Ascent of the Monolith, Mt Buffalo National Park

These pix were taken on Saturday December 3, 2011, in the Mt Buffalo National Park, 350 km NE of Melbourne.

They show the scenery and environment on the 2.5 km circuit walking track to the Monolith.

This rugged rock formation is 1464 m above sea level, and 130 m above Lake Catani, which is at its base.

The signposted Track is reached from the Mt Buffalo Tourist Rd, just past the Lake.

The higher section of the track is formed from stone steps set into the side of a ravine, steep in sections, crossed by small alpine brooks.

The track ends at the summit, and the return may be made by an alternative track which ends at the Mt Buffalo Tourist Rd, not far from the starting point.

At the end of the track, a further series of steps may be followed to the base of an old metal ladder, which has been closed off by the authorities as unsafe.

The views from the base of this ladder are superb, looking across the plateau in 360 degrees! The panorama from the start of the last series of steps is also very good.

See all of the Monolith Trip Pictures!

Mt Buffalo National Park, Cresta Valley in winter

Hump and Cathedral from Horn Rd

Cresta Valley ski field

Hump and Cathedral from Horn Rd

Le Seouf Peak from Horn Rd

On Sunday August 8, 2010, with mate Mick, we visited the Mt Buffalo National Park, 350 km NE of Melbourne.

Our destination was the Cresta Valley, high up on the Plateau.

The pictures show the scenery and marvellous rock formations along the Valley and nearby locations, including the Dingo Dell and Cresta ski fields.

Temperature at the time was zero degrees!

The Horn Rd is closed during winter at the end of Cresta Valley and becomes a XC ski trail.

The first ski-tow in Australia was built at Cresta in 1936.

Sadly, in December 2006, a bushfire destroyed the Cresta Lodge (previously known as the Tatra Inn), the Motel, and the Restaurant. The five ski lifts were saved.

Mackey's Lookout is on the Mt Buffalo Rd, on the way up the mountain.

See all of the Photos of our visit, including some historical photos dating back to the year 1900.

Rollason's Waterfalls - Mt Buffalo National Park

The spectacular Rollason Falls are in the Mt Buffalo National Park, about 300 km NE of Melbourne.

They are reached from the signed picnic area on the Mt Buffalo Rd, about 7 km from the town of Porepunkah.

The return walk is about 4 km. The lower section is quite steep and rocky and care is needed.

There are two sets of Falls - the Lower and Upper - formed from the Buffalo Creek. At the Lower Falls there is a swimming area.

We did this interesting walk on Monday morning August 10, 2009.

See the full set of Photos of our trip!