Feeling like a weekend getaway? Escape to East Gippsland and spend some time exploring the remarkable Buchan Caves. Located underneath a forest floor, this space is the largest cave system in Victoria. This subterranean network of ancient limestone formations was carved out by an underground river almost 400 million years ago. Take a guided tour to see Fairy Cave, Royal Cave, or both, then stick around for picnics, walking trails and more on the surface. Let’s dive in!
Buchan Caves Reserve in Gippsland
There are hundreds of caves located in the area, and the only way to explore the caves is to take a guided tour. Follow an ancient watercourse down into either Fairy Cave or Royal Cave. Both of them are about 500 metres long. Encounter calcite-rimmed pools, stunning limestone sculptures, awesome caverns and plenty of stalactites and stalagmites.
If you have time, it’s good to experience both of the caves. But, if you need to pick one, you should know that Fairy Cave has about 100 more stairs, as well as more small passageways. Tours take 45 minutes to an hour to complete.
If you’re short on time, you can also book a tour to the Blackwood Chamber, which offers a small but unique glimpse to the cave system. You’ll see stalactites and stalagmites, and the tour takes about 20 minutes to complete.
Guided tours must be booked online 24 hours in advance. If there’s availability, tickets can also be purchased on the day.
The Buchan Caves Reserve is about an hour away from Bairnsdale, and 45 minutes away from Lakes Entrance, so it’s a great place to stop and explore if you’re driving around Gippsland.
What else can you do?
Located on Krauatungalung Country, the Buchan Caves Reserve was traditionally an important meeting place for Gunaikurnai people. It was a place to camp and meet during seasonal migrations both to and from the mountains.
You can spend the night at the Buchan Caves campground. There’s 41 powered sites and 20 unpowered sites to choose from. Relax and gaze at the rare and exotic trees around the leafy campground, and enjoy facilities like hot showers, barbecues, a camper’s kitchen and more. Unwind with a leisurely picnic on the grassy reserve, and admire the stunning autumn foliage. If you don’t feel like cooking, take a stroll to Buchan for a bite at the pub or cafe.
If you don’t feel like camping, you could spend the night in the historic Caves House instead. This three-bedroom house is the former residence of the Moon family, who ran tours of the caves in the early 1900s. It has a kitchen, dining room, lounge room, showers and heating, and is also the only place on the reserve where dogs are allowed.
Stretch your legs and go on one of the nearby walking trails, and keep a lookout for local wildlife. Amble past moss-covered gullies, take in stunning views of Buchan Valley, meander through rainforest and cross over creeks. As you walk, see if you can spot any kangaroos, brush-tailed possums, lyrebirds, kookaburras and more. Over 100 species of birds have been recorded around the reserve, making it the perfect place to go birdwatching.
If you get a bit hot, take a dip in the beloved Buchan Pool. This historic pool features icy-cold water that comes straight from the caves.