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Buchan Caves Guided Tours
Experience the extraordinary underworld of Buchan Caves on a guided tour of Fairy Cave and Royal Cave. It's amazing to think that the elaborate limestone sculptures, calcite-rimmed pools and baroque stalactites and stalagmites have all formed through natural processes over thousands of years.
A guided tour is the only way to see the spectacular Buchan Caves caverns. Tours are available daily, except Christmas Day. Tickets must be purchased online 24 hours in advance, they are not available to purchase in person on the day.
Following an ancient watercourse, visitors can descend into the Fairy Cave and Royal Cave sections to see breathtaking caverns and remarkable limestone formations. The main difference between the two is in ease of access with Fairy Cave featuring more small passageways and more stairs to traverse.
Due to rock movement, a section of the Fairy Cave tunnel leading to the Black Wood chamber is currently closed. While works are being carried out, an altered Fairy Cave tour is available with more time to take in visual displays not normally seen on a standard tour.
Things to do in the area
Buchan Caves Reserve Campground
Buchan Caves Reserve Accommodation
Family activities
How to get there
Buchan Caves Guided Tours
When you're there
Single cave tour times
Royal Cave
- Start of September school holidays until 31 May - 10.00am, 12.45pm, and 3.15pm Monday to Friday with additional tours on Saturday and Sunday 10.30am, 11.45am, 1.15pm and 2.30pm
- 1 June until the start of September school holidays - 11.00am and 2.00pm
Fairy Cave
- Start of September school holidays until 31 May - 11.15am and 2.00pm
- 1 June until the start of September school holidays - 12.45pm
Note: More tours will be made available during peak periods.
Limited numbers taken per tour, please pre-book all tours online prior to arrival. Visitors must arrive 30-45 minutes prior to a tour commencing to collect tickets and prepare. Late arrivals will not be able to join the tour.
Buchan Caves Reserve is a great place to linger after seeing the caverns. A number of walking trails criss-cross the park, which is also home to a campground and Caves House accommodation. Make a weekend of it and stay over.
Download the Buchan Caves visitor guide before you come.
When to go
Guided Cave Tours
Need to know
Buchan Caves Guided Tours
Accessibility
Both Fairy Cave and Royal Cave have many steps, narrow passageways and uneven ground making general cave access for visitors with significant mobility limitations not possible. For those with reduced mobility, we recommend The Royal Cave, our easiest 'standard' tour.
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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Buchan Caves Day Visitor Area (Buchan (AT) Cave Reserve)
Buchan Caves Reserve swimming pool reopening update
Parks Victoria and GLaWAC are investigating whether the Buchan Caves pool can potentially be reopened during the summer period.Water flow and water quality are being monitored and tested during this investigation.Parks Victoria will continue to provide regular updates to the community about possible re-opening of the pool. -
Notices Affecting Multiple Parks
Ground shooting operations targeting deer
Ground shooting operations targeting deer will be undertaken in this Park from December 2022 to June 2023. The park will remain open for visitors during ground shooting operations.For more information about deer control to protect biodiversity, please visit this link.Ground shooting operations targeting deer
Ground shooting operations targeting deer will be undertaken in these Parks from December 2022 to June 2023.Some access restrictions may apply. Please observe local signage.Alpine National Park (Bogong High Plains, Mount Bogong, Dinner Plain, Dargo High Plains, Foothills and Southern Alps)Buchan Caves ReserveBurrowa-Pine MountainCape Conran Coastal ParkCabbage Tree Creek Flora ReserveErrinundra National ParkHowitt-Wellington PlainsLake Tyers State ParkMount Baw Baw National ParkMount Buffalo National ParkMount Mittamatite Regional ParkMount Mitta Mitta Flora ReserveMount Lawson State ParkMount Granya State ParkMountain Creek Education AreaPheasant Creek Flora ReserveWabba Wilderness ParkWilsons Promontory National Park