On Sunday March 23rd, a fine and sunny day greeted the 16 walkers choosing to hike up on the plateau of Mount Buffalo. The original loop walk was altered slightly to take in Mt Dunn, the Monolith and the Lake View summit. This enabled three peaks within close vicinity of each other to be explored, with a planned hike distance of about 14.5km.

On todays walk we had three gentlemen accompanying the thirteen ladies. The first stop was at the park entrance for a ‘comfort stop’. From my observation this was for a select thirteen walkers of our group. We were soon underway to the starting point of Grossman’s Mill Picnic Area, which is adjacent to Lake Catani next to the main road.

After an acknowledgement of country, the distribution of maps and introductions, which included our regular trio of Sandi, Sandie and Sandii (personally I feel I could spell them anyway I wish).

Today we welcomed first time walker with the club Angi, who was also making her first visit to our beloved Mount Buffalo. Today’s group was efficient and well organised, so before you could say we were moving like a bloat of hippopotamuses (yes bloat), we were off walking a little after 9.30am.

Reservoir Road is being worked on since some storm damage, and so today involved a return walk to Mount Dunn instead of a loop.

From the beginning of the Long Plain track, the summit is under 3.5km away. Recent rain in the middle of the week had freshened things up nicely.

Our track showed little evidence of the latest rain, and was relatively dry and firm underfoot. One fallen tree across our path required a little navigation over some large branches.

This walk is obviously popular, and one lady was determined to compete it no matter what. She was wearing a moon boot! Now that’s commitment. To reach the approximate 1535m peak of Mount Dunn, an ascent of about 170m is made over the last kilometre Sturdy ladders assist in reaching the summit, although their steps are best suited to hikers with feet the size of a toddler. The 360-degree clear views made an excellent location for morning tea at 11am.

Once we were satisfied our nourishment had been completed, we began the return walk. At the bottom of the track where it meets a junction that leads to the Reservoir, I handed out nutritious snakes to each walker.

Ingrid rather enthusiastically called out ‘SNAKES’, to which our newcomer Angi jumped backwards, noticeably startled, with her expectation of about to encounter her first ever snake in the bush. I was to learn later that her greatest fear regarding bush walking is snakes. However there are no snakes on Mount Buffalo. The drop bears, yowies and bunyips have killed them all.

A charming section of the walk covered with bright green ferns, and large granite rocks, is made a little past the forementioned junction. This section of the walk then becomes part of the Long Plain Walk that follows Eurobin Creek.

Soon Lake Catani came into view, and Mount Buffalo Road was reached. Lake Catani, the picnic tables and shade of nearby trees presented the best option as a lunch spot after competing about 7.5km thus far.

Last time here, in less than desirable weather, a well-fed wood duck, accompanied us for lunch. Once again, they made an appearance, hoping for any crumbs that might fall to the ground. Whilst eating my lunch, I reminisced of how much I enjoy Autumn Duck Confit Salad appearing on a dining menu. After lunch, a group photo was taken with the lake in the background, and we resumed our walk.

The next kilometre was walking alongside the lake towards the weir. Several brave and hardy souls were swimming in the lake, whose water I know would be exceptionally chilly. For me to undertake such an activity I would need the temperature much warmer. The sort of heat where cows would give powdered milk.

Once past the weir, it was a turn towards the Chalet along a popular short path in the park. Another viewpoint, just off this track, provided an opportunity to take in the sights of the eastern side of Mt Buffalo.

Back on the main route, our junction leading to the Monolith was soon reached. Walking this section is much like the entire plateau with fantastically shaped granite boulders amongst grand old trees and other plant life. Parks Victoria information states that Mount Buffalo was originally three times its present height, and today encompasses more than 90 kilometres of walking trails.

At the base of the monolith a short ascent was made towards the top of the large granite boulder. In days before health and safety was a consideration, this larger boulder was the place where stupidity seemed to reign supreme. You name it, someone probably did it. This location provided some of the best photo opportunities of the day with Lake Catani below us.

After taking in the wonderful views, it was time to retrace our steps a little. When we reached the Mount Buffalo Road again, the final peak option was the Lake View summit.

A short distance of one kilometre to the peak involved an ascent of about 130m. At the end of a day’s hiking this was enough to get the blood really pumping, if it hadn’t been till now. This summit was the second highest for the day at about 1460m. We could look back at where we had been at the Monolith and had another clear view of Lake Catani below. A well-earned rest, customary group photo and discussion of humorous children’s books about animal poo (thanks Ingrid and Jeanette) was enough to call it a day.

The return downhill was a blessing, and we soon met up with others who had declined the final short hike. In the meantime our wonderful drivers for the day assisted the group by walking one kilometre back to their cars to return and pick up their passengers.

Today’s walk was a total of 15.1km and completed in 6.5hours with about 930m of ascent made during the day. Enough exercise and effort to make one sleep like a baby. Especially after a well-deserved glass of wine. Not mentioning any names. Shirley.

Thanks to everyone who participated in the walk. Only about 75km of other trails to complete in the Mount Buffalo National Park.

Michael Braendler