The Gorge and Mount Buffalo Chalet

Two small children jump over granite boulders infront of their watching mother, with snow capped mountains in the background

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The Gorge and Mount Buffalo Chalet

Mount Buffalo National Park

If you only have a short time to spend in Mount Buffalo National Park, the Gorge is the place to visit. Home to historic Mount Buffalo Chalet, the Gorge is perched on 200m sheer cliffs and commands fantastic views over the Alps. Enjoy one of the easy but rewarding walks and bring a picnic. 
The Gorge is a perfect daytrip for people holidaying near Bright. There are picnic facilities and toilets, including accessible facilities for disabled visitors. And there's plenty to do, with a number of viewpoints from which to enjoy the stunning Alpine panoramas, the chalet and a range of walks. Some of the walks have benches for rest stops, making the Gorge an excellent place for people who are less mobile. 

Things to do

Water cascades down the granite rockface at Eurobin Falls.

Ladies Bath and Eurobin Falls

At Ladies Bath Falls, water cascades into a perfectly clear pool of water, while at Upper and Lower Eurobin Falls, Crystal Creek spills spectacularly over a formidable granite escarpment.
The jetty at Lake Catani near the campground at Mount Buffalo National Park

Lake Catani Campground

Discover magnificent waterfalls and remote alpine landscapes while camping within beautiful Snow Gum woodlands beside Lake Catani in Mount Buffalo National Park.
A couple in their thirties approach the summit lookout at the Horn of Mount Buffalo.

The Horn

Enjoy a picnic with a view at The Horn before climbing to the highest point in Mount Buffalo National Park and surveying the folded mountains of the Great Dividing Range stretching into the distance.

How to get there

The Gorge and Mount Buffalo Chalet

Mount Buffalo is 325 kilometres, or three and a half hours’ drive, northeast of Melbourne along the Hume Highway. Either take the Snow Road exit just before Wangaratta or continue along the highway to the Great Alpine Road (B500) exit. Watch out for native animals, especially early in the morning and at dusk. Take care driving during winter. The main road is often snow covered. Snow chains must be carried and fitted when and where directed by road signs during the declared snow season.
The Gorge and Mount Buffalo Chalet

Facilities

Carpark
Lookout
Picnic Area
Toilets

When you're there

During winter the carpark at the Gorge Day Visitor Area is closed. Parking is instead available at the Mount Buffalo Chalet. From here there is a short walk to reach the Gorge lookouts and toilets. Download the Visitor Guide for more information. 

Mount Buffalo Chalet

Built in 1910 by the Victorian Government, the Mount Buffalo Chalet is listed in the Victorian Heritage Register for its architectural, historical and social significance.

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. 

Gorge Heritage Walk - 2.5km, 1 hour return
This walk starts in the Gorge Day Visitor Area opposite the Mt Buffalo Chalet and leads to many spectacular lookout points. Interpretative signs describe the area’s history and beauty through the eyes of local pioneer, Guide Alice.

Lake Catani Track - 4km, 1.5hr return
This easy track links the Gorge, campground and Lakeside Day Visitor Areas through stands of Alpine Ash and is suitable for cycling. There is also a loop walk around Lake Catani, which will add 3km or an hour to your walk. 

View Point Walk - 4km, 2hr return
Access to this walk can be from the Gorge Catani Track or Underground River Track. There are great views of the Buckland Valley from the lookout.

The Gorge is also popular for more adventurous pursuits such as rock climbing, hang gliding and trail running. There is a hang gliding ramp just past the Echo Point Lookout at The Gorge Day Visitor Area.

Need to know

The Gorge and Mount Buffalo Chalet

Accessibility

The Gorge has a number of features, including accessible toilets and viewing area, that make it suitable for people with limited mobility. 

The Gorge Day Visitor Area was assessed for accessibility in March 2021, providing information about the accessibility of the viewing area, paths, toilets and parking, and photos.

Assistance dogs are welcome in Parks Victoria parks and reserves. Entry requirements apply for parks and reserves that are usually dog prohibited, such as national parks.

How we keep it special

During January 2020 the Mount Buffalo National Park and its historic alpine chalet came under fire threat from a 100,000 hectare forest fire burning to the South West of the park. See how we protected our built heritage from fire at Mount Buffalo National Park.

Recent Mount Buffalo Chalet maintenance works

Maintenance works at Mount Buffalo Chalet - contractors on site after recent snowfall, 11 May 2020.

Contractors on site

After recent snowfall, 11 May 2020.
Maintenance works at Mount Buffalo Chalet - Elgas refurbishment of large bullets to provide gas heating for the building, 6 May 2020.

Elgas

Refurbishment of large bullets to provide gas heating for the building, 6 May 2020.
Maintenance works at Mount Buffalo Chalet - generator replacement project underway, 6 May 2020.

Generator replacement project underway

6 May 2020.
Maintenance works at Mount Buffalo Chalet - re-cladding of the kitchen wall, 6 May 2020.

Re-cladding of the kitchen wall

6 May 2020.
Maintenance works at Mount Buffalo Chalet - North Wing repaint and repair, after 24 April 2020.

North Wing repaint and repair (after)

After 24 April 2020.
Maintenance works at Mount Buffalo Chalet - North Wing repaint and repair, before 24 April 2020.

North Wing repaint and repair (before)

Before 24 April 2020.
Maintenance works at Mount Buffalo Chalet - North Wing protection works, 22 April 2020.

North Wing protection works

22 April 2020.
Maintenance works at Mount Buffalo Chalet - new weatherboards arrived for re-cladding work, 20 April 2020.

New weatherboards arrive

Weatherboards arrive for re-cladding work, 20 April 2020.
Maintenance works at Mount Buffalo Chalet - new solar system, installed 2019.

New solar system

Installed 2019.

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.

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