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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Notices Affecting Multiple Sites
Mt Buffalo Road - uphill lane closure December 3rd 7.30-10.30am
30th anniversary of the Tour of BrightThe third stage of the Tour of Bright cycling event is held at Mt Buffalo National Park on Sunday, December 3. The Mt Buffalo Road uphill lane will be closed from the park entrance station to Dingo Dell from 7.30am to 10.30am. Visitors staying at Lake Catani Campground will be able to leave the plateau on Sunday morning as the downhill lane is not impacted by the event. Travel from the campground to The Horn and Cresta Valley between 7.30-10.30am will not be possible. Please plan your day accordingly.For more information on the event visit www.tourofbright.com.au
We apologise for any inconvenience.Reservoir Road closed
Reservoir Road has been damaged extensively by a storm on June 8th 2023. Mt Buffalo National Park had 176mm of rain fall in 24 hours. Reservoir Road will be closed indefinitely to vehicle traffic until considerable repairs can be made.The closure of Reservoir Road adds an additional 3kms each way for walks to Mt McLeod, Rocky Creek, Eagle Point and Og Gog & McGog.Parking is available at the junction of Reservoir Road and Mt Buffalo Road near the Vic Roads depot.The Gorge Coffee Van opening days and hours
The Gorge Coffee Van opening days and hours of operationThe Coffee Van is located at the lower end of The Gorge carpark. The Gorge is a great location to start one of the many walks in the Mt Buffalo National Park or to have a picnic.The coffee van will only be open weekends until the Saturday, 16th December. With the exception of the following weekends, 2-3 December and 9-10 December, when the coffee van will be closed.
The coffee van will be open every day from Saturday, 16th December to Monday, 29th January. The coffee van will be closed on Christmas Day.
The Gorge Coffee Van opening hours are 10am until 4pm. -
Mount Buffalo National Park
Planned aerial shooting operations targeting deer – December 2023
Parts of the Park will be closed during these dates while aerial shooting operations targeting deer are undertaken.11-15 December 202318-20 December 2023See attached map for details.Attachments: Mt Buffalo aerial operations Information sign (275KB)
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Notices Affecting Multiple Parks
Ground shooting operations targeting deer
Control operations (ground shooting) targeting deer are undertaken in this area. The Park will remain open to visitors during operations. -
Lake Catani Campground (Mount Buffalo National Park)
Lake Catani Campground campfire pits only (no bbq plates or billy hooks)
The campfire pits at Lake Catani Campground are currently being reconstructed. The old concrete slabs and swinging bbq plates and billy holding arms have been removed to be replaced with prefabricated campfire places using larger concrete pads and metal surrounds. Currently the campfire places consist only of dirt bases and rock surrounds. If you would like to cook on an open fire you will need to bring your own self-standing bbq plate and a tripod for a billy or pot. Free gas bbqs and picnic tables are available at the Lakeside Picnic Area. This area is a short walk from the campground.We apologise for any inconvenience and are working towards getting the new fireplaces in-situ as soon as possible.