a number of licensed tour and activity operators offering a range of Green Season and Winter Adventures and tours at Mount Buffalo. Go to the Parks Victoria Website for details.
HIKE SAFE
When hiking on Mount Buffalo, ensure you advise someone where you are going and when you are expecting to get back so that the alarm can be raised in a timely manner in the event of an emergency (In particular on the longer isolated walks where you may be the only hikers). Take water, snacks and a map and compass, winter warm clothes,a wind proof jacket and a torch. Matches or a lighter for a signal fire and a light weight emergency blanket. but it is recommended that you consider carrying a personal locator beacon (PLB) as phone coverage is poor or non existent away from facilities. (Mobile phones may work from high points)
LOOKOUTS TO HIKE TO
The Dingo Dell lookout is spectacular, just a short hike up to the top of the hill above the Dingo Dell Day shelter.
Other amazing lookout areas that are only a short hike include The Hump and Cathedral - The Castle and Mount La Seouf - The Monolith - View Point - Wilkinson's Lookout - The lake lookout track has excellent views of the Lake and starts at the junction of the Buffalo and Reservoir roads
TRACKS AND TRAILS
All areas and walking tracks in the Park are currently open but may be subject to deep snowfalls and hard to navigate
WATERFALLS
Eurobin Falls, Rollason's Falls Dixon's Falls and The Crystal Brook Falls are all well worth a visit. Rollason's require a moderate hike to view and to view Dixons Falls be prepared for a longer hike. Crystal Brook falls can be viewed from the top using the Gorge Heritage Walk track to access.
TOILETS
There are public toilets at:-
-Park Entrance Picnic area
-Rollason's Falls picnic area
-Gorge precinct
-The Cathedral Saddle
-Dingo Dell Day Shelter (only when the Dingo Dell Day Shelter run is open on weekends)
- Cresta Valley.
- Lakeside picnic area
NOTE - There are no toilets at the Horn
DRINKING WATER
There is no tested drinking water available at Mount Buffalo and water from all taps should be boiled or treated prior to drinking. It is recommended that you bring sufficient water for your needs.
BBQ LOCATIONS
There are wood fired BBQ areas at the Cricket Ground, and the Crossman's Mill picnic area (bring your own wood to all these locations). You may also bring your own Gas BBQ and use these at Lake Catani, the Cathedral Car Parking area and Cresta Valley etc
The public gas BBQ at the Lakeside Picnic Shelter is available Spring - Summer - Autumn
GORGE PRECINCT and CHALET MOBILE COVERAGE
Most phone providers have signal at the gorge precinct area and lookouts
CRESTA VALLEY MOBILE COVERAGE
There limited Telstra mobile signal at Cresta Valley - near the shelter and toilets.
DINGO DELL MOBILE COVERAGE
Only Telstra phones work at Dingo Dell
BACK COUNTRY MOBILE COVERAGE
Even country rated Telstra phones may have limited or no coverage in most back country areas so consider a PLB or similar emergency device when hiking.
MOUNT BUFFALO CAMERAS
For up to date photos of Mount Buffalo weather etc check out the Mount Buffalo Cameras at https://visitmountbuffalo.com.au/snow-updates/