Buchan Caves Reserve

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Buchan Caves Reserve

Buchan Caves Reserve is one of the jointly managed parks within Gippsland. The Joint Management agreement recognises the fact that the Gunaikurnai people hold Aboriginal Title and maintain a strong connection to Country. As custodians of the land, they are the rightful people who speak for their Country. These parks and reserves are cultural landscapes that continue to be part of Gunaikurnai living culture. For more information on Joint Management, please visit the Gunaikurnai Traditional Owner Land Management Board and the Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation.

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Discover a honeycomb of spectacular limestone formations carved by an underground river almost 400 million years ago at Buchan Caves. Tour the largest cave system in Victoria, enjoy a picnic in the scenic heritage-listed landscape or camp a night under the stars.

Join a tour of Fairy Cave or Royal Cave, or both and marvel at the magnificent stalactite and stalagmite forms, pillars, shawls and rim pools, as well as cave sediment and a flowing stream.

Come with a picnic basket in tow and enjoy a picnic among friends and family in the scenic Buchan Caves Reserve.

Keep an eye out for native wildlife who frequent the reserve. Kangaroos lay about the campground and visitor centre while native birds such as the Bell Miner, Powerful Owl, Superb Lyrebird and Pied Currawong can be seen perched among the trees.

Stay a night at Buchan Caves and choose from powered or unpowered campsites, the unique Wilderness Retreats or cabins.

Things to do in the area

Family kicking a football outside their tent

Buchan Caves Reserve Campground

There are a range of powered campsites that are located on flat ground and generally close to the public amenities block. The sites allow vehicles to be parked within a few metres of each site. Campsites generally have a lawn surface and most sides have shade from trees.

Mother and young daughter look at the rock formations in the Fairy Cave at Buchan Caves Reserve.

Cave tours

Take a tour and explore elaborate stalactites and stalagmites, and beautiful calcite-rimmed pools of the Royal and Fairy Caves.

A mother sits at a table with her younger daughter and watches her older daughter doing a cartwheel on the lawn of the residence at Buchan Caves Park.

Buchan Caves Reserve Accommodation

There are cabins in the reserve which are fully self-contained and sleep up to five people. The cabins are not accessible for wheelchairs but may be suitable for visitors who have some limited mobility. Access to the cabins is via a ramp and each cabin has an outside deck that is easy to get to.

Tours in the area

Bushwalking, four-wheel driving, horse riding, kayaking, rock climbing and mountain biking are just some of the many activities you can experience in Victoria's parks.

If you want to try something new or meet some like-minded people on your next visit to a park, contact a licensed tour operator.

Parks Victoria licenses tour operators who are experts in these activities and more. They will help you get the most out of your visit.

View all local tours

How to get there

Buchan Caves Reserve

When you're there

Download the Buchan Caves Reserve visitor guide for more information about the park and the plethora of experiences to be had in the area.

Buchan Caves Reserve Visitor Guide

Change of Conditions

Nature being nature, sometimes conditions can change at short notice. It’s a good idea to check this page ahead of your visit for any updates.

Buchan Caves Reserve

Closures due to COVID-19

At the direction of the Victorian Chief Health Officer, Parks Victoria has closed Buchan Caves Reserve until further notice. Check our COVID-19 update for the latest information, and follow the health advice provided by the Department of Health and Human Services.
Buchan Caves Swimming Pool (Buchan (AT) Cave Reserve)

Closure of Buchan Caves Swimming Pool

Parks Victoria wishes to advise visitors and campers the Buchan Caves Reserve* stream fed swimming pool will be closed as of 15 December 2019 as it does not meet the mandatory standards of the Public Health and Wellbeing Regulations 2009.

How we keep it special

Buchan Caves Reserve is on the Country of the Krauatungalung clan. Buchan Caves were traditionally an important meeting place for Gunaikurnai people and there is evidence going back more than 18 000 years of the important role they played. The Gunaikurnai and Victorian Government Joint Management Plan provides a description of joint management strategies and actions that are specific to Buchan Caves Reserve.

Buchan Caves Reserve Management Plan