Wild Dog & Five Acre Plains Hike (22km)

The Wild Dog and Five Acre Plains circuit is a 22-kilometre loop nestled within Mount Buffalo National Park, Victoria. Typically taking around ten hours to complete, this Grade 3 hike offers an immersive day out on the Buffalo Plateau, threading through diverse alpine landscapes and delivering a sense of solitude that’s increasingly hard to find. Despite its length, the well-defined trail is manageable for most experienced hikers and rewards those willing to spend the day on foot exploring lesser-known corners of the park.

The journey begins at Charmichael Point on Blackfellow Plain, where you’ll set off along the Macs Point Track. Roughly 500 metres in, a signposted turnoff directs you towards Mount Dunn. This track descends gently across The Long Plain, where the scenery begins to open up and the terrain shifts between grassy clearings and scattered snow gums. At the first junction, turn left and continue north along the Long Plain Walking Track towards Mount Dunn. The trail gradually ascends, wrapping around the flanks of the mount before reaching a saddle. From there, a steeper climb begins, with metal ladders bolted securely into the rock to assist you to the summit. The climb is short-lived and well worth the effort—clear days offer expansive views across the plateau, with the surrounding peaks and ridgelines laid out in all directions.

After taking in the views, return down Mount Dunn’s eastern side and rejoin the Long Plain Walking Track. This leg leads you to the Reservoir Day Visitor Area, where you’ll briefly follow the road northeast past the car park. Pick up the Mount McLeod Track for a short stretch before turning left at a well-marked junction. This section carries you westward towards Five Acre Plains, with a few worthwhile side trips along the way. Og Gog Magog and Eagle Point are both short detours that open up panoramic perspectives across the park—well suited to a lunch stop or quiet moment to take it all in.

Past Eagle Point, the track moves across the open sweep of Mollison Plain before arriving at its most westerly point—Mollison’s Galleries. This dramatic outcrop of weathered granite looks out over the Buffalo River Valley and is one of the most atmospheric spots along the route, offering both scale and stillness in equal measure.

From the Galleries, retrace your steps for about 500 metres to a trail junction. Here, the path becomes less distinct as it drops down the escarpment. It’s easy to stray off course through this section, so it’s worth slowing down and keeping an eye out for faint markers and worn sections underfoot. Once you reach the Rocky Creek 4WD track, you’ll have a decision to make.

For those staying overnight, turning right leads to the secluded Rocky Creek Campsite. Facilities are basic—unpowered sites only—and fires are not permitted, so a fuel stove is essential. Each site is capped at two people, with a total capacity of ten across the campground. Bookings must be made in advance via the Parks Victoria website or by phoning 13 19 63.

If you’re completing the loop in a single day, turn left instead and follow the trail east towards Wild Dog Plains. After around three kilometres, keep an eye out for a trail branching off to the right towards Macs Point. This final section crosses a series of snow grass plains and leads to sweeping views over the Great Dividing Range—a highlight late in the day when the light turns golden and the landscape softens.

From Macs Point, retrace your steps to the earlier junction and take the trail that continues southeast, winding past Split Rocks and the Giants Causeway. These areas are scattered with sculptural rock formations that invite a bit of exploration, and both Stanley and Drillhole Rocks are nearby if you’re up for a short scramble. The final leg follows the Macs Point trail back through alpine ash and granite-strewn clearings, bringing you full circle to Charmichael Point.

This is a varied and rewarding route that links together some of the lesser-visited areas of Mount Buffalo. It’s long enough to feel like an adventure but accessible enough for those with a solid level of hiking fitness and a sense of direction. Whether done in a day or broken into two, the Wild Dog and Five Acre Plains circuit offers a genuine connection to the raw beauty of the plateau.