Update 26/2: There is an unpowered site already booked at the Mt Buffalo caravan park in Porepunkah available for $165 (total) for 3 nights for up to 2 people. Please select the ‘own accommodation’ (include a note with the booking) or send an enquiry if you are interested.

 

Trip Overview

This is a base-camp style trip staying at Lake Catani on the Mt Buffalo plateau. While there are basic amenities within the campground area (showers, toilets,  etc), it will be necessary to BYO supplies and camping equipment.

Once the initial campsite reservation is fully booked, attendees have the option to book their own campsite at Lake Catani (if one becomes available), or at the base of the mountain in Porepunkah or Bright. (This is the ‘own-accommodation’ option. Suggestions are the Riverview or the adjacent Mt Buffalo caravan park.)

The walks will consist of 2 full and one half-day walks on the plateau.

Camping

This is a base-camp type trip. As such, it will be necessary to BYO camping, cooking equipment, and supplies for the 2.5 days. While it is possible to procure supplies & visit restaurants in Porepunkah & Bright during the trip, this involves a 30km drive up and down a winding road (allow 40 minutes each way) for those staying at Lake Catani. Nor are any supplies available on the plateau itself. Therefore, it is highly recommended to pick up supplies (& refuel) prior to ascending the mountain. Note that there is no refrigeration so it will be necessary to plan accordingly.

The water at Lake Catani is untreated. You will need to BYO drinking water or be prepared to use purifiers, etc. The water is considered suitable for washing.

Six sites have been booked in a ‘group’ camping area. Two people (generally in 2 tents) will be allocated to each site. Please advise if you only have a large tent (you may need to share).

A non-exhaustive list of items to bring are as follows:

• drinking water or purifiers
• tent (& pegs, poles, rope, hammer/mallet) + sleeping mat + sleeping bag + pillow
• breakfast, lunch, dinner & snacks for 3 days
• cooking equipment (stove, pots/pans, cutlery, crockery) as appropriate
• hot, wet & cold weather (we are staying on a mountain in tents!)
• torch
• swimwear (we can swim in Lake Catani)
• earplugs
• mosquito repellent
• 1st aid kit
• walking gear (boots, etc)

Itinerary and Walk Descriptions

The following are the intended walks. However, this may change due to changed conditions, weather, and group inclination.

Day 1: Lake Catani – View Point Nature walk – Chalet – Monolith – Lake View cct, approx. 14km. Option of Chalwell Galleries (2km) afterwards. This walk begins from the camp group and passes around the lake to the nature view (views over the Buckland Valley), to the historic Chalet, and returning via the Monolith (a climb up ladders is rewarded with panoramic views) & Lake View (a high point with views over Lake Catani).

Day 2: [Original plan was Og Gog Magog – Eagle Pt – Mt. Dunn (approx 14km). Starting from ‘The Reservoir’, this walk takes to Og Gog Magog (fantastic views) to Eagle Pt (another lookout with a ladder climb) and returning with a side trip to Mt Dunn.]

Update 1/3: The Reservoir road remains closed to vehicles. The revised track is to start from the Macs Point track and follow the path in a clockwise direction through alpine woodlands, scrub and grasslands with side trips Eagle Point (3km return); Og Gog Magog (short side trip); and Mt Dunn (approx 3km return). Total length (including side trips) is approx 16km. Note that there is limited parking (need to park on the road side & minimize the number of vehicles).

Day 3: The 1/2 day will depend upon group interest. Some options/combinations are Rollason’s Falls (4km, 1.5h + swim); the horn (1.5km, 45mins); Corral/Castle track (3.5km, 1.5h); the old galleries (1km, 30mins); Eurobin Falls (1.5km, 45mins + swim)

Transport

Transport to and from the walk location is by car. Please indicate your transport requirements and preferences on the booking request form when you book in.

If you don’t have a car, we can’t guarantee to provide you with a lift – this will depend on available drivers and their locations.

Passengers must pay the driver their share of car-pooling costs as described on the Car-pooling page. Please discuss the preferred method of payment with your driver.

Booking

Booking is required for this walk. Please indicate what similar walks you have done recently (i.e. in the past few months) to give the leader confidence that you are capable of doing this one. Refer to Walking Grades which, in conjunction with the walk description, will help you assess whether you have the required walking fitness and experience to do this walk.

The Leader will confirm your acceptance on the walk, or not, via email.  The leader will provide details of where and when to meet.

By booking into this event you acknowledge that you agree to abide by our Code of Conduct.

Trip Price:

Lake Catani:
Members:  $45 + Booking fee (nil) = $45.
Non-members: $45 + Booking fee ($10) = $55.

Own accommodation:
Members: $0
Non-members:$10

Payment:
Members and non-members are required to pre-pay the trip price for this event.
You can pay by Paypal. If you are not a Paypal member, you can use Paypal to pay by credit or debit card.

Cancellation:
If you need to cancel, please advise the leader as soon as possible, so that someone else has the opportunity.
There will be no refunds, so please do not book unless you are fully committed to walking.

Note that $5 isn’t refunded to cover Paypal fees.

 

What to Bring

• All the equipment, clothing, food and water you will need for the walks and overnight stays (refer to the ‘Camping’ section above).

• To help manage the Covid risk, the following may be useful: Hand Sanitiser, Face Mask(s), RAT test(s).

Refer to our Gear Checklist page for more details, or discuss with the leader.  If you are not properly equipped, the walk leader can decide not to let you participate on this walk.

 

COVID-19 Requirements

• You should not be attending this event if you are Covid-19 positive and/or are required to be in quarantine or isolation.
• If you have any Covid-19 symptoms or are a contact of someone with Covid-19, please follow the instructions in the Coronavirus Victoria website.

 

Safety and Ambulance Insurance

We strongly recommend that you have Ambulance cover. If conditions are hazardous, the walk may be cancelled. If any doubts at all, check your emails the night before and the morning of the event. For more details refer to: Joining a walk and your safety

 

Still have questions?

Check out What happens on a walk.

Check out Weekend and extended walks.

Contact the leader using the “Enquiry” button.

---