In Mount Buffalo National Park, you’ll find the historic Mount Buffalo Chalet. Built in 1910, this picturesque building is perched at the top of Bents Lookout, and offers unforgettable views of the Gorge. This Grande Old Dame is the largest timber accommodation building in Australia, and is listed on both the Victorian Heritage Register and the National Heritage List. It closed in 2007, and after nearly 18 years, this majestic building will soon reopen for visitors. It will feature a cafe and an information centre as well as transform into an outdoor education centre for students. In the future, accommodation will also be available for individuals and groups.
Mount Buffalo Chalet
The future of Mount Buffalo Chalet has been secured with a 40-year lease with Belgravia Group. They will open the Chalet for experiential learning programs, so that students across Victoria can learn to connect with nature. The building is expected to welcome over 5000 students a year. These camps are expected to begin in February 2025.
“At the Mount Buffalo Chalet, students will embark on journeys that not only connect them with nature but also build resilience, leadership and teamwork skills that last a lifetime,” said Belgravia Outdoor Education CEO Richard Thornton.
Not a student? Don’t worry, you can always visit the cafe and information centre, which will both be open all year round. The cafe is expected to open in early 2025.
The Victorian Government has invested $2.8 million in maintenance and conservation works on the Chalet. An additional $1.8 million was used for the cafe and outdoor education centre. Meanwhile, a further $3 million will help conserve the façade on the building through tricky alpine conditions.
“Reopening the chalet has been a long-held dream for many people in the local community, and across Victoria,” said Parks Victoria Board Chair John Pandazopoulos. “It’s a place with many special memories and a lot of history.”
Find out more about the Chalet here.