The Big Walk (12km)

The Big Walk is one of Mount Buffalo National Park’s most rewarding trails, taking hikers on a 12-kilometre journey from the base of the mountain to the Gorge Day Visitor Area near the summit. With a steady elevation gain of around 1,000 metres, the trail unfolds through a rich variety of environments, from moist foothill forests to alpine ash woodlands and exposed granite outcrops. While graded as moderate to difficult, the route offers plenty of moments to pause, take in sweeping views of the Australian Alps, and appreciate the diversity of flora, fauna, and geology that make Mount Buffalo such a special part of Victoria’s high country.

The walk begins at Eurobin Creek Picnic Area, where a swing bridge leads across the creek and into the cool, damp forest. The climb starts almost immediately, rising sharply through tall eucalypts and dense undergrowth. After a couple of kilometres, the trail meets a 4WD track. Turning left, you continue uphill for another 700 metres before reaching the main road at Eurobin Point. This section is one of the more physically demanding parts of the walk, so it's a good place to stop and rest among the impressive sandstone formations scattered through the landscape.

After a short 100-metre section along the main road, the track resumes, winding through gentler terrain along a spur that climbs towards the Mount Buffalo Tourist Road. Here, walkers have the option to add a 4-kilometre return detour to Rollasons Falls Picnic Area. With its picnic tables, fireplaces and toilet facilities, this is a pleasant spot for a longer break before rejoining the main route.

Back on the main track, the forest begins to open up. Swamp wallabies are sometimes seen darting through the undergrowth, and the call of currawongs and other birdlife echoes through the trees. The trail eventually crosses the road again and leads to Mackey’s Lookout, sitting at around 920 metres. The views from here are expansive, with the Alps stretching across the horizon and the valley dropping away below. From this point, granite becomes the dominant feature underfoot and the vegetation becomes increasingly sparse, marking the approach to the upper reaches of Mount Buffalo.

A brief side track leads to Marriott’s Lookout, where you can peer into the depths of the Gorge. Back on the main path, the understorey thickens again and Alpine Ash trees become more frequent as you pass through the snowline at approximately 1,150 metres. The air feels cooler here, and the landscape takes on a distinctly alpine feel.

The trail climbs steadily to Manfields Junction, the highest point of the walk at 1,350 metres. It's worth wandering off the track here to check out Manfields Lookout or Reeds Lookout—both are within easy reach and provide spectacular views across the plateau and beyond. Reeds also links back to the main trail via a loop, allowing you to continue the journey toward the Gorge.

As the end of the walk draws closer, the track skirts dramatic granite cliffs and winds through snow gum woodlands. Wilkinson’s Lookout offers a high vantage point over the valley, while Pulpit Rock provides a closer glimpse of the gorge walls, where climbers often test their skills. The trail crosses Crystal Brook—a reminder of the forces that helped carve the Gorge over millions of years—and passes The Oval Picnic Area, a flat grassy space framed by alpine trees.

The Gorge Day Visitor Area is well-equipped, with toilets, picnic tables and a shelter. While the historic Mount Buffalo Chalet remains closed (currrently), there’s still plenty to explore. Lookouts like Echo Point and Bents Lookout offer far-reaching views, and several tracks depart from this area, inviting further exploration. Trails lead to the Monolith, the Underground River, and Lake Catani, where a campground nestled among snow gums makes a great base for longer stays in the park.

Although The Big Walk is often completed one-way with car shuttles or drop-offs arranged, it can also be tackled as a return hike for those with the stamina for a full-day, 24-kilometre challenge. However you choose to experience it, this trail offers a rich and varied taste of the mountain’s beauty—one step at a time, with each section revealing something new.