Remote Hike-In camping

Mount McLeod Hike-in Camping Area

Rocky Creek Hike-in Camping Area

    This area has additional visitor advice This area has reported issues This area is closed

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    Remote hike-in camping

    Mount McLeod and Rocky Creek Camping Areas offer a great introduction to overnight camping in Mount Buffalo National Park.

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    The two camping areas, accessed on foot from the Reservoir Picnic Area, offer a great opportunity to escape into the alpine surrounds of Mount Buffalo National Park.

    Open year round but often under snow during winter, both campgrounds are best visited from November through April, when longer days bring more favourable weather. Also, between Queen's Birthday and Melbourne Cup long-weekends, the walk into the both campsites is 3km longer and begins at Mount Buffalo Road, as Reservoir Road is seasonally closed. Campers need to be well prepared for Alpine areas and prepared for a long walk and ski. Advance booking and payment are required year round.

    Mount McLeod Hike-in Camping Area
    This camping area is accessible along Mt McLeod track — approximately 8km from the Reservoir Picnic area.

    The campground offers five unpowered campsites and a pit toilet. Each campsite accommodates a maximum of two people (children are charged as adults). Fires are prohibited, use fuel stoves only.

    Water is seasonally available from where the road crosses a creek, approximately 100m southwest of the campsite. Hikers are advised to treat before consumption otherwise carry sufficient water supplies for the duration of their stay.

    Rocky Creek Hike-in Camping Area
    This camping area is accessible along Rocky Creek track — approximately 6.5 km from the Reservoir Picnic Area.

    The campground offers five unpowered campsites and a pit toilet. Each campsite accommodates a maximum of two people (children are charged as adults). Fires are prohibited, use fuel stoves only.

    Water is available from the nearby creek. Hikers are advised to treat before consumption.

    Things To Do

     
    Two women follow the path through scrub up Mt Bogong with mountain views in the distance.

    Walking

    Whether you’re after a gentle stroll or something long-distance, there are walking trails to suit all levels of fitness and ability.
    A couple in their thirties take in the view along Dead Timber Track.

    Hiking and bushwalking

    Witness breathtaking natural scenery at some of Victoria’s most iconic places when you lace up your boots and take to a hiking trail.
    Stargazing in the Murray Sunset National Park.

    Stargazing

    Escape the city lights to remote nature locations to see the spectacular starry southern night sky.

    How to get there

    Remote hike-in camping

    Access both campgrounds is from the trailhead at the end of Reservoir Road. From there follow the sign posts along management vehicle only tracks to Rocky Creek and Mount McLeod camping areas.

    Head along Mount Buffalo road towards the Horn and Reservoir road is the first right after the Park Ranger's office. Reservoir Road is unsealed and depending on the conditions may not be suitable for some 2WDs with low clearance.

    Remote hike-in camping

    Sites

    When you're there

    Download the Mount Buffalo National Park visitor guide for more information about the park and the plethora of experiences to be had within its borders. 

    Need to know

    Remote hike-in camping

    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.

    Be prepared and stay safe

    Mount Buffalo National Park is in the North East fire district. Bushfires can occur during the warmer months. It is your responsibility to check current and forecast weather conditions. Campfires cannot be lit on days of Total Fire Ban, however gas cookers can be used for preparing food.

    Check the Fire Danger Rating and for days of Total Fire Ban at emergency.vic.gov.au, on the Vic Emergency App or call the Vic Emergency Hotline 1800 226 226.

    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.

    • 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 Closures
      Affected roads:
      • Reservoir Road
      • Lake Catani Campground circuit road (closed)

      Now Open
      Lake Catani Road to Lakeside Picnic Area
      Mt Buffalo Road from Cresta Valley to The Horn Picnic Area (The Horn Road)

      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 Region
       
      Deer 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
       
       For more information on deer control to protect native species visit parks.vic.gov.au.

    Three friends stop for a quick drink late in the afternoon on their walk from Hotham to Falls Creek.

    Falls to Hotham Alpine Crossing

    One of Victoria's icon walks, the 37km Falls to Hotham Alpine Crossing (FHAC) is a 3 day/2 night walk through the Alpine National Park, linking the resort villages of Falls Creek and Mt Hotham.
    Two women walk towards the summit of Mt Bogong in the Alpine National Park.

    Mount Bogong

    At 1986 metres, Mt Bogong is the highest peak in Victoria and attracts hikers and skiers.
    Two friends walk along the track south of Redmans Bluff with views of the Serra Range in the background on central section 3 of the GPT

    Grampians Peaks Trail

    The Grampians Peaks Trail (160km) is a world-class 13-day hiking experience from Mt Zero in the north, through Halls Gap and finishing at Dunkeld. It can also be completed in shorter sections.
    Two hikers reach the summit of Mount Nelse at Bogong High Plains
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