Editing Mount Buffalo National Park

{{about|the national park|the mountain|Mount Buffalo}}
{{Use Australian English|date=August 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2025}}
{{Infobox Australian place
| type                 = protected
| name                 = Mount Buffalo National Park
| state                = vic
| iucn_category        = II
| image                = Mt buffalo plateau.jpg
| caption              = Mount Buffalo plateau as seen from below ''[[The Horn (Mount Buffalo)|The Horn]]''.
| image_alt            = 
| coordinates          = {{coord|36|44|18|S|146|46|30|E|display=inline,title}}
| relief               = yes
| map_alt              = 
| local_map            = yes
| zoom                 = 8
| nearest_town_or_city = [[Porepunkah, Victoria|Porepunkah]]
| area                 = 310
| area_footnotes       = <ref name=mgmtplan>{{cite book|url=http://parkweb.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/313359/Mount-Buffalo-National-Park-Management-Plan.pdf|title=Mount Buffalo National Park management plan|department=[[Parks Victoria]]|publisher=Government of Victoria|date=June 1996|isbn=0-7306-6138-5|access-date=24 August 2014|pages=1–2|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140708103025/https://parkweb.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/313359/Mount-Buffalo-National-Park-Management-Plan.pdf|archive-date=8 July 2014}}</ref>
| established          = 1898<!-- {{start date|yyyy|mm|dd|df=y}} -->
| established_footnotes  = <ref name=mgmtplan/>
| visitation_num       = ''circa'' {{formatnum:200000}}
| visitation_year      = 1996
| visitation_footnotes = <ref name=mgmtplan/>
| managing_authorities = Parks Victoria
| url                  = https://www.parks.vic.gov.au/places-to-see/parks/mount-buffalo-national-park
}}

[[File:Aerial views of Mount Buffalo, Victoria, Australia.webm|thumb|Aerial views of Mount Buffalo.]]

The '''Mount Buffalo National Park''' is a [[national park]] in the [[Victorian Alps|alpine]] region of Victoria, Australia. The {{convert|31000|ha|acre|adj=on}} national park is located approximately {{convert|350|km}} northeast of Melbourne in the [[Australian Alps]]. Within the national park is [[Mount Buffalo]], a moderately high mountain [[plateau]], with an elevation of {{convert|1723|m}} [[Australian Height Datum|above sea level]].

On 4 November 1898 an area of {{convert|1166|ha}} was reserved around the plateau and Eurobin Falls as Mount Buffalo National Park, making it one of the oldest [[national park]]s in Australia. In 1908 a road was opened to the plateau and the park was expanded to {{convert|10406|ha}}; and in 1980 to its current size to take in most of the surrounding foothill country.<ref name=pv-gotg>{{cite web|last=Catrice|first=Daniel|title='The Garden of the Gods'&nbsp;– A Brief History of Mt Buffalo National Park|url=http://www.parkweb.vic.gov.au/resources/22_2163.pdf|work=Victoria's Heritage Stories|publisher=[[Parks Victoria]]|access-date=28 March 2011|year=1999|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110227162330/http://www.parkweb.vic.gov.au/resources/22_2163.pdf|archive-date=27 February 2011}}</ref>

On 7 November 2008, the park was added to the [[Australian National Heritage List]] as one of eleven areas constituting the [[Australian Alps National Parks and Reserves]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.environment.gov.au/heritage/places/national/australian-alps/information.html |title=Australian Alps National Parks information |access-date=2010-06-10 |publisher=Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts }}</ref>

==Location and features==
Mount Buffalo is a moderately tall mountain plateau on the west side of the Victorian Alpine region. The top of the mountain has striking granite boulders and rock formations. From the north, the mountain is quite remarkable, with the highest accessible point being a prominent peak called [[The Horn (Mount Buffalo)|The Horn]]. A walking track leads to The Horn and visitors can enjoy a 360 degree view from the top.

[[File:MtBuffaloChalet August 2018.jpg|thumb|left|240px|[[Mount Buffalo Chalet]] after restoration work in 2018.]]

Visitor accommodation was available at the historic guest house, the [[Mount Buffalo Chalet]], built in 1910, until January 2007. Parks Victoria and the Victorian Government undertook restoration work on the exterior and gardens of the Chalet in 2017 and 2018.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://parkweb.vic.gov.au/explore/parks/mount-buffalo-national-park/plans-and-projects/mount-buffalo-projects |title=Parks Victoria – Mount Buffalo National Park Projects |access-date=5 September 2018 |archive-date=5 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180905141059/http://parkweb.vic.gov.au/explore/parks/mount-buffalo-national-park/plans-and-projects/mount-buffalo-projects |url-status=dead }}</ref> The chalet overlooks large sheets of granite and has views of the [[Ovens Valley]] and [[Buckland River (Victoria)|Buckland Valley]] below.

Tatra Inn, a lodge located at the west end of the plateau near the cathedral, was destroyed in 2006 by an escaped fuel reduction burn.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theage.com.au/national/lodge-destroyed-on-mount-buffalo-20061213-ge3s8s.html|title = Lodge destroyed on Mount Buffalo|date = 13 December 2006}}</ref> This is a [[rock climbing]], [[abseiling]] and [[hang-gliding]] site,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.visitbright.com.au/mount-buffalo-national-park/|title = Mount Buffalo National Park}}</ref> and there is adventure caving at Mount Buffalo. The camping ground at [[Lake Catani]] is open from November to April.

During the winter season, Mount Buffalo is a destination for [[cross-country skiing]]. There are a number of cross-country ski trails near the cathedral (Cresta), and toboggan runs at Dingo Dell and Cresta Valley, both of which are used by beginners.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://parkweb.vic.gov.au/explore/parks/mount-buffalo-national-park/things-to-do/dingo-dell-keown-lodge |title=Parks Victoria – Dingo Dell – Keown Lodge |access-date=5 September 2018 |archive-date=5 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180905142604/http://parkweb.vic.gov.au/explore/parks/mount-buffalo-national-park/things-to-do/dingo-dell-keown-lodge |url-status=dead }}</ref> Cross-country lessons and many cross-country trails for more experienced skiers are also available.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://parkweb.vic.gov.au/explore/parks/mount-buffalo-national-park/things-to-do/cross-country-skiing |title=Parks Victoria – Cross country skiing |access-date=5 September 2018 |archive-date=5 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180905142537/http://parkweb.vic.gov.au/explore/parks/mount-buffalo-national-park/things-to-do/cross-country-skiing |url-status=dead }}</ref> Visitors stay in the nearby towns of [[Porepunkah, Victoria|Porepunkah]] and [[Bright, Victoria|Bright]].

==History==
[[File:Mt Buffalo The Horn.jpg|thumb|290px|Rocks forming ''The Horn'' on Mount Buffalo]]
Mitambuta and [[Taungurung people]] climbed Mount Buffalo in summer to feast on protein-rich [[bogong moth]]s, and also to meet and hold ceremonies.

Explorers [[Hume and Hovell expedition|Hume and Hovell]] named the mountain in 1824 because of its supposed resemblance to a reclining buffalo. Gold miners and botanists later visited the area. With the beginning of tourism in the 1880s, an area around the Gorge was reserved as a national park in 1898. The park has been enlarged several times since and now takes in all the plateau and surrounding slopes. The Mount Buffalo Chalet was built in 1910, soon after the first road to the plateau was constructed, replacing some earlier more "rustic" accommodation. The park became a holiday destination for succeeding generations and a place for early skiing and ice skating ventures. Mount Buffalo had the first ski tow in Australia.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://parkweb.vic.gov.au/explore/parks/mount-buffalo-national-park/culture-and-heritage |title=Parks Victoria – Culture and heritage |access-date=5 September 2018 |archive-date=5 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180905142619/http://parkweb.vic.gov.au/explore/parks/mount-buffalo-national-park/culture-and-heritage |url-status=dead }}</ref>

When the Mount Buffalo Chalet was run by the [[Victorian Railways]] the restaurant was known as an official "Railways Refreshment Room". Staff worked in railway uniforms, blew whistles and imposed curfews for guests. Railway tickets were issued for equipment and activities such as "Motor to [[Wangaratta]]" and "Skis, steel edged with cane stocks and boots 2nd Grade 8/6-".<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.visitmountbuffalo.com.au/index.php?p=1_4 |title=Archived copy |access-date=5 September 2018 |archive-date=5 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180905175553/https://www.visitmountbuffalo.com.au/index.php?p=1_4 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In late 2006, during the early stages of the huge [[2006–07 Australian Bushfire Season|2006–07 Victorian Alps Fire Complex]], bushfires raged through parts of the national park. The fires destroyed the Cresta Lodge, however the historic Chalet was saved despite being thought to be under threat.

==Fauna==
Due to the range in altitude in the park, there are a variety of fauna habitats. The foothill forests contain [[kangaroo]]s, [[Wallaby|wallabies]], and several species of [[Phalangeriformes|possums]] and [[sugar glider]]s. Smaller mammals such as native rats and mice inhabit the plateau. [[Wombat]]s occur in all habitats. The [[alpine silver xenica]] is a species of butterfly found only on the plateau of Mount buffalo. [[Bogong moth]]s shelter in rock crevices at the horn and it is common to see birds darting in and out of the cracks to feed on them during the day and bats doing the same at night. [[Peregrine falcon]]s sometimes nest in the granite rock faces. [[Crimson rosella]]s are abundant throughout the park.
[[File:The Horn Pano, Mt Buffalo Nat Pk, jjron, 1.4.2011.jpg|center|thumb|800px|Panoramic view across the Mt Buffalo plateau, with Buffalo's highest peak, ''[[The Horn (Mount Buffalo)|The Horn]]'', towards image right; the safety railing for walkers can be seen at the top. The large number of dead trees visible resulted from the [[2006–07 Australian bushfire season|2006–07 Victorian Alps Fire Complex]] which significantly impacted Mt Buffalo]]

==Climate==

Climate data are sourced from [[Mount Buffalo Chalet]], situated at an altitude of {{convert|1350|m}}. An extreme winter rainfall peak is noted, with a large quantity falling as heavy [[snow]].

{{Weather box
|location = [[Mount Buffalo Chalet]] (1910–1980, rainfall to 2021); 1,350 m AMSL; 36.72° S, 146.82° E
|metric first = yes
|single line = yes
|unit precipitation days = 0.2 mm
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan record high C = 31.7
|Feb record high C = 31.9
|Mar record high C = 28.3
|Apr record high C = 24.4
|May record high C = 18.9
|Jun record high C = 15.0
|Jul record high C = 14.0
|Aug record high C = 16.0
|Sep record high C = 19.6
|Oct record high C = 21.5
|Nov record high C = 26.1
|Dec record high C = 29.5
|year record high C = 
|Jan high C = 19.7
|Feb high C = 19.5
|Mar high C = 16.7
|Apr high C = 11.8
|May high C = 8.0
|Jun high C = 5.2
|Jul high C = 3.9
|Aug high C = 4.8
|Sep high C = 7.9
|Oct high C = 11.1
|Nov high C = 14.3
|Dec high C = 17.5
|year high C =
|Jan low C = 10.9
|Feb low C = 11.3
|Mar low C = 9.1
|Apr low C = 5.5
|May low C = 2.7
|Jun low C = 0.4
|Jul low C = -0.6
|Aug low C = -0.2
|Sep low C = 1.7
|Oct low C = 3.8
|Nov low C = 6.3
|Dec low C = 9.1
|year low C = 
|Jan record low C = 0.8
|Feb record low C = 1.5
|Mar record low C = -0.8
|Apr record low C = -3.5
|May record low C = -7.2
|Jun record low C = -5.0
|Jul record low C = -5.6
|Aug record low C = -6.0
|Sep record low C = -6.6
|Oct record low C = -8.1
|Nov record low C = -2.5
|Dec record low C = -1.1
|year record low C =
|Jan precipitation mm = 89.3
|Feb precipitation mm = 87.0
|Mar precipitation mm = 99.5
|Apr precipitation mm = 126.3
|May precipitation mm = 186.9
|Jun precipitation mm = 207.5
|Jul precipitation mm = 225.1
|Aug precipitation mm = 217.7
|Sep precipitation mm = 192.1
|Oct precipitation mm = 183.5
|Nov precipitation mm = 129.7
|Dec precipitation mm = 111.7
|year precipitation mm = 
|Jan precipitation days = 6.6
|Feb precipitation days = 6.7
|Mar precipitation days = 7.4
|Apr precipitation days = 9.0
|May precipitation days = 12.2
|Jun precipitation days = 13.5
|Jul precipitation days = 14.5
|Aug precipitation days = 15.0
|Sep precipitation days = 13.6
|Oct precipitation days = 12.5
|Nov precipitation days = 10.2
|Dec precipitation days = 8.9
|year precipitation days = 
|source 1 = [http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_083073_All.shtml Australian Bureau of Meteorology; Mount Buffalo Chalet]
}}

==Vegetation==
[[File:Mt Buffalo, Victoria, Australia.jpg|thumb|View of Mt Buffalo in winter.]]
Over 550 native species occur; the most significant vegetation communities are the alpine and sub-alpine communities. The lower slopes have communities of mixed gum and peppermint, including the bogong gum (''[[Eucalyptus chapmaniana]]''). These grade into pure stands of alpine ash (''[[Eucalyptus delegatensis]]'') around {{convert|1100|m|ft|abbr=off}} elevation, and subalpine woodland of snow gum, (''[[Eucalyptus pauciflora]]'') above {{convert|1300|m|ft|abbr=off}}. The majority of the plateau is at an elevation of {{convert|1500|m|ft|abbr=off}}, where inverted treelines in valley bottoms give rise to grasslands, with bog and fen communities of ''[[Sphagnum]]'' and ''[[Empodisma]]'' in watercourses.

The endemic eucalypt ''[[Eucalyptus mitchelliana]]'', the Buffalo sallee, is found on higher granite outcrops. Other [[Endemism|endemic]] plants are ''[[Grevillea alpivaga]]'' (Buffalo grevillea), ''[[Acacia phlebophylla]]'' (Buffalo sallow wattle), and ''[[Babingtonia crenulata]]'' (fern-leaf baeckea). The rare ''[[Pratia gelida]]'', snow pratia, occurs in a small area on Hospice Plain.

Grazing was excluded from the park in 1957, one of the earliest exclusions of this activity in any alpine park. Weed species, particularly Himalayan honeysuckle, yarrow and blackberries, pose a continuing management challenge.

==Fungi==

Mount Buffalo National Park is also home to an enormous diversity of fungi. Fungi are ecologically important and megadiverse, yet their significance in underpinning the terrestrial ecology of the park is little recognised.[[File:Boletellus obscurecoccineus.jpg|thumb|''[[Boletellus obscurecoccineus]]'', rhubarb bolete]] The park also contains a great variety of lichens (which are classified as fungi), many of which are important pioneer species, and some of which are restricted to alpine habitats.

Although the [https://web.archive.org/web/20140708103025/http://parkweb.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/313359/Mount-Buffalo-National-Park-Management-Plan.pdf Management Plan for Mount Buffalo National Park] makes no reference to fungi, the park has a great variety of fungi that perform beneficial ecological roles. As primary recyclers of organic matter, saprobic fungi break down fallen branches and leaf litter, making vital nutrients available to other organisms. Other fungi form symbiotic relationships with other organisms. Although rarely acknowledged, the great majority of plants in Mount Buffalo National Park (indeed in the world) form mutually beneficial [[mycorrhiza]]l relationships with fungi.[[File:Leotia lubrica, jelly baby.jpg|thumb|Leotia lubrica]]

Given the great diversity of plants, specialist habitats and micro-climates in the park, a great diversity of fungi, including lichens, is also expected to occur there. Several hundred fungal species have already been recorded by field naturalists and interested individuals and a list can be found in the [http://www.ala.org.au/ Atlas of Living Australia]. ''Leotia lubrica'' commonly known as the [http://bie.ala.org.au/species/Leotia+lubrica jelly baby] grows in leaf litter, moss and soils in the wetter parts of the park. The yellow gelatinous fruitbodies typically grows in clumps. The [[Boletellus obscurecoccineus|rhubarb bolete]], ''Boletellus obscurecoccineus'' is a distinctive species that grows in soils in association with ''Eucalyptus'' species. The Australian citizen-science organisation, [http://fungimap.org.au/ Fungimap] is documenting and mapping the distribution of fungi including those that occur in national parks.

Despite their essential roles in supporting ecosystems, fungi are barely recognised as a vital part of Australia's biodiversity. Although Australia has national and state level biodiversity conservation strategies there is currently no statewide biodiversity strategy for managing biodiversity in Victoria and the [http://www.alpineshire.vic.gov.au/Page/Page.aspx?Page_Id=1837 Alpine Shire Council's homepage section on Environmental Protectio] n contains no reference to the protection of fungi.

==Road cycling==

Mount Buffalo is a popular destination for road cyclists due to the challenging yet scenic climb to the top of the mountain. From the now defunct tollbooth at the base of the mountain to the Mount Buffalo Chalet it's a 20.9&nbsp;km climb at an average gradient of 4.8%.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://theclimbingcyclist.com/climbs/mt-buffalo-national-park/mt-buffalo/|title = Mt. Buffalo &#124; the Climbing Cyclist|date = March 2010}}</ref> The climb can be extended by following the road around to the right at the Chalet turn-off and continuing to Dingo Dell or The Horn.

==See also==
{{stack|{{Portal|Australia|environment}}}}
* [[Alice Manfield|Alice Manfield (Guide Alice)]]
* [[Australian Alps National Parks and Reserves]]
* [[Protected areas of Victoria]]
* [[Skiing in Australia]]
* [[Mount Buffalo]]
* [[Great Dividing Range]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
* [http://www.visitmountbuffalo.com.au/ visitmountbuffalo.com.au]
* [http://www.mountbuffaloskischool.com.au/ mountbuffaloskischool.com.au]
* {{webarchive |url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20090516032135/http://www.parkweb.vic.gov.au/1park_display.cfm |date=16 May 2009 |title=Parks Victoria – Mount Buffalo}}
* Details of ski lifts on Mt Buffalo in the [http://www.australianmountains.com/australianskilifts/#8 Australian Ski Lift Directory]
* [http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/lodge-destroyed-on-mount-buffalo/2006/12/12/1165685681152.html Lodge Destroyed at Mount Buffalo]

{{Protected areas of Victoria|NP}}
{{Skifields of Australia}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Parks of Hume (region)]]
[[Category:National parks of Victoria (state)]]
[[Category:Ski areas and resorts in Victoria (state)]]
[[Category:Protected areas established in 1898]]
[[Category:Climbing areas of Australia]]
[[Category:Forests of Victoria (state)]]
[[Category:1898 establishments in Australia]]
[[Category:Australian Alps National Parks and Reserves]]