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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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Lake Catani Campground (Mount Buffalo National Park)
Lake Catani Campground CLOSED
Lake Catani Campground is currently CLOSED.Winter camping at Lake Catani is from Queens Birthday long weekend in June through to 31st August each year. The toilet, showering and laundry facilities are closed during this period. A pit toilet behind the Stone Hut is open for winter camping use. No booking is required.Summer camping is from the Friday before Melbourne Cup long weekend at the beginning of November and the campground is closed at the end of April. All facilities are open for this duration. Campsites must be booked online and in advance.Remote camping at Mt McLeod and Rocky Creek campsites are open year round and require an online booking. These sites are NOT accessible by car and require lightweight overnight hiking equipment and reasonable fitness to walk to. -
Notices Affecting Multiple Sites
Mt Buffalo Seasonal Road Closures
Extension of Mt Buffalo National Park Seasonal Road ClosuresAffected roads:- Mt Buffalo Road from Cresta Valley to The Horn Picnic Area (The Horn Road)
- Reservoir Road
- Lake Catani Campground circuit road (closed)
These roads will remain closed until the weather and road conditions improve. Each road will be assessed on an individual basis.Carparking for overnight hiking into the remote campsites at Mt McLeod and Rocky Creek is at the junction of Reservoir Road and Mt Buffalo Road (near the Vic Roads depot). -
Mount Buffalo National Park
Mount Buffalo Road - requirement to carry vehicle snow chains
The Mt Buffalo Road is a declared hazardous road from 1st June through to 7th October. Vehicle snow chains may be required to be carried throughout this period. An assessment is made prior to each day as to whether snow chains are required. This decision is based on forecasted snow below 1600 metres or the current road conditions are considered hazardous from snow and/or ice.A Mount Buffalo Snow Report is posted daily on the Mt Buffalo National Park web page. This report provides information on current snow conditions and whether chains are required to be carried and also if they are currently being fitted.Mt Buffalo - vehicle snow chain carrying requirement
The requirement to carry vehicle snow chains on the Mount Buffalo Road has been lifted.
If this requirement changes due to forecasted snow this report will be updated. -
Notices Affecting Multiple Parks
Planned deer control operations - Eastern Region
Planned deer control operations - Eastern RegionDeer control operations (ground and aerial) will be carried out across the following parks and reserves between October 2022 and June 2023.- Alpine
National Park
- Mount
Bogong & Bogong High Plains
- Dinner
Plain/Dargo High Plains
- Feathertop
- Foothills
and Southern Alps
- Ingeegoodbee/Tingaringy
- Buchan
Caves Reserve
- Cabbage
Tree Creek Flora Reserve
- Cape
Conran Coastal Park
- Coopracambra
NP
- Croajingolong
NP
- Errinundra
NP
- Lake
Tyers State Park
- Baw
Baw NP
- Mount
Buffalo NP
- Snowy
River NP
- Upper
Murray - Wabba Wilderness, Burrowa Pine NP, Mt Mittamitite
- Wilsons
Prom NP
More information on temporary park closures for aerial shooting operations will be provided in the coming weeks - Alpine
National Park
