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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.
Step inside Fairy Cave or Royal Cave and discover exquisite limestone decorations that come straight out of a fantasy film set.
A guided tour is the only way to see the awesome caverns of Buchan Caves. Tours are available everyday, except Christmas Day. Tickets must be purchased online 24 hours in advance, they are not available to purchase in person on the day.
Which cave should you choose? One cave is not better than the other; they are just different. It's like asking what is the best food on a menu.
The main difference between the two is in the ease of access. Fairy Cave requires a lot more bending down and has approximately 100 more stairs than the Royal Cave.
COVID-19 safety procedures and conditions of entry into caves
In line with current regulations, the following COVID-19 safe practices have been implemented:
- If you feel unwell, please stay home and get tested.
- Face masks must be worn, unless you have a lawful reason not to. Children 12 years and under are not required to wear a mask.
- Hand sanitation stations are located at the entry and exit of each cave tour and must be used as a requirement of entry.
- Regular sanitising of all handrails is carried out every day in line with current guidelines.
- People with lawful reasons for not wearing a face mask should still keep at least 1.5 metres apart from others, practice regular hand hygiene by washing or sanitising hands frequently and get tested if unwell.
- Visitors/patrons should be aware that their tour group may include people who have a lawful reason to not wear a mask.
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
Cave tour times:
- Royal Cave: start of September school holidays until 30 April - 10.00am, 11.15am, 12.45pm, 2.00pm and 3.15pm Monday to Friday with additional tours on Saturday and Sunday 9.30am, 10.45am, 12.15pm, 1.30pm and 2.45pm
- Fairy Cave: currently closed
- Royal Cave: 1 May until the start of September school holidays - 11.00am and 3.00pm
- Fairy Cave: 1 May until the start of September school holidays - 1.00pm
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. However, the end section of Fairy Cave can be accessed by children and adults weighing less than 60kg with mobility limitations using an electric Stairclimber. This equipment enables visitors to experience one of the most spectacular viewing areas of Fairy Cave.
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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Spring Creek Walk (Buchan (AT) Cave Reserve)
Buchan Caves Reserve partial closures due to fire
The following severely fire effected areas remain closed within the reserve for safety reasons;· Caves Reserve walking track· Spring Creek walking track - Kanooka Track is open, Tea Tree Track remains closed -
Buchan Caves Reserve
Hazardous tree removal at Buchan Caves Reserve
Hazardous tree removal works will commence in Buchan Caves Reserve from Tuesday 9 February 2021.Contractors will be on-site removing a large volume of damaged trees from the December 2019 bushfires within the Buchan Caves Reserve Visitor Centre, Buchan Caves Reserve Campground, Royal Cave, Fairy Cave, Spring Creek Walk, and Buchan Caves Swimming Pool.Noise from contractors undertaking the tree removal works is to be expected within these areas during this time. Large machinery and equipment will also be operating within certain areas of the reserve. Some areas will also have limited access. Visitors need to adhere to safety signage and controls in place during this period.These works are essential to ensure the safe reopening of popular visitor areas and are part of Park Victoria's bushfire recovery work.