Mount Buffalo National Park offers a landscape unlike any other in the Australian Alps, with its massive granite boulders, stunning waterfalls, and crystal-clear waters.
I had a great time exploring the beauty of Mount Buffalo National Park for nearly two unforgettable days. Stopping here on the return trip from the Grampians to Sydney turned out to be a great choice.
I explored several fantastic day walks and I’m really excited to share my top 7 hikes with you.
Mount Buffalo Location & Directions
Situated in Victoria’s High Country, Mount Buffalo is a mountain plateau of the Australian Alps within Mount Buffalo National Park, Victoria, Australia.
To reach Mount Buffalo National Park, drive along the famous Great Alpine Road (B500) and turn onto Mount Buffalo Road at the main roundabout in Porepunkah.
It is approximately 340 kilometres, or under a 4-hour drive, northeast of Melbourne.
Established in 1898, Mount Buffalo National Park is one of Australia’s oldest National Parks, protecting the area of 31,000 hectares (76,600 acres).
Can You Drive Up Mount Buffalo Road?
Yes, the Mount Buffalo Road is a high-quality sealed road, offering a very scenic drive. It is the only sealed road in Mount Buffalo National Park.
However, the last few kilometres to the Mount Horn Picnic Area, beyond Cresta Valley, features a steep gravel road.
Despite this, it is well-maintained and should not pose any problems for 2WD vehicles. It is not suitable for buses or vehicles towing trailers or caravans.
In winter, the road closes at Cresta Valley, converting into Mount Buffalo’s cross-country ski trail.
What is The Closest Town to Mount Buffalo?
Porepunkah is the nearest town and an excellent base for exploring Mount Buffalo National Park.
And that’s where I stayed during my trip. Alternatively, you could choose nearby Bright, which is located approximately 7km from Porepunkah and offers a broader selection of restaurants, cafes, and supermarkets (Woolworths & IGA).
Lastly, you have the option to camp at the Lake Catani Campground, which is perhaps an even better base than Porepunkah as it is situated right at the heart of Mount Buffalo National Park.
Mount Buffalo Best Walks Map
Alright, let’s have a look at the map of my favourite day walks that I did during my stay. These are all short walks, perfect for getting an overall feel for the park if you’re here for a brief weekend visit.
For those seeking more extensive hikes, there are numerous lengthy walks in the west of the park (Mt McLeod, Mt Dunn, Macs Point, Mollison Galleries, and more) as well as the famous 21.4km The Big Walk.
However, I believe that if you’re visiting for a short time, it would be more rewarding to do multiple smaller walks in different areas of the park rather than spending a full day on The Big Walk, which doesn’t cover the southern parts.
On the map, I marked Lake Catani where you can explore walks to Chalwell Galleries or The Monolith. Unfortunately, I didn’t have enough time to do any of these walks, but you should definitely add hikes from this area to your to-do list.
Lastly, I arranged this list based on the order you will see them while driving along Mount Buffalo Road from Porepunkah; it’s not a ranking from best to worst.
#1 – Ladies Bath & Eurobin Falls
- Start & finish: Eurobin Falls Parking
- Distance: 1.1 km return
- Elevation gain: 86m
- Time: 1 hour
- Difficulty: Easy
This short and easy walk leads you to some of the most beautiful waterfalls in Mount Buffalo National Park, starting with the serene Ladies Bath Falls, known for its crystal-clear water.
I visited this spot at the end of May with temperatures close to 0 degrees Celsius, but it would be an amazing place for a refreshing swim during hot summer days.
With its beautiful orange and green moss-covered grey boulders, this waterfall looks like it’s straight out of a fairy tale, with the water slowly trickling down into the emerald green pool.
The trail continues with a set of relatively steep stairs, gradually leading you upwards to Lower Eurobin Falls and eventually to Upper Eurobin Falls.
Here, you’ll witness the water flowing down in various places along the massive, sloping granite wall. I imagine this would be a spectacular sight after a period of extended rain.
#2 – Rollason Falls
- Start & finish: Rollason Falls Car Park
- Distance: 2.7 km return
- Elevation gain: 187m
- Time: 1.5-2 hours
- Difficulty: Moderate
Rollason Falls is another beautiful waterfall in the northern part of Mount Buffalo National Park.
The trail leading to the base of the waterfall is quite steep, so get ready for a workout on the return trip.
Rollason Falls are divided into Upper and Lower Falls, with 2 separate trails leading you to both parts.
Make sure to visit the Lower Rollason Falls, where you’ll find a two-tiered waterfall tumbling into a large rock pool of emerald green water.
It surely is a perfect spot for a refreshing swim and cooling off on a hot, summer day.
#3 – Gorge Heritage Walk
- Start & finish: Mount Buffalo Chalet
- Distance: 2.7 km return
- Elevation gain: 152m
- Time: 1.5-2 hours
- Difficulty: Easy / Moderate
If you can only do one walk while visiting Mount Buffalo National Park, make it The Gorge Heritage Walk, featuring a ‘virtual tour’ by Alice Manfield, famous for her extensive knowledge of the plateau’s ecosystem and secret spots.
Starting from the Mount Buffalo Chalet, this loop walk invites you to discover the area’s rich history and natural wonders through Guide Alice’s eyes by reading multiple information boards along the way.
At the start, the trail winds past numerous lookout points, offering expansive views of Australia’s tallest vertical cliffs composed of massive granite tors and boulders.
From these vantage points, you’ll be treated to breathtaking views of Crystal Brook Falls, cascading nearly 300 meters from the Gorge’s rim and the lush Buckland Valley stretching out beneath.
The final segment of the walk guides you through enchanting lush woodlands, offering opportunities to spot lyrebirds, see the remnants of the old Manfield guest house, and stroll between huge granite boulders.
After you finish the Gorge Heritage Walk, don’t forget to check out the Mt Buffalo Chalet and its surroundings.
#4 – Cathedral & Hump Track
- Start & finish: Cathedral & Hump Track Car Park
- Distance: 1.9 km return
- Elevation gain: 135m
- Time: 1.5-2 hours
- Difficulty: Moderate
I really enjoyed this short trail, which provides direct access to the base of the remarkable rock formation known as the Cathedral.
Ice and water erosion have stripped away the surrounding granite, leaving the Cathedral as a towering solitary ‘tor’.
If you continue climbing towards the Hump Summit, you’ll find an unmarked path to the left that provides the best view of the Cathedral. However, reaching this vantage point isn’t without challenge; it requires a bit of rock scrambling.
After soaking in the amazing view of the Cathedral, it’s time to return to the main trail and head towards the Hump Summit, where you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking views of Mount Horn in the distance.
It may be hard to believe, but once you reach the Hump summit, you’ll be standing at 1695 meters above sea level!
#5 & #6 – Le Souef Plateau (Corral – Castle Track)
- Start & finish: Le Souef Plateau Car Park
- Distance: 2.4 km return
- Elevation gain: 118m
- Time: 1.5-2 hours
- Difficulty: Moderate
Once you’re done with the Hump Track and are eager for further exploration in this scenic part of Mount Buffalo National Park, simply cross the street and you’ll reach the Le Souef Plateau trailhead.
Here, you’ll find a selection of short and unique trails waiting to be explored:
- The Sentinel
- The Castle
- Corral Peak
- Mahomet’s Tomb
In the southern part of the plateau, you’ll find a massive standalone rock, seemingly on the verge of collapse yet miraculously standing upright, known as The Sentinel.
Just behind the Sentinel, you’ll see the rock formation called The Castle, which you can visit, although the official trail abruptly ends at the base of The Castle.
In the northern part of the plateau, you can take a scenic walk through a charming and colorful small plain towards Corral Peak.
The walk itself is the primary attraction because, much like The Castle, the trail concludes at the foot of Corral Peak, featuring a small rock gallery.
Once you’ve completed the Corral Peak and go further north, you’ll be exploring my favourite rock gallery of Le Souef Plateau.
This section offers a fun challenge as you navigate through a maze of rocks, going over and under massive boulders until you finally reach Mahomet’s Tomb.
#7 – The Horn
- Start & finish: The Horn Picnic Area
- Distance: 1.0 km return
- Elevation gain: 55m
- Time: 45 min
- Difficulty: Moderate
A visit to Mount Buffalo National Park wouldn’t be complete without standing on the highest peak in the park: Mount Horn, at an elevation of 1723 meters.
To get to the trailhead, you’ll have to drive a few kilometers up a steep gravel road until you reach the car park and picnic area at the base of Mount Horn.
From the car park, it’s a fairly easy walk to the summit with a few steep sections near the end of the hike. I chose to do this at the end of my day to catch the sunset, and it was a perfect conclusion to my weekend trip to Mount Buffalo National Park.
Even though the temperatures were near freezing at the summit, the lack of wind and the stunning 360-degree views from the summit made the drive and hike completely worthwhile.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
Does it cost to go to Mount Buffalo?
- Driving along Mount Buffalo Road is free, and there are no charges for day visits to Mount Buffalo National Park. However, to stay overnight at Lake Catani or other smaller campsites, you’ll need to book your accommodation on the Parks Victoria website.
When should I visit Mount Buffalo National Park?
- Mount Buffalo National Park is a fantastic destination year-round. In winter, it turns into a snowy wonderland, with many visitors coming for snow activities like skiing, snowshoe walking, and tobogganing.
Is Mount Buffalo road sealed?
- Yes, the Mount Buffalo Road is a high-quality sealed road, providing a very scenic drive. It is the only sealed road in Mount Buffalo National Park.
Do you need snow chains in Mount Buffalo?
- It is mandatory for all vehicles, including 4WD and AWD, to carry snow chains for most of the declared snow season.
What lake is at the top of Mount Buffalo?
- Lake Catani is one of the park’s two artificial lakes, the other being the Reservoir.
What animals are in Mount Buffalo?
- Mount Buffalo is home to many different animals such as Lyrebirds, Wombats, Swamp Wallabies, Dingoes, Ring Tailed Possums, Brush Tailed Possums, Wedge Tailed Eagles, Tawny Frogmouths and others.
How high is The Horn at Mount Buffalo?
- Mount Horn stands as the highest point in Mount Buffalo National Park at an elevation of 1,723 meters. From The Horn summit, you can enjoy sweeping 360-degree views of the Victorian High Country.
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