Explore
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.
Buchan Caves Reserve on Krauatungalung Country, is highly significant to Gunaikurnai Traditional Owners due to its remarkable Aboriginal cultural heritage.
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/unpowered campsites or Caves House.
Things to do in the area
Cave tours
Buchan Caves Reserve Campground
Buchan Caves Reserve Accommodation
Wildlife
This area is well known for its wildlife. Keep an eye out for:
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.
How to get there
Buchan Caves Reserve
When you're there
Camping and Accommodation
Book your campsite or roofed accommodation prior to your visit.
Need to know
Buchan Caves Reserve
Accessibility
Visiting a park can be more of a challenge for people with disabilities, however in Victoria there are a wide range of facilities to help people of all abilities enjoy our wonderful parks around the state.
Parks Victoria's social script resources for children on the autism spectrum, have been developed with the professional assistance of AMAZE to increase the accessibility of its parks for people on the autism spectrum.
Assistance dogs are welcome in Parks Victoria parks and reserves. Entry requirements apply for parks and reserves that are usually dog prohibited, such as national parks.
Safety in nature
You can benefit both mind and body when you get outdoors to explore and experience Victoria's natural places. Before you go, take a look at our safety tips and check our changed conditions and closures information for a great visit.
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.
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Notices Affecting Multiple Parks
Buchan Caves Reserve partially closed due to bridge closure
Due to significant structural damage to Bridge 2, all vehicle and pedestrian access is closed into the main section of the reserve. The bridge is part of the main access road into the Buchan Caves.
In the interest of visitor safety the following areas of the park will remain closed to the public until safe access can be reinstated;
- Visitor Centre
- Guided tours through Royal and Fairy Caves
- Main picnic area
- Campground
also the following walking tracks
- Spring Creek Walking Track
- Caves Reserve Walking Track
- FJ Wilson Walking Track
- Granite Pools Walking Track
The following areas remain open;
- Access to walk or drive into the park as far as Moon Hill Walking Track
- River Flat and River Flat picnic area
- Swimming Pool Toilets
- Moon Hill Walking Track
- Moon Hill picnic area
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.
Bushfire recovery
Buchan Caves Reserve was affected by last summer’s bushfires. Go behind the scenes with our rangers to find out more about the recovery process.
