Explore
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.
Set amongst picturesque snow gums, this idyllic and family friendly camping area offers 47 campsites. Some sites are suitable for small caravans and campervans while others are suitable for car camping and tents only. Walk-in campsites provide campers with even quieter surroundings.
There is also a special area set aside for schools and social groups, and several campsites are available for visitors with limited mobility, along with a separate accessible toilet and hot shower.
Though campers are required to be self-sufficient with drinking water, the scenic campground contains everything else you need for a comfortable stay - from flush toilets and hot showers to dishwashing and laundry sinks. A historic stone hut features benches and tables and two fireplaces for shared use. Great for rainy days.
Nearby, a picnic shelter overlooks Lake Catani at the popular Lakeside Day Visitor Area. The shelter has accessible toilets, free gas barbecues and tables. This area is the perfect setting for picnicking , enjoying a cool swim, fishing or paddling a canoe.
As rivers, lakes and reservoirs are natural environments, you may encounter hazards. Follow our water safety advice to make sure your day out at Lake Catani is a safe and enjoyable one.
Things to do
The Horn
The Gorge and Mount Buffalo Chalet
Ladies Bath and Eurobin Falls
Mount Buffalo National Park
Remote hike-in camping
How to get there
Lake Catani Campground
When you're there
Lake Catani Campground and its adjoining day visitor area are in a central location on the Mt Buffalo plateau and within easy access to The Gorge and numerous walking tracks. Download the Mount Buffalo National Park Visitor Guide before you go, for information on walks and other activities.
Lake Catani Campground booking information
Camping at Lake Catani is seasonal. The campground is closed in the shoulder periods between the summer and winter seasons.
Summer and holiday periods
Summer camping at Lake Catani is available from the beginning of November (Melbourne Cup weekend) until the end of April and campsites must be booked online in advance. Advance online bookings apply at Lake Catani Campground for selected holiday periods. Refer to the information on peak season bookings for release dates and minimum booking periods.
Winter
Available from the Friday before the King’s Birthday long weekend in June until the end of August, winter camping is available at Lake Catani for free. No booking is required. Lake Catani Campground is only accessible by skiing, snowshoeing or walking. The track into Lake Catani is a seasonal road and is closed from the Thursday after the King’s Birthday long weekend until mid-September. The road closure may remain in place longer if the track is impacted by snow. The campground amenities are closed during winter. However, a pit toilet located behind the Stone Hut is open for winter campers.
Need to know
Lake Catani Campground
Accessibility
The Lake Catani camping area has several campsites that are well-suited for visitors in wheelchairs as they are located on reasonably level ground and are located within 50 metres of the visitor amenities building. The most accessible sites are sites 2, 3, 11 and 12.
Access to the toilets and showers from the campsites is from one of several compacted gravel paths that meander through the trees from the various campsites, with some paths wider than others.
There are no designated disabled parking bays in the camping area but campsites have sufficient space for vehicles to be parked close to the tents.
The unisex accessible toilet and shower has its own separate entrance in the visitor amenities building.
Download the Lake Catani Campground Accessibility Guide for detailed information.
Restrictions
- No generators
- No horses
- No dogs, cats, or other pets allowed
- No fires permitted outside of existing campfire structures
- No firearms allowed
- No drones or Remotely Piloted Aircraft
- Speed restrictions apply
- Fees apply
Safety in nature
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.
To ensure that you and your companions stay safe, always remember that the natural environment can be unpredictable. At Lake Catani, be aware of difficult terrain, tree falls and both shallow and deep water. Keep to tracks and keep your eyes out for snakes and other wildlife which are more active in the warmer months. Before you go, look at our safety tips.
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
Reservoir Road closed to vehicle traffic
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.Update: 15 Feb 2024. We are aiming for Reservoir Rd to reopen to vehicle traffic at the beginning of November 2024.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 road remains accessible for walkers and mountain bike riders. -
Lake Catani Campground (Mount Buffalo National Park)
registering your vehicle and additional vehicles
Registering all vehicles on your campground booking
It is a requirement that all vehicles are registered on your booking for your stay at Lake Catani Campground.
Your campsite booking allows for one vehicle per site. Any additional vehicles must also be registered and a fee of $10.80 per vehicle per night applies.
Please log in to the online booking portal and:
· add the registration number of your first vehicle and/or
· register and pay for all additional vehicles.
Rangers will be checking for this information.
If you are unable to log in to the booking portal phone Parks Victoria Customer Service on 13 19 63.
For information on vehicle allocations and additional vehicle costs visit: https://www.parks.vic.gov.au/about-us/fees-and-charges
Fees and Changes schedule 2023/24 – 2024/25 - “For vehicle-accessible campsites, one vehicle per campsite is included in the permit fee. Additional vehicle charges apply for each additional vehicle, charged on a per-night basis.”
Vehicle registration numbers and payment of additional vehicles is important:- minimising the number of vehicles per site and throughout the campground reduces the overall impact of dust and vegetation damage, increases visitor amenity (less noise, looks and feels like a campground rather than a carpark) and for the safety of visitors (walking and riding around the campground)- risk management - the Park is closed the evening prior to declared Catastrophic Fire days. It is easier to contact people if vehicles are registered.All vehicles must be parked on the footprint of your campsite (except for the walk-in sites). If your vehicle(s) do not fit, please park in front of the stone hut or in the parking area near the canoe launch area. Thankyou.
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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.