Lakeside Day Visitor Area (Mount Buffalo National Park)

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Lakeside Day Visitor Area (Mount Buffalo National Park)

The Lakeside Day visitor areas are the perfect places to cool down. When it is 35degrees in Bright it will be about 25 degrees here. Enjoy the small lakeside beach where you can go for a dip or launch a canoe. Take a stroll along the jetty or have a meal in the picnic shelter with tables and 2 free gas barbeques.

How to get there

Lakeside Day Visitor Area (Mount Buffalo National Park)

Facilities

Toilets

Carpark

Need to know

Lakeside Day Visitor Area (Mount Buffalo National Park)

Safety in nature

You can benefit both mind and body when you get outdoors to explore and experience Victoria's natural places. Before you go, take a look at our safety tips and check our changed conditions and closures information for a great visit.

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. Parks Victoria provides a range of a equipment, including all-terrain and beach wheelchairs, facilities, accommodation and accessibility information and programs to help you plan and enjoy your visit to Victoria's parks.

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.

Warnings & Restrictions

Dogs

Dogs are not allowed

Restrictions

No firearms allowed
No dogs allowed
No camping
No horses
No generators

Warnings

Water hazards
Shallow water

Deep water

Submerged obstacles

Be Prepared

Stay safe and get the most out of your park visit by preparing for natural hazards and other outdoor risks in Victoria’s parks. You are responsible for your own safety and the safety of those in your care. Find out more.

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.

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.

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 2023

18-20 December 2023

See attached map for details.

For more information about the program and park closures, please visit this link.

Attachments: Mt Buffalo aerial operations Information sign (275KB)

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.

The Gorge Coffee Van opening days and hours

The Gorge Coffee Van opening days and hours of operation

The 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.

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.

For more information about deer control to protect biodiversity, please visit this link.