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Buchan Caves

HOT: Buchan Caves, Buchan

**In response to advice from the Victorian Chief Health Officer about COVID-19, cave tours are closed until further notice. Amenities that remain closed are the showers, laundry, barbecues, fireplaces and camp kitchen. For more information, please visit www.parks.vic.gov.au/covid19**

Underneath the tiny East Gippsland town of Buchan lies a honeycomb network of caves full of spectacular limestone formations.

Buchan Caves

The Buchan Caves Gippsland network are possibly the most famous caves in Victoria. They were formed by underground rivers and rainwater dripping through limestone rock. Over centuries, stalactites are formed on the roof of the cave, and stalagmites build up from droplets which fall to the floor.

Buchan Caves

Parks Victoria operates guided tours within two of the cave networks – Royal Cave and Fairy Cave. Tours are conducted daily at various times and last for approximately one hour.

Buchan Caves

Buchan Caves – Royal Cave or Fairy Cave?

We are invited to visit Royal Cave as it just happens that Royal Cave Buchan is the cave touring at the time of our visit. From what I can tell the visual experience between Royal Cave and Fairy Cave is very similar so there’s no need to time your visit particularly for one cave or another if you’re new to Buchan Caves. Buchan Caves tour times change depending on the day of the week and time of year.

Buchan Caves

Double tours of both caves are available but I don’t think necessary for the average cave enthusiast. 

Buchan Caves


Find Hotels and Airbnbs near Buchan Caves, Buchan


Both caves are lit and have concrete pathways. However, it is not a suitable experience for young children or prams as there are a lot of steps (150 steps at Royal Cave, 200 steps at Fairy Cave), the pathways are narrow and the tour may be quite long for little legs so you may be forced to carry your child.

buchan caves

Certainly, by the end of the hour Lady AB and Baby 2.0 have had enough of the darkness. Fortunately it is not as cold as I expect and you can get away with a light jumper/cardigan.

buchan caves

Prebooked special cave tours (some of which involve using a helmet and light) are available for small groups during the school holidays. I think this would only be of interest for true cave enthusiasts.

Buchan Caves

If you have accessibility issues an electric Stairclimber enables access to one section of Fairy Cave for children and light adults weighing up to 60 kgs. Note that there is an extra fee for the use of the Stairclimber.

Buchan Caves

Due to the popularity of Buchan Caves a reserve was established with a Visitor Information and Interpretation Centre, toilets, playground, campsites and free parking. In the summer there is a free pool fed by a natural spring.  There are also several walking tracks within the reserve.

Buchan Caves Victoria is one of the must-do attractions within East Gippsland and is easily accessible from the major towns of Bairnsdale and Lakes Entrance. Bring your camera and learn about the geography of the area as well as the formation of these spectacular caves.

For Buchan Caves accommodation there are 49 powered and many more unpowered campsites plus some fully self-contained units. You can even go for Buchan Caves glamping with Wilderness Retreats! Advance booking for all campsites is required and Christmas and Easter school holiday periods are particularly busy.  Motel and cabin accommodation in Buchan is also available.

Parks Victoria offers social script resources for Buchan Caves for children on the autism spectrum. The social scripts have been developed with the professional assistance of AMAZE

The social script has photographs and simple text to show children what they may see and experience during a visit to a park. You can read them this resource or download the Word document to print out. You can also cut and paste the pages to create a story that best suits your child and your planned park visit.

More things to do in East Gippsland with kids

Tips for Buchan Caves:

  • Caves are only accessible with a tour;
  • Guided cave tours operate regularly every day except Christmas Day;
  • Both caves are lit and have concrete pathways;
  • There are 150 steps during the tour of Royal Cave, 200 steps in Fairy Cave, so not suitable for prams;
  • No eating or drinking inside the caves or touching of the walls;
  • You can book tickets online up to midnight for the next day. However, if your schedule is flexible then you can buy tickets at the Visitor Information and Interpretation Centre on arrival;
  • Limited number of places available per tour. Pre-book online to avoid disappointment particularly during weekends, school and public holidays.
  • Temperature in the cave is a constant 17 degrees, just a light jumper is enough;
  • The Reserve has a swimming pool, playground, walking tracks, picnic ground, toilets, and Visitor Information and Interpretation Centre.
  • BBQ facilities or picnic tables;
  • Light snacks and refreshments are available at the Visitor Centre.
  • Dogs and other pets are not permitted in the park.
  • For Buchan Caves accommodation there are 49 powered and many more unpowered campsites. Advance booking is required and Christmas and Easter school holiday periods are particularly busy;
  • Fully self-contained units are also available and bookings are required all year round;
  • You can book Buchan Caves glamping with Wilderness Retreats;
  • Motel and cabin accommodation in Buchan is also available; we stay in Bairnsdale.

I hope this post has helped or inspired you! Get my awesome weekly newsletter in your inbox every week to find out more ways for your family to have fun together!

cropped Kristyna Hess Lockdown Portraits x

Joyce Watts is a former intellectual property, IT and media lawyer turned serial entrepreneur.

As well as being the founder of TOT: HOT OR NOT she helps businesses with their SEO, email marketing & social media as BrightSmart.com.au; she owns an online bike store CycleStyle.com.au and develops and produces creative experiences for families via WheelieGoodFun.com. She used to publish another popular lifestyle and food blog called MEL: HOT OR NOT The decisive guide to Melbourne.

She lives in inner-city Melbourne with her husband, two children and seven bikes.

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