Buchan Caves are nestled in the 295 hectares of Buchan Caves Reserve in the scenic and rugged East Gippsland in Victoria State, 360 kilometers east of Melbourne. This forest and woodland reserve is famous for the hundreds of underground limestone caves with beautiful honeycomb-like formations. The 400 meters long Royal Cave and the 500 meters long Fairy Cave are the two most famous Buchan Caves. Buchan Caves Reserve is in Australia's Aboriginal Region and is inhabited by the Gunaikurnai who were the first people and are the designated traditional custodians of the land the Buchan Caves Reserve is in.
Buchan Caves Formation History
Buchan Caves were formed over thousands of years by underground rivers that flowed and cut through the limestone rock by dissolving it. Eventually, this left chambers and passageways that today are the caves. Today those rivers have dried up or changed course but in wet seasons small flows appear. The beautiful honeycomb formations are created by rainwater seeping through tiny cracks on the limestone rock and dissolving some of it. As each droplet comes through the ceiling it releases carbon dioxide and crystallizes into small calcite rings. Over the years this process continues and the stalactites keep forming on the caves' ceilings.
Buchan Caves Tours
Buchan Caves tours are done daily all year except for Christmas day. Advance booking for the caves' tours tickets is required for visitors and is done online before midnight of the previous day before visiting. Check-in is done at least 30 minutes before visiting time so that tickets are collected and instructions on cave tours given by stewards. The cave tours typically take 45 minutes to an hour. Photography or filming is allowed but tripods, monopods, and selfie sticks are not allowed into the caves. Eating, drinking, and smoking are prohibited too. Visitors can go into the caves only with guides and since the temperature is 17 degrees it's advisable to wear warm clothes.
Costs
- Adult: $23:70
- Child: $14:00
- Senior Citizen: $19:80 (Concession Ticket Type)
- Family: (2 adults, 2 children 5 - 16 years) $65.70
What else to do or see at Buchan Caves Reserve
Camping and Lodging at Cabins and Caves House
Buchan Caves Reserve camping sites are nestled among rare and exotic trees in lush and manicured grounds first landscaped in the 1930s. The sites are suited for families and individuals. There are 41 powered campsites and 20 unpowered sites with tents. The tents can host up to 6 people and have bunk beds and fridges. The commonly shared campgrounds have toilets, laundry, hot showers, a camper's kitchen, and wood and electric-fired barbeques amenities. The campgrounds are near a brook and the lyrebirds serenade the lush environment. There are cabins with double beds and bunk with three single beds, showers, toilets, microwave, and kitchenette. There is also a historic Caves House that offers more luxurious accommodation. The Cave House has three bedrooms that accommodate eight people. Outdoor fires are also allowed on the grounds with the campsites, cabins, and the Caves House.
Birding and See Wildlife
Buchan Caves Reserve has over 100 bird species that include the white-winged choughs, bell miner, wonga pigeon, Australian boobook, Australian owlet-nightjar, superb lyrebird, powerful owl, and pied currawong. Kangaroos, wallabies, wombat, echidnas, and platypus are other wildlife that is seen. At night the brush-tailed possums come out at night. Visitors are not allowed to feed the wildlife they see and dogs and pets are not allowed in the reserve.
Picnicking
At the Buchan Caves Reserve, there are great sites for picnics that are equipped with electric and wood fuel barbeques, tables, and shelters. Families and friends can picnic at these different sites. There is a playground and swimming pool as well.
Explore The Trails
At Buchan Caves Reserve there are five walking trails that visitors can explore while enjoying the nature and wildlife around them. Strong and comfortable shoes like hiking boots with good tread are required to venture these trails. While walking on the trails visitors are advised to carry lots of water and not stray off them. These walking trails are:
- The 0.5 kilometers Moon Hill Walk-This trail has viewpoints of the Buchan Caves Reserve and the Valley. It passes by the Moon Cave and a large collapsed cave system called the Devil's Punchbowl.
- The 3 kilometers Spring Creek Walk- Along this steep trail visitors see the Buchan Caves Limestone and Snowy River Volcanics rock types. The trail is littered with mossy rocks, ferns, and Kanooka trees. The Australian king parrot, lyrebird, kookaburra, Gippsland water dragon, and other wildlife are seen on this trail.
- The 4 kilometers Caves Reserve Track- This trail starts at a playground and ends up at the campground while crisscrossing through Spring Creek and the Granite Pools walking trails.
- The 4 kilometers Granite Pools Walk- This trail is steeper and offers hikers great views of the scenic Buchan Valley. It winds its way around tall trees and moss-covered gullies. Lyrebirds on this trail "sing" for the hikers to hype their walk.
- The 2 kilometer FJ Wilson Interpreted Walk-This trail starts 100 meters east of the visitor's Centre and passes the exit route of the Royal Cave, and ends near the Fairy Cave entrance. On this trail, visitors can hear the bell miner and lyrebird singing, see natural steps made of limestone, see fossils on the Royal Cave limestone wall, and discover stream passages that formed the magnificent Buchan Caves.
Dining
Within Buchan Caves Reserve there is Buchan Caves Hotel and a cafe where visitors can dine on meals and have drinks.