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Length: 6km
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Duration: 2.5hrs
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Grade: 3
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Style: Circuit
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Start: Lake Catani Campground
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End: Lake Catani Campground
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Location: Mount Buffalo National Park
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Closest Town: Porepunkah
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Distance from CBD: 336km
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State: VIC
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Latitude: -36.72657033
Longitude: 146.8225895
Keep the Trail Access info current...

Select items to indicate conditions for access to the trail.


2WD Access


4WD Access


Public Transport


Bitumen Road


Gravel Road


Steep Road


Winding Road


Speed Bumps


Vehicle Ford


Entry Fee


Large Car Park


Small Car Park


Accessible Parking


Accessible Toilet


Public Toilets


Drinking Water


Untreated Water


Picnic Shelter


Picnic Table


BBQ Facilities


Campfire Pit


Camping Area
Keep the Trail Features current...

Mount Buffalo National Park...
Select items to indicate features found along the trail.


Concrete Path


Timber Boardwalk


Gravel Path


Sandy Trail


Rough Trail


Undefined Trail


Prams & Strollers


Manual Wheelchair


Motorised Wheelchair


Bicycle Trail


Mountain Bike Trail


Historic Rail Trail


Dog Friendly


Urban Walk


Coast & Beach


Historic Lighthouse


Waterfalls & Lakes


Rainforest Walk


Goldfields & Mining


Heritage Walk


Aboriginal Art


Alpine Region


Alpine Huts


Exposed Ledges


Rock Scrambling


Steep Terrain


Bush Bashing


River Crossings


Scenic Viewpoints


Well Marked


Drinking Water


Untreated Water


Fishing Spots


Swimming Spots


Overnight Campsites


Trail Running


Horse Riding
Hike Summary
The Chalwell Galleries are a granite outcrop with magnificent views of the Buckland valley and out towards Mount Bogong, the highest mountain in Victoria as well as the NSW Alps. The galleries are named after Ernie Chalwell, the stable master at the Buffalo Chalet in the 1940s and 1950s.
A short fun trip, this trail begins at the Lake Catani Campground. The track passes through the galleries which are a jumble of large granite rocks and boulders forming impressive passages. This is where your scrambling skills are put to the test, as you navigate your way through some tight squeezes and narrow fissures between two large boulders and other impressive rock formations. This steep section is a little challenging, (more suitable for kids older than 8) but you will feel like superstars after making it to the other side where the view of the Buckland Valley is a special surprise at the end.
Camping
Rocky Creek Campground is open during winter but the walk into the campsites is longer because the Reservoir Road closes. Therefore, campers need to be well prepared for Alpine areas and prepared for a long walk/ski.Water is available from the nearby creek.This campground offers unpowered sites and a pit toilet. Fires are prohibited (fuel stoves only). The campground has a capacity of two people per site and a maximum capacity of 10 people (children are charged as adults).
Advanced bookings and payment are required. You can book online or call Parks Victoria on 13 1963.
About the region
An all-seasons national park, Mount Buffalo has sheer cliffs, imposing granite tors, tumbling waterfalls, snow gums and stunning wildflowers. First reserved in 1898, the 31,000 hectare park contains vegetation and fauna adapted to extremes of weather, as a result of its sub-alpine location. As you drive and walk throughout the park, you will see evidence of the recent fires, but you will also see the vivid colours as species begin to regenerate. There is plenty of wildlife to see including Lyrebirds, Eastern Rosellas, Wombats and Swamp Wallabies. Many animals can be seen along the main tourist road so please drive carefully, especially at dawn and dusk.
Getting there
Drive towards Bright via Hume Highway, Wangaratta and Myrtleford. Take the turn off to Mount Buffalo near Porepunkah. Drive up to the Buffalo plateau, continue past the road to the chalet and drive until you see the Parks Office on your right. Follow the signs off the Mount Buffalo Tourist Road (C535) to Lake Catani Campground and the Lakeside Day Visitor Area. Lake Catani Campground is open from the beginning of November until the end of April.
Tips
- Great fun for the whole family.
- Some tricky sections but with encouragement and enthusiasm the whole family will make it through.
- Once through the galleries the track is an easy descent to the car park.
GPX File
Max elevation: 1390 m
Min elevation: 1277 m
Total climbing: 226 m
Total descent: -229 m
Hikes Nearby
3 thoughts on “Chalwell Galleries (6km)”
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This is a great hike to do with the kids. Plenty of adventure in the galleries
Our fave Tezcan
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