Buchan Caves Reserve Flood and Fire Recovery

Buchan Caves Reserve is one of fourteen joint-managed parks within Gippsland. The Joint Management Agreement between Parks Victoria and Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation (GLaWAC) recognises that Gunaikurnai Traditional Owners hold Native Title and an intrinsic connection to Country. Parks Victoria and GLaWAC are working in partnership to protect the cultural and environmental values of the reserve and deliver memorable visitor experiences.  A Cultural Heritage Management Plan for the reserve has been approved. 

 

Recovery projects 

Black Summer bushfires 2019-2020

The Black Summer bushfires of 2019-20 heavily impacted Buchan Caves Reserve and destroyed many facilities including the cabins and wilderness retreats, Guide Hut and walking track structures such as lookouts and bridges.

Planning and design are underway to replace fire affected assets as well as upgrade lost accommodation and visitor facilities.

 

December 2023 flood

Further to the Black Summer Bushfires, Buchan Caves Reserve experienced an extreme flooding event on Boxing Day 2023. 

More than 60 millimetres of rain fell in 30 minutes, causing major damage. Buildings and bridges were inundated, with large volumes of debris and silt spread throughout the reserve. The road network was severely damaged, with 700 metres of asphalt surface stripped away by floodwaters. During the initial clean-up phase more than 250 tonnes of debris was cleared. 

A significant amount of work was completed to allow the Buchan Caves Reserve to re-open in March 2024. Some works are still underway to restore flood impacted facilities. 

Find out about recovery projects underway below.

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Buchan Caves Reserve flood Dec 2023

New asphalt and linemarking outside the visitor centre at Buchan Caves Reserve.
New bollards and rocks are installed along the boundary of an asphalt road.
New asphalt and linemarking at the carparking in Buchan Caves Reserve.
Caves Road into Buchan Caves Reserve with asphalt lifted and moved by flood water
250 tonnes of vegetation debris from the December 2023 flood burned at Buchan Caves Reserve
Buchan Caves Reserve power and water services damaged in December 2023 flood

Last updated: April 2025

 

Concrete steps lead up to a stone structure with an open doorway and corrugated iron roof.

Pictured above: The repaired entrance to the Fairy Cave.


Fairy Cave entrance - completed March 2025

Works to rebuild the timber log structure and roof of the Fairy Cave entrance are complete, and the entrance and tours have reopened to the public.

FJ Wilson Walking Track repairs - completed November 2024

The FJ Wilson Track was damaged in the Boxing Day 2023 flood. Works have been completed, and the track was re-opened to visitors in time for the summer peak period.

Royal Cave entrance tunnel

The entrance tunnel to the Royal Cave was damaged in the Boxing Day 2023 flood. An engineer has assessed the damage and is providing recommendations on the remediation and design needed to safely re-open the entrance.

Guide Hut rebuild

Following the Boxing Day 2023 flood, a flood modelling assessment was completed to inform future works. In response to this assessment, the existing designs for the Guide Hut have been amended to make the new building more resilient to flood. Permits are now being sought for the revised design, prior to procurement.

Roofed accommodation

The project will see the replacement of two cabins that were destroyed by the fires, creating an improved visitor experience with all-weather cabins and materials that are bushfire compliant. Designs have been developed with consideration of the flood modelling assessment and approvals are currently being sought.

North Arm flood mitigation

Designs are complete for a swale drain on the eastern side of the North Arm. This will divert surface water runoff into Spring Creek during heavy rainfall, reducing the potential impacts of flooding in the North Arm. Procurement is underway and works can start after we've received all of the relevant permits and approvals.

Cultural gathering space

Planning and procurement are underway to create a cultural space, where visitors can connect with each other and reflect on the cultural significance of the reserve.

Spring Creek Track works

The fire-damaged structures along the walking track, including the pedestrian bridge, viewing platform, steps, edging and handrails need to be replaced. We've identified a preferred contractor to complete these works and the process to award the contract is underway.

Caves Road bridge repairs

The bridges along Caves Road were damaged in the Boxing Day 2023 flood. We've engaged a contractor to undertake remediation works and install rock armor to safeguard the structure.

Campground Track and Moon Hill track works

Procurement is underway to secure a contractor for the completion of remediation works following the Boxing Day 2023 floods.

Heritage and Linakar tree replanting

A significant collection of specimen trees, which were part of a planting scheme developed in the 1920s by landscape designer Hugh Linaker, were lost in the drought, bushfire and floods. Permits are being sought for a replanting program.

Buchan Caves Reserve flood recovery update

Initial recovery and clean-up works are underway at Buchan Caves Reserve following an extreme flooding event on Boxing Day.

Buchan Caves Reserve flood recovery update

Following the 2019-20 bushfires, much of the vegetation at Buchan Caves Reserve was burnt. Here is a behind the scenes look at the recovery process with our Area Chief Ranger (September 2020).

Project timelines

The following timelines are subject to assessments, permits, procurement, and on-ground and construction industry conditions. Timelines are currently under review following flood impacts and will be updated here as projects progress.

Royal Cave entrance tunnel: Remediation design will occur in early 2025.

Guide Hut upgrade: Work will start in mid-2025, subject to approvals.

Roofed accommodation: Work will start in mid-2025, subject to approvals.

North Arm flood mitigation: Work will start in the first half of 2025, subject to procurement and approvals.

Spring Creek Track works: Work will start in mid-2025.

Cultural gathering space: Work will start in mid-2025.

Caves Road bridge repairs: Construction is expected to start after ANZAC Day, in late April 2025.

Campground and Moon Hill track works: Works are expected to start in mid-2025.

 

Environmental management

Buchan Caves Reserve supports significant wildlife populations, with Eastern Grey Kangaroos and Brush-tailed Possums often seen throughout the reserve. Over 100 species of birds have been recorded, with King Parrots, White-winged Choughs, and Currawongs listed as common. Bats are known to use some caves for overwintering and roosting. Platypuses inhabit the reserve’s waterways, using Moon Cave as an important breeding location. The reserve has a variety of native and introduced vegetation, including several species listed as threatened under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988, such as Limestone Blue Wattle and Leafy Greenhood Orchid. The Linakar Tree Landscape Plan supports the heritage values of the reserve’s introduced plantings.

An application for a Flora and Fauna Guarantee Permit has been received. The permit will safeguard the native plants, animals and biodiversity within the reserve during on-ground works.

 

Putting safety first

Visitor safety is our number one priority when considering risk in parks. While nature will always be unpredictable, our projects and maintenance works help minimise risks and help people explore the great outdoors safely. At Buchan Caves Reserve and other flood-affected parks across the state, we're completing important assessments like flood modelling to determine how we can make our facilities and infrastructure more climate resilient into the future.

Parks Victoria is responsible for continuously managing and maintaining over 50,000 pieces of infrastructure across the state annually. We're also delivering new projects to help visitors get into nature. These are thoroughly planned and prepared to keep people and projects separate and safe.

When visiting a park where projects are happening, especially during construction, it's important that people follow the direction of signs, stay out of fenced and restricted areas, and listen to Parks Victoria staff and work crews.

 

Who we're working with

Parks Victoria and GLaWAC are working with East Gippsland Shire Council, East Gippsland Catchment Management Authority, Heritage Victoria and the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA).

 

Access changes

Although the flood repairs are largely complete, there are still a number of works to finish across the reserve. These works may cause minor disruptions, with intermittent closures to some areas to ensure the safety of visitors, staff and contractors. 

For more information about access to areas within Buchan Caves Reserve please visit Buchan Caves Reserve and check the change of conditions.

 

Project funding

$2.8 million has been provided by the Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions (DJSIR) and the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA), as well as insurance funds. The total budget will be confirmed once insurable asset amounts have been agreed.

 

Other information

 

 

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