Mount Buffalo National Park

Your can't but look at Mt Buffalo from your accomodation, the views of the massive granite formation are magnificient.

But wait until you experience the beauty of the National Park close up: An easy 35 km drive from The Buckland - Studio Retreat, the winding road leads you past waterfalls, bizarre rock formations and towering gum trees to the high plateau with its gnarled snow gums, riot of wildflowers in spring and early summer and snow covered peaks in Winter.

Mt. Buffalo was declared National Park in 1898 and has a well established network of walking tracks varying from very easy and level to challenging, the later exploring areas of the park where you won't meet another soul.

In winter the mountain offers range of snow play facilities and well groomed cross country skiing tracks.

Since the fires in late 2006, all of the popular walking tracks around the Gorge area and Lake Catani have been tidied up and re-opened. The re-growth and general re-generation of the bush is an amazing sight.

The various lookouts offer sweeping views of the Ovens and Buckland Valleys and the Australian Alps. The vistas down the Gorge near the chalet are simply breathtaking.

Mt. Buffalo is a great place to visit at any time of the year. In summer it offers the added benefit of being a cool retreat: temperature average around 8 to 12 degrees cooler than in the surrounding valleys.

The Historic Mt. Buffalo Chalet and Cafe are currently closed, but a cafe is open at Dingo Dell and if you take your own picnic hamper, you can be assured to find a great choice of scenic picnic spots.

Mt Buffalo National Park is open year round, the Gate fee is currently $10 per car/day and includes a map with information on the various walking tracks.

Check www.parkweb.vic.gov.au for information about seasonal snow chain requirements.