Cresta Valley

An older man stands for the camera while cross country skiing infront of a mountain peak.

This area has additional visitor advice This area has reported issues This area is closed

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Cresta Valley

Mount Buffalo National Park

Cresta Valley is a perfect all-seasons playground.

In winter grab your trusty snow gear and enjoy family-friendly tobogganing and snow play or head out on one of four marked cross-country ski trails and two marked snowshoe walks. Visitors are asked to not walk on groomed ski trails as foot tracks create hazards for skiers.

When the snow melts, the grassy plains burst into bloom and make for some scenic and invigorating walks.

Things To Do

Tobogganing

The dedicated toboggan area is only available when there is adequate snow and is marked with fencing and signage. All toboggan users must walk up the side of the slope to avoid being hit by those coming down the hill. Conditions on the toboggan slope can deteriorate late in the day due to freezing, making the snow very fast and rock hard. Only moulded plastic toboggans are allowed. Check the daily snow report in the Change of Conditions section below.

How to get there

Cresta Valley

Cresta Valley

Need to know

Cresta Valley

Change of Conditions

Nature being nature, sometimes conditions can change at short notice. It’s a good idea to check this page ahead of your visit for any updates.

  • Notices Affecting Multiple Sites

    Seasonal Road Closure - Reservoir Road, Mt Buffalo NP

    Reservoir Road is subject to seasonal road closure from the Thursday after the Kings Birthday long weekend to the Thursday before the Melbourne Cup long weekend inclusive.

    Horn Road Seasonal Closure

    The Horn Road is subject to seasonal road closure from the Thursday after the Kings Birthday long weekend to September 15th inclusive.

    Mount Buffalo Snow Report 06.08.26

    Mt Buffalo National Park Snow, Road, and Weather Daily Report
    Time:     09.30 hrs                     Date: Thursday 6th August 2026
    Current conditions
    Fresh snow:
    Snow cover:
     
    Temperature  
    Dingo Dell Day Shelter
    No fresh snow
    Fair condition for tobogganing at Cresta.
    1.1° @ Mt Buffalo Park Office
    Dingo Dell café closed
     
     
    Tobogganing
    Status
    Condition
    Groomed date
    Dingo Dell – elevation 1420m
    Closed
    N/A
    N/A
    Cresta Valley - elevation 1480m
    Open
    Fair
    N/A
     
    No toboggan rental available on Mt Buffalo this year. Rental available in Porepunkah, Bright, Myrtleford & Ovens
     
     
    Snowshoe Trails
    (Marked with snowshoe signs)
    Status
    Condition
     
    Closed
    N/A
    N/A
    Sentinel – 1.5 km return
    Closed
    N/A
    N/A
    Cresta Valley – 2kms return
    Closed
    N/A
    N/A
     
     
    Cross Country Trails
    Status
    Condition
    Groomed date
    Beginners Loop
    Closed
    N/A
    N/A
    Bogong Plain
    Closed
    N/A
    N/A
    The Horn Road
    Closed
                         N/A
    N/A
     
     
    Vehicle chains
    Status
    To be carried
    YES
    Currently being fitted
    NO
     
    Please adhere to the chain fitting signage on the mountain.
     
     
     
     
    Forecast Falls Creek – Most accurate for Mount Buffalo
     
     
     
    Comments:  Fair condition on Cresta Toboggan Slope
     
     
     
     

    Interpreting the Snow Conditions
    Toboggan Slopes
    Excellent – good deep cover with fresh surface
    Very Good – good deep cover
    Good – good cover, may have wet areas and or holes to soil
    Fair – mostly covered but could be wet, holes and other hazards
    Poor – patchy cover, wet, holes and other hazards
    Snow play – enough snow for scraping together a small snow creature and some snowballs
    Sightseeing – patches of snow to look at
    No snow – time to go hiking
    Interpreting the Snow Conditions
    Cross Country Ski Trails and Snowshoe Trails
    Excellent - good deep cover with fresh surface
    Very Good - good deep cover
    Good - complete cover with occasional obstacle
    Fair - mostly continuous snow cover with some obstacles
    Poor - mostly continuous snow cover with numerous obstacles
    Patchy - patchy cover, insufficient for skiing or snowshoeing
    Closed - time to go kayaking
     
     
    View the Dingo Dell and Cresta Valley Snowcams
    Mt Buffalo Weather Station
    The Mt Buffalo Parks Victoria office has a weather station on the roof (elevation 1320m). For current weather conditions and forecasting download the Davis WeatherLink app. Set Mt Buffalo Parks Office in your favourites. The Mt Porepunkah Fire Tower is the next closest Davis weather station to Mt Buffalo.
    General Information for Winter Visitors
    It remains a requirement to carry snow chains in all vehicles, for any vehicle passing through the Park entrance. This includes visitors who are wanting to visit Lady Bath, Eurobin or Rollason’s Falls.
    There is no entry fee to visit Mt Buffalo National Park.
    Mt Buffalo has three seasonal road closures. These are The Horn Road from Cresta Valley, Reservoir Road and the Lake Catani Road. These roads close on the Thursday after Kings Birthday in June and re-open on 15th September, if road conditions allow.
    The Lake Catani Campground is open for winter camping from the Friday before Kings Birthday long weekend until August 31. Limited facilities - drop toilet only. Walk in/ski in only. No booking required.
    Refer to the Parks Victoria Mt Buffalo National Park webpage for more information on winter activities.
    If you would like to receive the Mt Buffalo Snow Report email tomas.sanchez@parks.vic.gov.au
    Mt Buffalo Snow Reports are also posted on the Parks Victoria Mt Buffalo web page – click the tab ‘!This area has reported issues’. https://www.parks.vic.gov.au/places-to-see/parks/mount-buffalo-national-park

  • Lakeside Day Visitor Area (Mount Buffalo National Park)

    Lake Catani Road Seasonal Closure

    Lake Catani Road is subject to seasonal closure from the Thursday after the Kings Birthday long weekend to September 15 inclusive.
    Lake Catani campground is open for walk-in camping only, no bookings required.

Nearby

 
A family take a cross country skiing lesson at Dingo Dell at Mount Buffalo National Park

Dingo Dell

Facilities at Dingo Dell include a designated toboggan slope, open areas for snow play, first aid room, take away food and drinks, toilets, and a marked snowshoe track to the hilltop above.
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