Tuesday 5/04/2022 Cathedral Hump Track Carpark – The Hump (1680m) – The Leviathon – Torpedo Rock
Mount Buffalo National Park, VICTORIA
Taungurung Country
Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos, Report), Sue Davies
After summiting The Horn we walked the track to the summit of The Hump. The Rocky climb to the top ends with a series of massive granite tors with ladders to the summit. Again fantastic views from the top, especially to the neighbouring Cathedral and more distantly The Horn.
Max elevation: 1680 m
Total climbing: 233 m
Total descent: -233 m
Average speed: 2.81 km/h
Total time: 01:09:42
Pablo and Beth in front of The Cathedral from The Hump Track
On our return to our campsite at Lake Catani, we stopped off for a very short walk around the awesome Leviathon, a massive egg-shaped granite boulder that barely touches the ground. Adjacent to it are a number of other well-worn granite boulders of various shapes and sizes.
Our last stop was at Torpedo Rock. Much smaller than The Leviathon, its main interest is its interesting, elongated shape.
The Mount Buffalo National Park Visitor’s Guide states
Cathedral Hump Track 2km, 1 hour return
Starting at the Cathedral Picnic Area, the track leads past the spectacular Cathedral and onto the Hump summit for the views of Cresta Valley and the Horn.
Information on National Parks signage along the way
CATHEDRAL – HUMP TRACK
The Hump – 1 hour return
T HIS track provides access to the base of the Cathedral and a high lookout
on the Hump. The action of ice and water over millions of years has broken
away surrounding granite leaving the Cathedral as a massive solitary ‘tor’ and
the Hump as an extensive boulder field.
Climbers can often be seen clinging to the rock.
The 1km track climbs up to a saddle below the Cathedral. Continue left a further 500m steeply through thick Alpine Wattle and wildfire scarred Snow Gums to the Hump.
A hut was constructed here in the early 1930’s to provide shelter for some of the first skiers on Mount Buffalo. Cresta Valley was later chosen as a better site with Australia’s first ski tow being installed there in 1936.
The local flora, fauna, geology, history and some other walks (ChatGPT)
The park’s flora was incredibly diverse, with a variety of eucalyptus trees, such as the mountain grey gum and the alpine ash, dominating the landscape. These trees provided important habitats for many of the park’s animal species. Along with these, the park also featured dense pockets of rainforest, with mosses, ferns, and ancient tree species like the sassafras and the myrtle beech. Wildflowers such as the pink heath and the yellow button daisy covered the park’s meadows during the spring and summer months, adding splashes of color to the landscape.
The fauna of the park was equally diverse, with many species of marsupials and birds. Some of the most well-known inhabitants of the park included the mountain pygmy possum, which is a small marsupial that lives in the alpine regions and feeds on insects, the eastern grey kangaroo and the eastern rosella. Visitors could also spot reptiles such as the tiger snake and the eastern bearded dragon, which is a large lizard that can be found basking on rocks in the sun. The park was also home to a wide variety of bird species, including the black cockatoos, the lyrebirds and the superb lyrebirds.
The park’s geology was also noteworthy, with towering sandstone cliffs and rugged peaks formed by millions of years of erosion. The park was part of the Australian Alps and formed by ancient volcanic activity and uplift of the land. The park’s geology played a crucial role in shaping its unique ecosystem, with the different types of rock formations providing habitats for various species of plants and animals.
In addition to its natural wonders, the park had a rich history, with evidence of Indigenous occupation dating back thousands of years. Indigenous people used the area for hunting, gathering, and ceremonies, and their rock art can still be found in the park today. European settlers also left their mark on the park, with many of the park’s trails following the paths of early explorers and loggers. The park was also used for grazing and mining in the past, and many of the park’s historic structures, such as huts and mines, can still be found in the park today.
Some of the best walks in the park include:
1. The Horn Walk: This walk takes you to the summit of Mount Buffalo’s highest peak, The Horn. The trail is steep and challenging, but the views from the top are spectacular and well worth the effort. The walk is about 2km return and takes around 1 hour to complete.
2. The Gorge Walk: This is an easy and popular walk that takes you through the beautiful Gorge Creek valley. The trail follows the creek and passes through a variety of different habitats, including rainforest, fern gullies, and rocky outcrops. The walk is about 2.5 km return and takes around 1 hour to complete.
3. The Sentinel Walk: This walk takes you to the base of the Sentinel, one of the park’s most impressive rock formations. The trail is steep and rocky, but the views of the Sentinel and the surrounding landscape are breathtaking. The walk is about 3km return and takes around 2 hours to complete.
4. The Eurobin Falls Walk: This walk takes you to the base of Eurobin Falls, a beautiful waterfall that cascades down the mountain. The trail is relatively easy and takes you through a variety of different habitats, including rainforest and eucalyptus forest. The walk is about 4 km return and takes around 2 hours to complete.
5. The Lookout Walk: This walk takes you to the summit of Mount Buffalo’s second highest peak, The Lookout. The trail is steep and challenging, but the views from the top are spectacular and well worth the effort. The walk is about 5km return and takes around 3 hours to complete.
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