There sure are a lot of stars out here you think as you stand high above the world atop Mount Buffalo. It’s the first time you’ve seen it – there in the dark patches of the Milky Way itself is a giant emu stretched across the universe: one of the most ancient of constellations tracked by our First Peoples.

As the dark emu slowly moves across the night sky, it tells us of the seasons. You can’t see it under suburban lights, but out here in the unspoiled darkness of Mount Buffalo National Park, you see the emu in all its glory. Tonight the emu’s head is pointing down, getting off his nest; the chicks must be hatching.

Your tent is pitched at the campground near the waters of Lake Catani, so still in the night that the starlight bounces off it. All around are the sweet noises of nature: a chirp here, a hoot there, and a bit of a fuss from a brush tailed possum too.

It's a lovely campground; it’s easy to drive to, has toilets and BBQ facilities, the tent sites are protected by snow gums aside a beautiful lake, and it's central to stunning walks, lookouts and waterfalls. There are even tour guides that will take you abseiling, rock climbing, caving and canoeing, and in winter, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.

As you chat with the others over a glass of mulled wine around the campfire, you can see your breath condensing in the cool alpine air.

"Glad I brought that extra warm sleeping bag," you laugh.

In the morning, you get up early, taking a thermos of coffee, to watch the sunrise from Bent’s Lookout at The Gorge. The darkness slowly fades revealing a mountainous horizon; a silhouette of blue in the dawn.

You’re as high as the clouds – 1,337m – and the view from up here is breathtaking.

Awestruck, you watch the sun poke above a distant mountain, its light slowly creeping across the valley turning it a resplendent green. The light now hits the soaring granite cliffs of the mountain with you upon it, warming you face and your soul. Most days you would still be asleep, but today you made the choice to be here, and you’re glad of it.

Back at camp, you and your posse eat breakfast by Lake Catani and watch the morning fog evaporate from its mirror-like surface. The day is young, and you chat about what to do next.

A friend of yours is in town and has invited you to play golf. Apparently, Bright’s 18-hole course is rather good. But you’re also keen to explore more of this unique granite mountain, with its giant boulders, alpine meadows and cascading waterfalls. What will it be?