Easter Adventure Awaits at Newly Reopened Buchan Caves Reserve in Victoria

Monday, March 18, 2024

The Buchan Caves Reserve is set to welcome back visitors just in time for the Easter holiday, following extensive efforts to repair the park after it was severely impacted by significant floods on Boxing Day. The gates will swing open on Tuesday, 26 March, offering access to its breathtaking caves, a key attraction and economic lifeline for the local area, with cave tours now available for booking during the Easter break.

Visitors will find most roads and trails accessible, albeit with some modifications, while the visitor center, shop, and swimming pool will be fully operational. Additionally, accommodation options including the campground and the historic Caves House will be available for reservation.

This scenic location, situated on Krauatungalung Country, features Victoria’s largest network of caves and is near the Snowy River National Park, which presents a range of outdoor adventures and local hospitality, including the Buchan Caves Hotel.

The reserve suffered extensive damage due to the Boxing Day floods, with over 60 millimeters of rain pouring down in just half an hour, affecting roads, bridges, buildings, and infrastructure, and causing considerable erosion and debris. The initial cleanup removed over 250 tons of debris.

A collaborative recovery initiative involving Parks Victoria, the Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation, the East Gippsland Catchment Management Authority, East Gippsland Water, Forest Fire Management Victoria, and numerous private entities, has made it possible to reopen the reserve safely to the public.

While the reserve has been largely restored, visitors may still notice some flood damage and certain areas may be temporarily off-limits. Travelers are encouraged to check the Parks Victoria website for the latest information before visiting.

Post-Easter, the reserve will undergo a brief closure to finalize road repairs, marking an important step towards recovery for the community and local businesses.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Environment Steve Dimopoulos

“This is an important place for community and local business and encourage people to visit this special landscape and take in its beautiful scenery and nature experiences.”

“This has been a complex program of recovery that will provide a needed boost to Buchan and the surrounding region.”

Quote attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria Tom McIntosh

“It’s great to see such an iconic Gippsland tourist back open for visitors, this will go a long way for the local businesses and deliver a boost of visitors for the Easter long weekend.”

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