The Horn

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    The Horn

    Mount Buffalo National Park

    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. The Horn is the perfect place to enjoy a sunset or sunrise within an easy drive of the beautiful Alpine town of Bright. 
    Perched on top of granite cliffs at the edge of the Mount Buffalo plateau, The Horn is a unique landscape. Dotted here and there among the great boulders are the twisted, sun-bleached trunks of Snow Gums that have succumbed to bushfires over the years. A stone lookout shelter perched precariously atop the cliff overlooks all of this as well as the surrounding mountains far below. 

    Bring your lunch and enjoy the Alpine scene from the comfort of a table at The Horn Picnic Area. The picnic area isn't actually at the top of The Horn. You can access the summit via a short walk (45 minutes return).

    This is also a popular place to watch a sunset. If you're lucky you might see little Australian Kestrels diving on Bogong Moths in the failing light. Otherwise, just enjoy the solitude of this mountain peak far above the worries of civilisation.

    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.
    A campground host at Lake Catani talks to two visitors about the campsite.

    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 group of abseilers descend into the Gorge at Mt Buffalo with views of the Bogong High Plains in the back ground.

    The Gorge and Mount Buffalo Chalet

    Home to historic Mount Buffalo Chalet, the Gorge is perched on 200m sheer cliffs and commands fantastic views over the Alps.

    How to get there

    The Horn

    Mount Buffalo is 325 kilometres (three and a half hours’ drive) northeast from 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 from McKinnons Corner through to Cresta Valley. Snow chains must be carried and fitted when and where directed by road signs during the declared snow season. Horn Road is unsealed and can become dusty and rough. It is closed during winter or following periods of heavy rain. Horn Road is not suitable for caravans.
    The Horn

    When you're there

    The Horn Picnic Area is located just below The Horn which is the highest point of Mount Buffalo at 1,723 metres. The views from the picnic area are superb, but a walk along the Horn Track, which starts from here, will take you to another lookout with 360 degree views of the plateau and Australian Alps. The trail is 800m or 45 minutes return. The nearest toilets to the Horn Picnic Area are located at Cathedral Saddle.

    Need to know

    The Horn

    Accessibility

    Visiting a park can be more of a challenge for people with disabilities, however in Victoria there are a wide range of facilities to help people of all abilities enjoy our wonderful parks around the state.

    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 Parks

      Seasonal road closures 2020

      Some roads in this park are subject to seasonal road closures. Seasonal road closures generally operate after the long weekend in June through to the end of October, but may be extended due to seasonal conditions. View the list of 2020 seasonal road closures for details and check the corresponding map numbers with the seasonal road closure 2020 index map for locations of the closures or visit the seasonal road closures page for more information.

    • Notices Affecting Multiple Sites

      Winter 2020 at Dingo Dell & Cresta Valley

      This winter with restrictions caused by COVID19 there will be systems in place during anticipated busy periods, such as the school holidays and weekends, to ensure the safety of staff and visitors and compliance of restrictions.

      At these busy times, Parks Victoria staff will limit the number of visitors permitted into the park at any one time. Once capacity is met, entry to the park will be temporarily halted. Vehicles will be permitted to enter as other vehicles leave. Parks Victoria staff will be at the park entry to advise visitors. A message sign at the roundabout at Porepunkah will show the current entry conditions and any expected delays.

       Indoor shelter will not be available during school holidays and weekends, and will not be guaranteed at other times.


    • Mount Buffalo National Park

      Visitor number restrictions over winter

      Parks Victoria have implemented some changes to snowplay operations this year as part of public health measures. There will be a limit on the number of visitors permitted into Mount Buffalo National Park at any one time. Once capacity is met, entry to the park will be temporarily halted to manage visitor numbers. Vehicles will be permitted to enter as other vehicles leave. Parks Victoria staff will be at the park entry to assist visitors and monitor vehicle numbers. For further information go to parks.vic.gov.au/COVID19

    Two hikers reach the summit of Mount Nelse at Bogong High Plains
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