Mount Buffalo opens its snow season operations on Saturday 2 July.  Whether it be family friendly snow play and toboggan at Dingo Dell or cross country ski experiences for all levels at Cresta Valley, Parks Victoria will be offering quality snow play opportunities. Dingo Dell Day Visitor Centre and café will be open every day (except each Wednesday) from the Queen’s Birthday weekend and then daily throughout July and August, providing an inviting place for a hot drink and a bite to eat.

Tobogganing - Dingo Dell
Dingo Dell is located 3km from the Gorge intersection or about 30km from Porepunkah. It’s a great site with lots of room to toboggan and generally just a great spot to build a snow man or just enjoy the sights and sounds of people having fun in this stunning alpine environment. 

As a “designated” tobogganing area it will be available depending on snow conditions, for more information see the snow report on www.vicsnowreport.com.au and www.ski.com.au each day or from local ski hires in Bright and Porepunkah. There is no cost for use of the toboggan slope.

Cross-Country Skiing
The cross country trails lead from opposite the car park at Cresta Valley. Grab a map from the brochure box located on the information board also opposite Cresta Valley Car Park.
Explore Mount Buffalo plateau on 14km of marked trails over 4 routes from Cresta Valley:
- 1 km marked loop trail
- 4 km marked trail around Bogong Plain and The Giants Playground. An additional
ungroomed loop (2km starting from ½ way along the 4km trail) is also marked.
- 3km marked trail to the Horn
- No Trail Fees
- Trails will be groomed to cater for key visitor periods and will depend on snow conditions.
- There are over 20 km of ungroomed, unmarked trails and plenty of remote, back country ski touring opportunities.

Café
The Dingo Dell Day Visitor Centre provides a comfortably heated area where visitors can relax and enjoy hot food and drinks and take a moment of respite from the elements. When the weather is good a vantage point from the verandah provides a great place to watch all the activities on the field.

Access to the site is from the car park on Mt Buffalo Road. Just follow the signs on-foot 300m from the car park to the Day Visitor Centre and toboggan run.

Access for the less able can be organised through the Mt Buffalo park office on 5755 1466

Opening hours (daily from 1 July 2011,closed Wednesdays prior to 1 July)
Café: Open: 10.00am – 3.00pm
Day Visitor Shelter: Open: As per café opening (On Wednesdays prior to 1 July from 9.00-4.00pm)
Toboggan run: Open: 9.00am -4.30pm
Toboggan Hire: As per café opening
For catering or café enquiries please call Keith on 0427 451 576 or at Dingo Dell on 57 551590.

Winter Camping
During the declared snow season Mt Buffalo National Park also offers an opportunity for campers to pitch their tent on a blanket of snow at Lake Catani or Mt McLeod. Depending on snow conditions sites are walk or ski in only. For further information and bookings visit Parks Victoria at www.parkweb.vic.gov.au or call 13 1963.

Ski School
Licensed tour operator, Adventure Guides Australia are again offering a cross country ski school for those wanting to broaden their outdoor adventure skills while taking in the beautiful sub alpine landscape. Contact David Chitty on 0419 280 614 or at www.mountbuffaloskischool.com.au

Chain Fitting
Please remember that snow chains are required to be carried during the winter season by all classes of vehicles, including four wheel drives. They must be fitted when and at the location indicated by road signage. Failure to so endangers you and your family. Penalties apply. 

Spring at Mt Buffalo 2011

Spring is a wonderful time at Mt Buffalo, with 31,000 hectares on offer for the avid bush hiker and is filled with plenty of wildlife such as Lyrebirds, Eastern Rosellas, wombats and swamp wallabies. The National Park has sheer cliffs, granite tors, impressive waterfalls, stunning flora and fauna and is an ideal camping location for your next family holiday. Wildflowers will be starting to appear in Oct/Nov. From the sheer cliffs you have the most spectacular views of the Great Alpine Valleys.

Chalet

Parks Victoria will be conducting free tours through the Mt Buffalo Chalet throughout Spring and Summer 2011 – 2012, ring the Parks Office on 03 5755 1466  for more information.

Camping
Mount Buffalo is a great location for camping. Camping at Lake Catani is available from Melbourne Cup Weekend to April inclusive. Bookings are essential for peak periods. To make a booking call Parks Victoria on 13 1963 or book online at www.parkstay.vic.gov.au . Bookings open at 10:00 am on 1 September each year and will be based on a first-in, first-served basis.

Walking Tracks and Roads

For up to date information on track conditions and track closures, please visit www.parkweb.vic.gov.au 

Dingo Dell Café

Open: 10.00am – 3.00pm Saturdays & Sundays (daily during Vic School Holidays)

For catering or café enquiries please call Keith on 0427 451 576 or at Dingo Dell on 57 551590.