Traveller safety information

The Reserve was established to cater to the needs of the thousands of visitors who visit the caves each year.

• Spend time in the Visitor Information and Interpretation Centre and learn more about our natural and cultural heritage.
• Visit the caves. Guided tours are conducted daily in Royal Cave and Fairy Cave. Both caves are lit and have concrete pathways. Royal Cave features beautiful calcite-rimmed pools; Fairy Cave features elaborate stalactites and stalagmites.
  Tour Times:
  

  October to Easter ~ Royal Cave (more tours during peak periods - approx every half hour)	10.00am, 1.00pm, 3.30pm.
  October to Easter ~ Fairy Cave (more tours during peak periods - approx every half hour)	11.15am, 2.15pm.
  Post  Easter School Holidays to September	11.00am (Royal Cave), 1.00pm (Fairy Cave), 3.00pm (Royal Cave)

  
  Please note: Limited Numbers Taken Per Tour
• Special cave tours (some of which involve donning a helmet and light) for small groups are offered during the school holidays and may be organised by prior arrangement.
• Walk the Spring Creek Track (90 minutes return) or try the shorter walks in the area.
• Swim in the pool fed by a natural spring.
• For further enquiries please email buchanvisitorcentre@parks.vic.gov.au

• The Reserve has a swimming pool, playground, walking tracks, picnic ground, toilets, and Visitor Information and Interpretation Centre. Light snacks and refreshments are available at the Visitor Centre.
• There are 49 powered and many more unpowered campsites. Booking is required at Christmas and Easter school holiday periods.
• Fully self-contained units are also available and bookings are required all year round.
• Guided cave tours operate regularly every day except Christmas Day.
• Guided cave tours may be booked in advance for large groups organised by schools or coach companies.
• Motel and cabin accommodation is available in Buchan.

Fees

The caves were reserved in 1887, though largely by accident - they were on land set aside for stock camping. The government commissioned an exploration soon afterwards and reserved the land to protect the caves.

In 1907, Frank Moon discovered the Fairy Cave which was opened to the public later that year. Royal Cave was discovered in 1910 by Frederick Wilson and after an entrance tunnel was excavated, it was opened to visitors in 1913. The Caves Reserve was set out and planted mostly in the late 1930s.

Aboriginal Traditional Owners
Parks Victoria acknowledges the Aboriginal Traditional Owners of Victoria - including its parks and reserves. Through their cultural traditions, the Guani / Kurnai identify the Buchan Caves Reserve as their Traditional Country.
Further information is available from Aboriginal Affairs Victoria AAV and Native Title Services Victoria .

Buchan Caves Reserve is home to many native animals including the Eastern Grey Kangaroo. More than 60 species of birds have been sighted in the reserve.

Hundreds of deciduous trees and native trees have been planted in the Buchan Caves Reserve.

• Pets are not allowed in the Reserve.

Buchan Caves Reserve is 360 km from Melbourne, north of Lakes Entrance (Melway ref: 529 D3). From Bairnsdale, drive to Bruthen and take the Buchan Road.

Buchan Bus 'n' Freight route service operates Monday, Wednesday & Fridays. This public bus service departs Bairnsdale railway station at 2:50pm and arrives in Buchan at 4:40pm. For bookings call 5155 0356 or 0428 313 897. For a timetable check www.buchanbusnfreight.com.au/timetable.htm.

Buchan show caves, into which tours are run daily, are generally inaccessible to people with a disability because of the cramped and sometimes steep paths with many steps. The Reserve above ground is well equipped with facilities for picnickers and campers, and facilities have a reasonable level of accessibility.

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• Lake Tyers Forest Park
• Mitchell River National Park
• Snowy River National Park