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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.
Book a ranger guided above ground tour. Walk and talk with a ranger through the valley of Buchan Caves Reserve or hike up Moon Hill and learn about the geology of the reserve.
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
Single cave tour times
Royal Cave
- Start of September school holidays until 31 May - 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
- 1 June until the start of September school holidays - 11.00am and 2.00pm
Fairy Cave
- Start of September school holidays until 31 May - 10.30am and 2.15pm
- 1 June until the start of September school holidays - 12.45pm
Double cave tour times
- Start of September school holidays until 31 May - 10.30am Fairy and 12.45pm Royal or 12.45pm Royal and 2.15pm Fairy
- 1 June until the start of September school holidays - 11.00am Royal and 12.45pm Fairy or 12.45pm Fairy and 2.00pm Royal
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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Buchan Caves Reserve
Closure of Buchan Cave Tours due to COVID 19 restrictions
At the direction of the Victorian Chief Health Officer, Parks Victoria has closed cave tours until further notice. Check our COVID-19 update for the latest information, and follow the health advice provided by the Department of Health and Human Services.Partial Closure of Spring Creek Walking Track
Kanooka Track is open but Tea Tree Track remains closed due to being fire and flood effected until further notice.
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Notices Affecting Multiple Parks
Deer Control (ground shooting) operation underway
Deer control is being undertaken in this park from October 2021 to June 2022. Some localised access restrictions may apply. Find out more about this program at https://www.parks.vic.gov.au/projects/deer-and-feral-animal-control-in-response-to-bushfireHazardous Tree Removal
Following the Black Summer 2019/2020 bushfires, damaged trees have become a significant risk to public safety and requires ongoing management in Buchan Caves Reserve.A large volume of hazardous tree material will be removed from the park visitor areas from October 11th to October 31st 2021.A hazardous tree has significant structural defects that increase the risk of falling, causing injury or death. These works are essential to ensure these popular visitor area remain open and is part of Parks Victoria's bushfire recovery work.
