Hidden beneath your feet, explore the magical Buchan Caves and marvel at ancient pillars, echoing caverns and tranquil pools, rich with Aboriginal heritage.

Wander through Victoria’s largest cave system taking in breathtaking sights carved by an underground river almost 400 million years ago. Above ground, the peaceful grassy reserve and babbling Buchan River is picnic-perfect and one of the best places in Australia to watch the night sky on a clear night.

The Buchan Caves are located around 4.5 hours from Melbourne, 1 hour northeast of Bairnsdale. Jump on the M1/Princes Hwy to Bairnsdale, and follow the Great Alpine Road to Bruthen, then roll through dense forest and foothills of the alpine region until you arrive at Buchan.

The Buchan Caves

Buchan Caves Reserve sits on Krauatungalung Country and is highly significant to the regions Traditional  Owners. The Gunaikurnai people called the Buchan cave area Buchan Munji, which was traditionally an important meeting place.

Time to grab your best Indiana Jones hat and take on the magnificent Buchan caves on a guided tour. Rest assured you can leave the flaming torch at home… your knowledgeable guide will take you through two cave systems: Royal and Fairy Caves, where you will learn about how the limestone formations, unique passageways and cavernous chambers were formed over the course of hundreds of millions of years.

Royal Cave is celebrated for its shimmering calcite-edged pools, while Fairy Cave dazzles with delicate stalactites and stalagmites, unfolding into chambers rich with intricate formations. Royal Cave is the easier of the two with more space, but if you’re down for a more stooped adventure, lock in the Fairy.

Both tours run daily, and booking ahead is strongly recommended.

THINGS TO DO NEARBY

• Explore the serene Buchan Caves Reserve. Short and sweet, the Moon Hill Walk takes in a small cave plus stunning views over Buchan township or challenge yourself with a more robust romp on the Granite Pools Walk or Spring Creek Walk.
• Pack your best picnic rug, favourite book and soak up the tranquil surroundings of the Reserve, to a background track of birdsong. The deciduous trees put on a spellbinding display across autumn.
• Grab a hearty pub meal and cold beer at the Buchan Caves Hotel. Across the road from the pub, Buchan Valley Roadhouse offers delicious burgers, hot coffee and local produce.
• Camp under a star filled sky – Fairy Cave Entrance and Bluff Reserve are two of the best stargazing spots in the state.
• Stroll through Buchan – one of Victoria’s oldest towns nestled amongst the Snowy and Buchan Rivers.
• Take the half an hour drive to the small town of Nowa Nowa and explore the surrounding forest and lake for a hike, cycle or kayak.
• Visit the Bluff Reserve where the Buchan River runs beneath a towering rock face, or head to Balley Hooley, the meeting point of Snowy and Buchan Rivers, where fishing and camping dreams come true.

YOUR GETAWAY ITINERARY AWAITS

DAY 1

Make a beeline straight for Buchan. Time your arrival with lunch from the Buchan Pub or the Roadhouse. Once you’ve recharged, hit the Buchan Caves Reserve.

Explore the majestic Buchan Caves on a guided tour, heading down to ancient limestone formations, pools and caverns.

Stretch those legs with a glorious walk around the Buchan Caves Reserve. You’ll find short walks ranging from 30 min to 2 hours, taking in smaller caves and offering magnificent views of the reserve and the Buchan Valley.

Between the reserve and the town, pop into The Bluff Reserve to see a looming rock face above a scenic section of the serpentine Buchan River. This is also one of Gippsland’s 13 best stargazing locations offering glimpses of the majestic night sky. If you are staying at the Buchan Caves Reserve, head to the entrance of Fairy Cave for another perfect stargazing nook.

 DAY 2

Take the quick, half-hour drive south towards Nowa Nowa. Just before you reach the town, pull into the Boggy Creek Gorge Lookout. Take the 1 km walk to the lookout for breathtaking vistas across the forest canopy and the creek winding off into the distance.

After exploring picnic-sized, historic Nowa Nowa, swing by Mingling Waters where you can grab some lunch and potter through their museum of wooden sculptures and gemstones. This is a well-known stop for riders along the East Gippsland Rail Trail, and you might smell the burgers before you see them.

Head to sacred Lake Tyers State Park where you can immerse yourself in 12km of forest trails to burn off those calories before dinner.

Day 3

Beach day! Venture south to Lake Tyers Beach, Lakes Entrance’s quieter neighbour, about a 15-minute drive from Nowa Nowa. The Stony Creek Trestle Bridge is a short detour from the main drag. One of the largest standing trestle bridges in Victoria, it’s a site to behold.

Once you reach Lake Tyers Beach, walk along the golden sands, enjoy a spot of fishing, swimming or surfing, or just laze around on your picnic blanket. No judgement here.

Finish off your day, and your visit with a meal from Lake Tyers Beach Tavern. The food is fresh, local and a seafood lover’s dream, and the view’s not bad either.