Buchan Caves Reserve Bushfire Recovery
Parks Victoria and the Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation (GLaWAC) are rebuilding visitor facilities at Buchan Caves Reserve, following major bushfire damage in summer 2019/2020. Parks Victoria and GLaWAC are developing concept plans to improve the camping and roofed accommodation facilities, along with the restoration of the cave entrance buildings. The recovery work will allow visitors to enjoy the site again with improved facilities.
What is being delivered
Visitor amenities
- Upgrade of camp kitchen
- New interpretation facilities for cultural heritage
- Repairs to toilets
- Reconstructing tour guide facilities and access to walking tracks and lookouts
- Additional hazardous tree management works
Accommodation
- Planning is underway for the construction of new roofed accommodation at Buchan Caves Reserve
Recent completed works include
- Rebuilding of two bridges to provide vehicle access to the currently closed Fairy Cave
- Repairs to Royal Caves toilet block
- Removed hazardous trees
- Decontamination works
- Repairs to BBQs and park furniture
- Repairs to entrance retaining wall
Expected project duration and key dates
Works commence – mid 2020
Works complete – late 2022
Project funding
$1.7 million insurance funds
$2 million project funding
Other information
Buchan Caves Reserve on Krauatungalung Country, is highly significant to Gunaikurnai Traditional Owners due to its remarkable Aboriginal cultural heritage. The site features spectacular limestone cave formations – the largest cave system in Victoria - carved by an underground river almost 400 million years ago. Tours of the caves system offers the chance to see magnificent stalactite and stalagmite forms, pillars, shawls and rim pools, as well as cave sediment and a flowing stream.
